Alachua County is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of only 15 local governments nationwide to join the 2025 Economic Mobility and Opportunity Peer Learning Cohort and Mini-Grant Program.
This opportunity is hosted by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and supported by the Gates Foundation.
This prestigious program provides selected communities funding and resources to develop and implement strategies that enhance residents' upward economic mobility. ICMA, the leading professional association for local government professionals, selected Alachua County through a competitive application process. It recognized its deep understanding of community needs and readiness to drive impactful change.
As part of the cohort, Alachua County will receive a $20,000 grant and access to professional development, coaching, peer learning, and expert guidance.
The county will use this opportunity to further its Forward Focus: Eastern Alachua County project, a long-term initiative to address economic disparities in historically underserved areas of the county. The ICMA grant will fund targeted assessments and strategic planning, building on community input and ongoing data analysis. Through several public listening sessions, residents have identified focus areas, including early childhood education, post-secondary opportunities, workforce development, and access to healthcare.
“This grant marks an important milestone in our Forward Focus initiative,” said Sean McLendon, Alachua County’s economic development manager. “Our partnership with ICMA will provide critical resources and national expertise that strengthen our efforts to create lasting economic opportunity in eastern Alachua County. We’re eager to put these tools to work in collaboration with our community.”
The Alachua County team will attend the first cohort meeting at the National Economic Mobility and Opportunity Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, from May 21-23, 2025. Over the coming year, the county will work closely with ICMA staff and fellow cohort members to exchange best practices and accelerate local progress.
For more information, contact Sean McLeandon at 352-538-3765 or smclendon@alachuacounty.us.
