Rural Initiative Project, Inc.

Rural Initiative Project, Inc. (RIPI), established May 10, 1996, is a Non-Profit organization formed for the purpose of preserving historic properties, providing affordable housing, and revitalizing economically impoverished communities in the Southeastern United States. By working with local leaders in planning, creation, and development of projects, RIPI strives to improve our locales.

“The will of the people is the best law.”




This website is dedicated to informing our readers of the various projects RIPI is involved with, along with dashes of local history.



Picture #2 - List of burials moved from the Happy Hill Cemetery for the Right of Way for Hwy 52.  There were 16 stones moved and only 15 bodies removed. No. 7 and No 8are both Viola Joyce Sutzer. Mrs. Sutzer has a tall stone and a flat stone.

Picture #3 - Year 2000 Forsyth County Tax Map showing 4 Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery lots
in yellow and one Baptist Church Cemetery lot in blue. The pale gray blocks are Happy Hill
Gardens Housing project that was demolished after 2005