September 2010 Newsletter

Featured Articles Annual Conference Update State of the Ports Luncheon Update on the Tax Commission Meeting Natural Resources Guide Link to Us Campaign  Natural Resources Guide It's here!!  It's here!! After literally years of work, the Economic Developers Guide to Natural Resources is NOW AVAILABLE!!!!  Big thanks to Natural Resources & Environment Committee Chair Andrew Welch with Georgia EMC.  He logged tons of hours and enlisted the help of numerous groups to make sure the content was correct and thorough. If you are an economic developer and have questions related to natural resources and/or the environment, this is your source!  Al Gore called it, "the single greatest resource I have ever seen - and that includes the internet I created."  Okay, so I made up that quote, but the underlying concept is the same. The Guide can be found at the Natural Resources & Environment Committee page (password protected). Link to Us!! Show Off Your Affiliation with GEDA Have you ever wanted to announce to the world that you were part of the world's greatest economic developers association, but tattoos seemed too painful and bumper stickers didn't seem strong enough?  Well, we have a great opportunity for you!  You can place the GEDA logo on your website (active members only, please) and let everyone know that you are a proud member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association.  Email us and ask for the logo - all we ask is that you place our web link, www.geda.org, on the site as well.  Thanks!

Annual Conference Update GEDA's 47th Annual Conference is right around the corner.  Are you registered yet?  We are expecting our biggest crowd in years, thanks in large part to all of the great work put in by Misti Martin and her committee.  The agenda is set; the food (and receptions) are being prepared; the award winners have been selected - it's time to head back to Savannah!!  There is STILL time to register if you haven't done so already.  Go to our Annual Conference page and register now.  There are still a very small number of rooms available at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott, so contact them to stay right in the middle of the action. For those of you already registered, this is a reminder that, with the exception of the Chairman's Awards Ceremony, all session are BUSINESS CASUAL ATTIRE.  For the opening night reception, awards ceremony and entertainment, the attire is COCKTAIL.  (For those of you who are like me and don't know what that means, cocktail attire usually means a suit and tie for men and a cocktail-length dress for the ladies.) We look forward to seeing you in Savannah! State of the Ports Luncheon in Atlanta  The Georgia Chamber and the Georgia Ports Authority are hosting the second annual “State of the Ports” luncheon on September 17 at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center in Atlanta. Registration will open at 11:30 a.m. and the luncheon will start at 12 noon. This event, which takes place the day after the annual State of the Ports in Savannah, will educate attendees about the importance and economic impact of Georgia’s deepwater ports, which are a crucial component to international commerce for our state and the entire nation. Anyone who is interested in learning how the ports connect our state’s economy to the markets of the world is highly encouraged to attend this event. Curtis Foltz, Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority, will be the featured speaker at this event and will provide: * A year-in-review of the Georgia Ports. * Insights as to how the Ports benefit our state and Atlanta, specifically. Click here to purchase tickets. Contact Margaret Bracey at 404/223-2478 with questions regarding this event. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Rebecca Jones at 404/223-2473.  Tax Reform Council Meeting Update on the Commission formed by HB 1405 GEDA Chairman Pat Topping presented to the Tax Council on Thursday, September 2nd in Macon.  GEDA will continue to present findings and comments to the Tax Council as they continue their fact-finding mission across the state.  GEDA encourages members to attend these session if possible and even make comments to the Council members when appropriate.  (Please keep in mind that any and all comments can be made public at any time.)  We also encourage you to periodically go to the Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians website to see other comments that have been submitted, support documentation and information on upcoming meetings. To read Chairman Topping's comments to the Tax Reform Council, click here.

Upcoming Events September 22-24 - 47th ANNUAL CONFERENCE!  Hotel rooms are available at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott.  (Mention GEDA to get our special low rate.) October 18 - Monthly Luncheon at the Marriott Buckhead. November 15 - Monthly Luncheon at the Georgia Tech Hotel & Conference Center. Welcome New Members Pat Wilson, Georgia Department of Economic Development John McKee, American Intercontinental University Greg O'Brien, Grubb & Ellis Brent Moye, Land Engineering & Development David McCulloch, Gwinnett Technical College Erica Rocker, College Park, GA Andrea Taylor, Douglas-Coffee Chamber/EDA Karen Fite, Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute Steven Hendrix, Southern Crescent Technical College Jeff Scruggs, Middle Georgia Technical College Bill Rogers, Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Add a Photo!!! Say Cheese! We are now up to 92 of you with photos posted online.  We're only 26% of the way to our goal of having 350 member photos online. It's so easy to add a photo ... Just go to Edit Your Profile and scroll about half way down the page to "Personal Image."  Pick one you'd like to display and you're ready to go!