The city of Oakwood has joined up with two colleges in its backyard to build a massive welcome sign off Interstate 985's Exit 17 by this fall. Oakwood, Gainesville State College and Lanier Technical College are hoping to complete the project by the fall, even though the sign won't gain permanence until January, when North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega and Gainesville State will be under one name. The colleges are fusing together under a plan the University System of Georgia says will increase system efficiencies and better serve students.