February 2012 Newsletter

Featured Articles February Luncheon Registration is open!  Reporting to you from Under the Gold Dome  IGNITE! Centers of Innovation Spring Workshop Room Block Bouncing Baby Boy Congratulations, Stefanie! iPad, iPhone, iPod, iHUH? COI - Manufaturing ADVANCED MANUFACTURING: RESEARCH AND GRANTS FUEL INNOVATION:   The unplanned breakdown of equipment has devastating consequences if not properly detected. To combat this issue, Georgia-based Polymer Aging Concepts developed a polymer-based sensor, Age Alert, that makes it possible to monitor equipment before it breaks down and is no longer able to perform its function. This revolutionary sensor has virtually limitless applications including the monitoring of motors, generators, transformers, electric and hybrid vehicles, solid rocket propellants, foods and pharmaceuticals Early in the commercialization process, they discovered the need to manufacture these sensors at a higher rate in order to meet potential market demand. Under a supporting grant from the Center of Innovation for Manufacturing they were connected to Georgia Institute of Technology researchers who built a new automated curing and data acquisition system. This system enabled Polymer Aging Concepts to increase their production capacity exponentially and included flexibility for future research and development. “Commercialization would have been difficult, if not almost impossible, without the help of the Centers of Innovation and the Manufacturing Institute at Georgia Tech”, said Ken Watkins, CEO Polymer Aging Concepts, “I strongly urge any new business, especially high-technology innovative companies to locate in Georgia. It’s a very, very pro-business…pro-technology environment.” >>Watch the Video<< Also - you can view pictures from our Legislative Day at the Capitol on the GEDA Photo Gallery Page! Spring Workshop Room Block Hurry Before the Rooms Are Gone! Spring Workshop 2012 will be here before you know it.  The time is NOW to reserve your room for the Conference!  We will once again be in beautiful Brasstown Valley for the event, May 16-18.  Call (800) 201-3205 to reserve your room. And make sure to tell them you're with GEDA to get our block rate. This year's conference agenda is almost 100% set - we're going to GO FOR THE GOLD in 2012!

Georgia Competitiveness Initiative As many of you have heard by now, Governor Deal recently released the results of the year-long Governor's Competitiveness Initiative.   This report represents the culmination of a strategic, year-long process by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and a 23-member steering committee, and incorporates the input of you and more than 4,000 business leaders from every region of the state. We hope you also are pleased with the results of this partnership and the opportunities the Competitiveness Initiative creates for jobs and business to thrive in Georgia.  So many GEDA members took part in the survey and the 12 regional listening sessions.  Thank you for your participation.  You will find the report on www.georgiacompetitiveness.org.   Quick!  Let Me Give You a Pile of Cash! Deadline for the first of our three rounds of scholarships for the year is on MONDAY! The GEDA Professional Development Committee is prepared to give away several thousand dollars of scholarship money next week.  And yes, ALL GEDA members are eligible to apply for the funds.  Some of the programs that are eligible in this first round of scholarships include:  Community Development Institute (The Woodlands, TX) – March 5-9th Georgia Tech Basic Economic Development Course (Atlanta, GA) – March 20-23rd Upcoming IEDC Courses and exam dates: IEDC Technology Led Economic Development Course (Atlanta, GA) – February 16-17th IEDC CEcD Exam (Washington, DC) – March 17-18th IEDC Business Retention & Expansion (Atlanta, GA) – April 19-20th Do you STILL need convincing?  Read about our own Stefanie Dye and her recent achievement, paid for through GEDA scholarships!  Email GEDA or Joy Wilkins with any questions about the process ...   IGNITE! The 2012 GEDA Spring Workshop planning is well underway - and this year, we're changing things up.  We have heard you loud and clear ... many of you have asked for something besides just "Optional Activities" on Thursday afternoon at our conferences.  We are listening and we have a super-fun idea for our Thursday afternoon.  (Thanks to Tim Martin for bringing this to us.) About Ignite ... Imagine that you’re in front of an audience made up of your friends, family, and people from your community, about to present a 5-minute talk on the thing you’re most passionate about. You’ve brought 20 slides, which advance every 15 seconds whether you’re ready or not. You have a few last-minute butterflies, but off you go—and the crowd loves it. Welcome to Ignite. Ignite is a fast-paced geek event started by Brady Forrest, Technology Evangelist for O'Reilly Media, and Bre Pettis of Makerbot.com, formerly of MAKE Magazine. Speakers are given 20 slides, each shown for 15 seconds, giving each speaker 5 minutes of fame. The first Ignite took place in Seattle in 2006, and since then the event has become an international phenomenon, with gatherings in Helsinki, Finland; Paris, France; New York, New York; and many other locations. GEDA will host our first ever Ignite session on THURSDAY AFTERNOON at Spring Workshop!  We are now asking for presenters.  Do you have something you'd like to share with the world in 5 minutes?  Would you like to practice your presentation skills?  Do you want to hear people discuss 10 new ideas in just one hour?  We are looking to fill 10 speaker slots.  Please email us if you would like to be a part of this extremely exciting new idea!!

Upcoming Events February 20th Luncheon.  International Trade Representatives!  Georgia Tech Hotel &  Conference Center. March 19.  Monthly Luncheon at the Kia Training Center in West Point. April 16.  Monthly Luncheon.  Details to be confirmed. May 16-18.  Spring Workshop at Brasstown Valley.  Make your room reservations today! New Members! Welcome to GEDA Bilijack Bell, WIlson Hull & Neal Pedro Cherry, Georgia Power Harold Coffey, Georgia Power Sharroll Fanslau, Downtown Development Authority of Pembroke Clint Mueller, ACCG Terry Schwindler, Macon Economic Development Commission SIX New Members from the Department of Labor! Brenda Griffin Candace Head Lynne Jones Paul Schneider Connie Smith Patricia Stanelle Congratulations, Stefanie! Newest CEcD in Georgia! The City of Roswell can now boast the newest Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) in Georgia! Stefanie just went to San Antonio to take the exam and was successful!  As you know, Georgia has the second highest number of CEcDs in the nation (and we're coming after you, Texas!) "GEDA is the world's greatest association.  I never would have been able to accomplish this if it weren't for GEDA's wonderful support," said Dye.  Ok ... she didn't really say that, but I think she would say that the scholarship helped.   Congratulations to Stefanie!!!      iPad for Economic Development Want One?  Have One?  Haven't Decided Yet? Don't make any plans after the April 16th GEDA Luncheon.  The GEDA Young Professionals Committee is planning an 'iPad for Economic Development" course after our luncheon.