Tuesday, July 23, 2024–8:58 a.m.
-News Release-
The American Public Works Association (APWA) recently held its Annual Awards Banquet for the Georgia Chapter for 2024. The State Chapter recognizes outstanding achievement for employees, managers, and projects. Floyd County Public Works received an award for Project of the Year (< $1 Million) for the Chubb Road Improvement Project. In addition, Young Leader of the Year was awarded to Emma Wells for leading multiple projects and improvements as the Solid Waste Director.
Chubb Road Improvement Project – Project of the Year (< $1 Million) Award
Chubb Road is an old, country road of 3.3 miles that has been maintained by Floyd County for more than forty (40) years, except for 1,500 feet on the west end where it crossed the Dempsey Farm before connecting it to Booger Hollow Road. The section crossing Dempsey Farm was technically private with an easement to allow access and for Floyd County to maintain, but only as a gravel road. In 2020, Floyd County reached an agreement with the owners of the right of way. Funding was secured from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), SPLOST funds, and the County’s Capital Fund. The work done to see this project through to completion involved nearly 1,500 hours from start to finish. The project, originally budgeted at $511,000, came in under budget at $450,000.
Solid Waste Director, Emma Wells – Young Leader of the Year
Emma Wells joined Floyd County as the Solid Waste Director in 2021. She coordinates the operations at six (6) solid waste and recycling remote sites and manages the Rome-Floyd Recycling Center. In her three (3) years as director, Emma has implemented changes that will have lasting effects. The collection sites have seen many upgrades, with the biggest impact coming from resurfacing the driveway and parking at one of our busiest sites. With the help of volunteers from Berry College, another site received a pollinator garden. Emma secured two (2) grants from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to assist in hosting two (2) scrap tire collection events. Emma received her Master of Business Administration degree from Berry College in 2023.
“Emma came in three years ago to help provide needed support to our remote sites and the Recycling Center. She works daily to improve the environment, not only for her staff but for the public.” Public Works Director Michael Skeen says. “In addition, she has found low-cost or free resources to help fund the improvements and provide more services for our citizens.”
About the American Public Works Association (APWA)
The APWA serves professionals in all aspects of public works – a fact that sets it apart from other organizations and makes it an effective voice of public works throughout North America. With a worldwide membership of more than 32,000, APWA includes not only personnel from local, county, state/province, and federal agencies, but also private sector personnel who supply products and services to those professionals.
