GEDA and the Georgia Department of Economic Development will recognize some of the state’s top small businesses at the 2016 Small Business ROCK STARS Awards Luncheon on Monday, February 15 at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta – Midtown. Following an intense review of 69 great nominees, we are looking forward to introducing an extraordinary class of 2016 ROCK STARS from across the state. Learn more about the Georgia Small Business ROCK STARS program and past winners
GEDA held its Legislative Lunch at the State Capitol on January 28. The annual lunch was catered by The Varsity, serving a total of 860 hot dogs and hamburgers as well as countless onion rings and fries. Governor Deal issued a proclamation declaring January 28 Economic Development Day in Georgia, and the Georgia State House of Representatives issued a resolution commending GEDA “and its members for the significant role they pay in Georgia’s economic growth and success.” Big thanks to Seyfarth Shaw Attorneys LLC for their sponsorship. Thank you Dan McRae.
January means the start of a new year for GEDA, and I am happy to report that we are off to a great start. First, my sincere thanks to everyone who helped make our GEDA Day at the Capitol such a huge success. GEDA was recognized by Governor Deal, the House of Representatives and State Senate. As we continue to grow this event every year, we are building new relationships and friendships with members of the General Assembly and building on the reputation of our organization.
Sustainable Corrugated to create 62 jobs, invest $15 Million in Dalton-Whitfield
Wholly owned subsidiary of Jackson Paper Manufacturing Company
Carl Campbell, Executive Director of the Dalton-Whitfield Joint Development Authority; Summer Nix, Project Manager, Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce; Lindsay Martin, Director of Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment, Stephanie Scearce and Tammy Caudell, Project Managers, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); and Pamela Griffin, Director, Corporate/Customized Contract Training, Quick Start; and Elyse Davis, Northwest Georgia Manager, Community and Economic Development, Georgia Power Company; partnered with the Department of Labor to attract Sustainable Corrugated.
Brad Lofton, President, Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority; Nico Wijnberg, Director of International Investment, and Ryan Waldrep, Assistant Director of Entrepreneur & Small Business Development and Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); and Lonnie Smallwood, Senior Project Manager, Electric Cities of Georgia; worked on the Valmiera Glass project in Laurens County.
Kaiser Permanente to create 800 jobs in metro Atlanta
Integrated provider of health care and coverage to invest $51 million | 1/21/2016
Andrew Carnes, Director of Economic Development, Partnership Gwinnett; Lindsay Martin, Director of Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); and Lauren Lambias, Senior Project Manager, Georgia Power Company; assisted Kaiser Permanente in its expansion. They were also supported by the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Jones Lang La Salle.
Merchant E-Solutions to create more than 140 jobs in Metro Atlanta
Brazilian-based logistics firm to invest $5 million in Fulton County | 1/20/2016
Ashley Morris, Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); Lauren Lambias, Senior Project Manager, Georgia Power Company; and Gregg Simon, Vice President, Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; worked on this headquarters relocation.
Linde + Wiemann to create 200 new jobs, will invest more than $35M in Hart County
Prominent German automotive parts manufacturer to locate U.S. operation in Georgia | 1/12/2016
Dwayne Dye, Director of Economic Development, Hart County Industrial Building Authority and the Hart County Board of Commissioners; Nico Wijnberg, Director, International Investment Team; and Kevin Lovelace, Project Manager, Georgia Power Company; worked together to locate this project in Hart County.
John Scott, CEcD, Project Manager, Brunswick-Glynn County Development Authority, is Georgia’s newest Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). John took the test in New Orleans in January and was one of only eight candidates who passed the exam!
Pat Merritt, of Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) has been promoted to Vice President, Economic Development. She was formerly Manager, Community Development for Georgia EMC. Pat is located at the Centergy One Building in Suite 710. Contact Pat at pat.merritt@georgiaemc.com
Jenny Robbins was promoted to Manager, Community Development, with Georgia EMC. Jenny was formerly Community Development Consultant and remains based in Homerville. Jenny’s e-mail is jenny.robbins@georgiaemc.com
EJane Caraway of the Georgia Department of Economic Development was promoted to Director, Life Sciences and Corporate Solutions Team. She is based in the Atlanta office in Centergy One Building in Suite 1200. EJane was formerly GDEcD's Project Manager in Region 4. EJane’s e-mail address is jcaraway@georgia.org
Nico Wijnberg of the Georgia Department of Economic Development was promoted to Director of the International Investment Team. Nico can be reached at nwijnberg@georgia.org
Joan Young of J Young Consulting is in Fayette County as the Interim President/CEO of the Fayette County Development Authority. Joan’s contact info is young1joan@gmail.com or jyoung@fayettega.org
Karen Ewing, CMP, our own Manager of Member Services, earned her CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) designation in January. MEMBER NEWS: If you or someone else you know has been promoted or changed positions or company/organization, please let us know at Info@GEDA.org
Committee News
Professional Development Committee
Scholarship Grants Available - Deadline Extended to February 12
Congratulations John Scott, CEcD, Project Manager, Brunswick - Glynn County Development Authority, on passing the CEcD exam! John was approved by the GEDA Professional Development Committee to receive a Scholarship grant to take the CEcD exam in New Orleans in January.
In the Economic Development profession we pay a great deal of attention to the location decisions of companies, but tend to ignore how people, especially creative people, make the same choice. If you ask people how they make their decisions about where to live and work, place itself, is the key factor.
Join us on Monday, February 15 following the Small Business Rock Star Awards Luncheon for an in-person meeting to discuss the 2016 Spring Workshop. The group will meet downstairs in the hotel lobby immediately following the luncheon. If you can't make the meeting, please join our conference call on Thursday, February 11 at 3:30p.m.
Georgia's Small Business Week and GDEcD's New Blog Series
This year’s ROCK STAR luncheon kicks off Georgia Small Business Week (Feb 15-19). The GEDA Entrepreneur SIG encourages our members to submit your small business activity to GDEcD's Assistant Director of Entrepreneur and Small Business Ryan Waldrep at rwaldrep@georgia.org. In addition, Small Business Week also kicks off a new GDEcD blog series featuring entrepreneurs and small business from around Georgia, so be sure to send Ryan information about dynamic and innovative small businesses in your community.
Environmental factors heavily influence almost every site/industrial development project, from redeveloping a Brownfield along the river or stream in your city’s downtown, or permitting a new factory or expansion project in your industrial park. The Natural Resources & Environment Shared Interest Group is here to help!
