The GEDA Brokers' and Consultants' Networking Event is scheduled for June 20 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Sweetwater Brewery (this takes the place of the traditional luncheon hour program). Meet top real estate brokers and site consultants as well as state project managers and economic development professionals. Enjoy brewery tours and beer tastings (non-alcoholic beverages will be provide, too) with catering from award-winning Atlanta-based Bold American Events. Free parking at adjacent businesses after 5:00 p.m. We encourage our guests to take Uber or appoint a designated driver. Sweetwater is located at 195 Ottley Drive, NE, Atlanta, GA (about 1.5 miles from Monroe Drive & Piedmont Avenue).
Please note: The Georgia Department of Economic Development will host an open house from 3:00-5:00 p.m. on Monday, June 20. See details below on the special "Economic Development Incentives Seminar" from 2:00-3:30 p.m. in the Georgia Power Resource Center.
GEDA will host a seminar on economic development incentives on Monday, June 20 from 2:00-3:30 p.m. at the Georgia Power Resource Center (big thanks to Champions Circle Sponsor Georgia Power) located at 75 Fifth St., NW, Suite 150, Atlanta. This is the ground floor of the Centergy Building. The seminar will feature information about Georgia’s incentives, as well as the process by which incentives are awarded and delivered. Christopher Nunn, Deputy Commissioner, Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and Tom Croteau, Deputy Commissioner, Global Commerce, GDEcD, are coordinating the seminar. In addition to a panel presentation, you will have ample opportunity for Q&A. The seminar is free; however, space is limited to the first 50 people who register by emailing Karen Ewing, Manager, Member Services, GEDA.
If you missed this year's Spring Workshop at Sea Palms, you missed a great one. Brian Dill and his conference committee deserve a huge THANK YOU for all the hard work that went into the conference. From the interesting and informative sessions and speakers to the great networking and social events, everything was outstanding. Even Thursday afternoon’s thunderstorm could not put a damper on the conference. If you have not done so, please take a moment to complete the Spring Workshop 2016 survey.
The GEDA 2016 Spring Workshop, Georgia’s Workforce: Lighting the Way, received tremendously positive feedback from attendees. Mark Lautman, of Lautman Economic Architecture in Albuquerque, NM, provided great information and ideas about bringing workforce and economic development closer. Roger Tutterow had good news about Georgia’s economy and did his usual fantastic job informing us. And for those of you who missed Steve Hester of Chick-fil-A, you missed a treat--literally, as Steve gave everyone a coupon for a free sandwich or salad. Steve provided a funny, moving and insightful look into what makes Chick fil-A a great enterprise. Click here to access speaker presentations. As the workshop presentations become available, they will be uploaded, too. Read Kevin's complete summary...
The GEDA Board Nominating Committee will meet in early July to consider candidates for the Secretary-Treasurer position and four open board member seats to take office in January 2017. All GEDA members can nominate another GEDA member for a board position. Submit the name of an outstanding GEDA member for consideration by the Nominating Committee by completing the attached form. Your input, ideas, and interest are vital and welcome. We look forward to reading your nominations.
Ross Avina of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has secured a significant discount on the Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) Certification Series from BB&T. This certification series, which starts in June, is offered by the National Development Council (NDC). The first course, ED101: Economic Development Finance is offered June 6-10, 2016, on Hilton Head Island, SC (hotel TBD). Click HERE for program details. Click HERE to register for the first course. The second course in the series, ED201: Business Credit Analysis, will be offered on October 17-21. The next two courses in the series are slated for 2017 with dates and places to be determined (most likely in Orlando, FL). Click HEREfor the BB&T discount code and Series flyer.
Explore the Professional Development link on GEDA’s website for more information. Beat the rush and apply now for an Annual Conference scholarship.
Emily Charles was born November 21, 2015, to J.R. and Melissa Charles. J.R. is Economic Development Director for Oconee County. Emily's favorite activities are flying in her Dad’s arms, playing at 3:00 a.m., and cuddling with her mom. Emily hopes to meet her dad's colleagues at the GEDA Annual Meeting in Savannah this year.
Yoonie Kim, Senior Projects Manager, International Projects Team, Global Commerce, GDEcD, and family welcomed the newest addition to their family, Ellie Lana Kim, who is 4 months old now.
Elizabeth Emma Brewer, newest daughter of Dana Brewer, Director of Research, GDEcD, was born on May 25, weighing 7 lbs 10 oz and 20 inches long. Welcome to the newest member of the Georgia economic development research community.
Maggie Laton, Project Manager, Existing Industry & Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Fayetteville, mlaton@georgia.org
Project Announcements
GEORGIA TOURISM GROWTH SETS NEW RECORD - Industry generates $58.9 billion economic impact ATLANTA, May 5, 2016 — Gov. Nathan Deal announced during National Travel and Tourism Week that the state’s tourism industry generated $58.9 billion in business sales in 2015, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics. This represents a three percent increase over the previous year and a new record for the total economic impact of tourism in Georgia. Congratulations to Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism, GDEcD, to his division and to all those in the tourism business throughout the State of Georgia for this great accomplishment! Read more…
Deal: Dollar General to create more than 500 jobs - Discount retailer to invest $85 million in Butts and Spalding Counties GRIFFIN, May 9, 2016 - Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that Dollar General, one of America’s leading discount retailers, will build a 1-million-square-foot distribution center in Butts and Spalding Counties. The distribution center will create more than 500 jobs and represents a capital investment of $85 million. Compliments to Laura Hale Sistrunk, Executive Director, Development Authority of Butts County; David Luckie, Executive Director, Griffin-Spalding Development Authority; Annie Baxter, former Director, Logistics, Energy Agribusiness & Food Team, and Tom Croteau, Deputy Commissioner, Global Commerce, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); Charles Stallworth, Senior Project Manager, Georgia Power Company; and Debra Smith (Bennett), President, Allen-Smith Consulting, Inc. All of these GEDA members worked on this project since last summer. Dan McRae, Attorney at Seyfarth Shaw, and his team were involved as bond counsel. Read more…
DECD: WL PLASTICS CORPORATION TO CREATE 40 NEW JOBS IN STATESBORO - Leading manufacturer of polyethylene pipe to invest $12M in Bulloch County STATESBORO, May 9, 2016 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that WL Plastics Corporation (WL), one of the largest manufacturers of high performance High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) pipe and related products for the oil, gas, mining, industrial and municipal water markets, will create 40 jobs and invest $12 million in Bulloch County. Congratulations to Benjy Thompson, CEO, The Development Authority of Bulloch County; Wylly Harrison, Senior Project Manager, Automotive, Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Team, Global Commerce division, GDEcD; Doug Coffey, Senior Project Manager, Economic Development, Georgia Power Company; and Jan Melcher, Quick Start. In addition, WL Plastics has expressed interest in working with Quick Start for future workforce demands. Read more…
Sparta Industries to create more than 1,000 jobs in Milledgeville - Insulation manufacturer to invest $22.5 million in Baldwin County MILLEDGEVILLE, May 10, 2016 - Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Sparta Industries, a manufacturer of HVAC duct liner insulation, will establish a new plant at the former Rheem Manufacturing building in Milledgeville. This venture is projected to create more than 1,000 jobs and represents a capital investment of $22.5 million throughout the next 5 years. Kudos to Matthew Poyner, Executive Director, Development Authority of the City of Milledgeville-Baldwin County; Wylly Harrison, Senior Project Manager, Automotive, Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Team, Global Commerce division, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); Doug Coffey, Senior Project Manager, Economic Development, Georgia Power Company; the Georgia Department of Labor, Georgia Quick Start and GC Financial Solutions, LLC. Read more…
AUGUSTA, May 13, 2016 - Following the announcement made by the Augusta Canal Authority and Cape Augusta Digital Properties on Wednesday, May 5th, Cape Augusta is proud to announce the signing of a 10 year lease with EDTS, a leading managed IT services and cyber security firm headquartered in Augusta, GA. “EDTS has signed a 10year lease for 32,500 square feet in the historic Cotton Store building and is the anchor tenant for Phase 1, which includes the refurbishment of this 1880’s building and surrounding site works,” Said James Ainslie, CEO of Cape Augusta Digital Properties.
Congratulations to Walter Sprouse, Executive Director, Augusta Economic Development Authority, his staff, board and community! Read more…
KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES TO CREATE MORE THAN 200 JOBS IN ATLANTA ATLANTA, May 18, 2016 – Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Keysight Technologies, a leading provider of electronic design and test software, equipment and services, will expand the company’s presence by opening an operation in Atlanta. This project will create more than 200 software engineering jobs and represents an investment of $13.9 million. Way to go Ashley Morris, Project Manager, Life Sciences, Corporate Solutions, Digital Entertainment and IT Team, Global Commerce division, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); Brenda Robbins, Senior Project Manager, Economic Development, Georgia Power Company; Gregg Simon, Vice President, Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber; and Randi Mason, Advisor for Economic Development, Invest Atlanta; who worked on this project! The team also worked with representatives with the City of Atlanta and Georgia Tech. Read more…
GDEcD: StayWell acquisition of ShareWIK expected to create up to 20 new jobs in Atlanta - New health entertainment service bridges digital media and life science industries ATLANTA-May 24, 2016 - The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that The StayWell Company, based in Yardley, Penn., which recently acquired ShareWIK, is expected to bring up to 20 new jobs to Atlanta and up to $2.0 million investment in capital to the Atlanta area. ShareWIK (short for Share-What-I-Know), boasts a library of over 600 videos that feature compelling stories of individual patients and caregivers sharing their personal experiences about a wide range of health conditions. Additionally, the company offers its customers custom content development services, including 3-D animations, motion graphics, live event production, infographics, product demonstration videos and more. Founded by award-winning health care journalist, Diana Keough, ShareWIK is rooted in the art of storytelling. Congrats to Asante Bradford, Project Manager, Life Sciences, Corporate Solutions, Digital Entertainment and IT Team, Global Commerce division, GDEcD, who worked with ShareWIK and StayWell throughout the acquisition, in conjunction with the Grant Wainscott, Director of Technology Industry, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, and LaunchPad2X, an organization that helps women entrepreneurs hone their business skills to accelerate growth and build strong networks to meet the challenges of growing a young business. Read more…
Apparel company to create more than 300 jobs in metro Atlanta - thredUP to open distribution center in Gwinnett County DULUTH, May 30, 2016 - Gov. Nathan Deal announced that thredUP, a leading online marketplace for consumers to buy and sell like-new women’s and children’s clothing, will establish a distribution and warehouse operation in Gwinnett County. This project represents the creation of more than 300 new jobs in the metro Atlanta area. Kudos to Andrew Carnes, Director of Economic Development, and Shantell Wilson, Senior Project Manager, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development; Joshua Stephens, Project Manager, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food Team, Global Commerce division, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); Trent Williamson, Project Manager, Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; Walt Farrell, Senior Project Manager, Economic Development, Georgia Power Company; and Jones Lang LaSalle Commercial Real Estate Agency, who all worked on this project. Read more…
