Covenant College students tally surveys filled out by Dade County residents. The survey seeks to learn what direction residents want the county to take. From left are: Chris Musser, Dee Peacock, Gail Hedden, Tesa Smith, Jimmy Gildard, Karen Sewell, Della Sneed, Gladys Duvall, Carrie Bryant and Maria Forman.The Dade County survey asked the following questions:• What do you like about Dade County?• Imagine the best possible Dade County: Describe it.• What challenges must be addressed?• What part can you play in developing Dade County?• What kind of businesses would you like to see come to Dade County?
The Dade County Chamber of Commerce wasn’t shy when it decided to ask residents five open-ended questions to see what future they hope to see for their scenic county in Georgia’s northwest corner.
Instead of mailing the survey, or setting out survey forms in public places, the Chamber enlisted help of students at Covenant College through economics professor Lance Wescher.
Starting in late March, the students spread out around the county to such locations as fast-food restaurants, grocery stores, businesses, social clubs, schools, government meetings, and even the jail to hand out surveys.
“It was hand-delivered,” Chamber Executive Director Chris Musser said. “The goal was really to get a very statistically representative sample of the population.”