For those of you who have not renewed, and received an email warning you of suspension if you did not renew; you have a 90-day grace period in which to renew, and you will still have member benefits and access to your profile during this period. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Kelly McLendon if you have any questions at kmclendon@georgia.org or 404-962-4110.
Click here for detailed instruction for the renewal process.
There is NO Meeting in January.
Our next meeting is Monday, February 6th for the GEDA monthly luncheon at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Midtown Hotel AND on Tuesday, February 7th for a Legislative Breakfast Drop-In at the Georgia State Capitol.
Click the banners above and below to register for each event.
March GEDA meeting date changed...
Click HERE for a list of upcoming GEDA meeting dates.
I hope your 2017 is off to a great start, and you are as excited as I am about the opportunities ahead of us for networking, professional development, and public policy in GEDA in the new year.
It is an honor to serve you as GEDA's chair this year. Greg Wright led the organization well last year. We had excellent turnout and sponsorship support at our monthly programs, Spring Workshop, and Annual Conference in 2016. Great programming and networking helped drive attendance last year, and I look forward to building on last year's success in 2017.
After we completed the GEDA Strategic Plan at the November Board Retreat, we tackled the GEDA 2017 Action Plan. Again, with the able assistance of the University of Georgia, and particularly Stacy Jones, Associate Director, Governmental Training, Education, and Development, with the Carl Vinson Institute of Government, Chairs of Committees and Shared Interest Groups (SIG) developed their 2017 Action Plans. Click HERE to view the full list of Committee and SIG plans. Let us know your thoughts and if you have any questions. You are invited and encouraged to select a Committee or SIG where you would like to get involved.
Take a look at our refreshed website GEDA.org. We have updated a few things but still have more work to do. The content on nearly every page has been reviewed and updated with current information. There is also a new blog that will contain all back issues of the Newsletter going forward that you can check out here. There is also an up-to date calendar of Economic Develop Events available here and updated sponsorship information for your review here. The site should also be easier to navigate and also more mobile-friendly. Let us know your comments and, as always, if you have any questions.
GEDA Member News
Congratulations to Mark Farmer, who on January 3rd, begins a new job as Economic Development Manager with Gwinnett County. Mark formerly worked with Partnership Gwinnett for the past nine years. He is the Chair of the Entrepreneurship Shared interest Group (SIG).
Athensmade, a nonprofit founded in 2015 to build awareness of local businesses and attract talented entrepreneurs, creatives, and young professionals to Athens, has announced the selection of Mary Charles Howard as its Executive Director. Mary Charles formerly worked at Williams & Associates as Director of Marketing.
Many of you know and have worked with Bill Dobbs, who retired from the Georgia Department of Economic Development last year after nearly thirty years in the business. He had several throat surgeries recently and is recovering, still with a feeding tube. It appears that he may face up to 30 radiation treatments in his near future recovery. Please keep Bill, Deborah, his wife, and Bess, their daughter in your prayers. For those of you who wish to write Bill, his address is 3166 Floyd Street NE, Covington, GA 30014.
Project Announcements
Deal: athenahealth to double footprint in Atlanta - Health care information technology company to expand its workforce in Ponce City Market
January 4, 2017 - Governor Nathan Deal, along with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, announced that athenahealth, Inc., a leading provider of network-based services and point-of-care mobile applications for hospitals and ambulatory clients nationwide, will expand its workforce to nearly 1,000 by 2018 and double its initial footprint at Ponce City Market. The company surpassed its three-year projected employee growth rate by approximately 40 percent in its Atlanta office and has invested a total of nearly $20 million in Georgia.
Congratulations to the team of Mary Ellen McClanahan, Metro Atlanta Project Manager, and E. Jane Caraway, Director, Life Sciences, Corporate Solutions, Digital Entertainment and IT, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Global Commerce Division; Kevin Johnson, CEcD, Senior Vice President, Economic Development, Invest Atlanta; and David B. Hartnett, Senior Vice President, Economic Development, and Gregg Simon, Vice President, Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber. Read more…
The Linde Group to invest $40 million in Cook County - Leading manufacturer and supplier of industrial gases to create 35 jobs in Adel
January 3, 2017 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that The Linde Group, a leading manufacturer and supplier of industrial gases, will create 35 jobs and invest $40 million in a custom-engineered air separation plant in Cook County.
Congratulations to Lisa Collins, CEcD EDFP PCED, Executive Director, Cook County Economic Development Commission; and partners David Dunagan, Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), Global Commerce Division; and Lonnie Smallwood, Senior Project Manager, Electric Cities of Georgia; for their great work on this project. Read more of the state press release and Read more of the local press release
Georgia Department of Economic Development Announces Georgia Automotive Awards; Unveils Inaugural Winners
December 1, 2016 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced the winners of the inaugural Georgia Automotive Awards. The program is designed to recognize leaders throughout the state, and to honor them for the contributions they have made to build a robust automotive ecosystem.
Automotive Innovation Award - Novelis, the global leader in aluminum rolled products and the world’s largest recycler of aluminum… Read more…
Automotive Supplier of the Year - Toyo Tire, Tire manufacturer Toyo Tire took home the Georgia Automotive Supplier of the Year honor for its substantial and sustained growth… Read more…
Community Impact Award - Hitachi Automotive Systems, based in Monroe, Georgia, Hitachi Automotive Systems employs 1,000 people and manufactures valve timing systems, propeller shafts and power steering systems for multiple automotive manufacturers. Read more…
Georgia Automotive Company of the Year - Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) has become one of the biggest automotive players in the state since it opened its first North American automobile manufacturing plant in West Point, Georgia in 2010. Read more…
Georgia Makes List of National Geographic Traveler's “Best of the World” Destiinations for 2017 - Georgia is one of three U.S. locations and the only state featured
November 17, 2016 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism division announced that Georgia has been selected as one of National Geographic Traveler magazine’s 21 “Best of the World” destinations for 2017. Read more…
Put Tuesday, February 7th on your calendar to attend the GEDA Legislative Breakfast “Drop-In” at the Georgia State Capitol, Room 123 from 7:30-10:00 a.m. Be sure to talk to your legislators to let them know of your interests and invite them to our “Drop-In.” HERE is the GEDA 2017 Public Policy Agenda. Contact Al Nash, Chair, Public Policy, & Executive Director, Development Authority of Fulton County, to get involved.
Professional Development Committee
Interested in attending the 50th Annual Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC), UGA / IEDC educational courses, a GEDA Workshop or Conference, training, trade missions, etc., then apply for a Professional Development grant. The first deadline is Monday, January 30th for applications to the BEDC. Contact Scott Pogue, Chair, Professional Development, & Project Manager, Augusta Economic Development Authority, for information.
Young Professionals Committee
GEDA Young Professional Spotlight
Join GEDA in Young Professionals throughout 2017 by nominating a young emerging leader in the economic development profession for GEDA’s YP Spotlight. Nominations should provide a detailed application of significant career achievements to date and the impact of those achievements on their economic development organization and the community as a whole, and also explain how these achievements contribute to the advancement of economic development as a profession.
Nominations Open for February, March, April, May, and June. GEDA YP Spotlight. Nominations Close Friday, January 27 at NOON. Contact Meghan Duke, Chair, Young Professionals, & Economic Development Director, City of West Point, for additional details.
RENEW your GEDA membership, today! 
Congratulations to Mark Farmer, who on January 3rd, begins a new job as Economic Development Manager with Gwinnett County. Mark formerly worked with Partnership Gwinnett for the past nine years. He is the Chair of the Entrepreneurship Shared interest Group (SIG).
Athensmade, a nonprofit founded in 2015 to build awareness of local businesses and attract talented entrepreneurs, creatives, and young professionals to Athens, has announced the selection of Mary Charles Howard as its Executive Director. Mary Charles formerly worked at Williams & Associates as Director of Marketing.
Many of you know and have worked with Bill Dobbs, who retired from the Georgia Department of Economic Development last year after nearly thirty years in the business. He had several throat surgeries recently and is recovering, still with a feeding tube. It appears that he may face up to 30 radiation treatments in his near future recovery. Please keep Bill, Deborah, his wife, and Bess, their daughter in your prayers. For those of you who wish to write Bill, his address is 3166 Floyd Street NE, Covington, GA 30014.
