For the first time, several Central Georgia governments are coming together for a development project they expect will benefit all of them.

They plan to grow business along, what they are calling, the "I-75 Corridor."

Community leaders say this will bring more people and business to the area.

If you get off the exit at Russell Parkway or Housers Mill Road, it will take you a few miles to find the nearest stores.

"Our goal is, if we can create a vision for the area, so that maybe we can keep it from being hodgepodges of gas stations and convenience stores," says Jay Flesher, Flint Energies' Economic and Community Manager.

Flesher is one of the people spearheading a group that aims to bring more business to the interstate.

Seven programs were cut and nine people have been let go at Fort Valley State University following a "lengthy, transparent review of the entire institution."

According to a statement issued Thursday from the President's Office, the programs being eliminated include General Business, Sociology, Computer Information Systems, English, Family and Consumer Sciences Education, Master of Science in History and Master of Arts in Teaching. For example, students can still take English courses, like English 1101, but can no longer receive a degree in the subject.

The statement says the programs are being eliminated due to failed attraction and graduating the number of students necessary to continue the programs. Staff who were let go, according to the statement, were offered one-year contracts that will end in 2016.

Jasmine South is a biology major at Fort Valley State University.

This summer, she was able to try her hand at toxicology through lab experiments with her mentor, assistant professor of Biology, Celia Dodd.

"Doing the research here that I've been doing this summer, I actually have more interest in toxicology now," South said.

Toxicology is the study of poisons.

"Things like pesticide exposure particularly in rural environments, have been correlated with diseases," said Dodd.

Thanks to a nearly $400,000 grant, students at Fort Valley State will also be able to study this infectious field.

Dodd, who is also a toxicologist, says it's important to get students interested, because while many may have never heard of the field, it makes a big impact on our environment.