Due to the SEDC Annual Conference in Charlotte, NC during our regularly scheduled meeting, the GEDA board has decided to move the August meeting to Monday, August 14th. The meeting will be held at the Crowne Plaza Atlanta Midtown Hotel and will feature a panel discussion on Placemaking, a concept that helps communities transform their public places into areas that create a sense of “place” for residents and that highlight assets and spur economic growth. This concept is based on the idea that the new generation focuses on choosing a place to live, and then looks for a job in that place. Moderated by GEDA Sponsorship Committee Chair Jessica Hood, the panelists include Andrea Taylor from Coffee County and Jerald Mitchell from Atlanta Beltline who will share their placemaking experiences and success on the local and metro levels. We are still seeking a sponsor for this event. If you are interested in presenting your message to a great GEDA audience (estimated over 200 attendees) please let Jessica Hood or Kevin Shea, GEDA President, know ASAP!
To view additional information about the September 2017 Annual Conference Click HERE.
A good time was had by all at the June Brokers & Consultants Event at SweetWater Brewing Co. on Monday, June 19th. Thank you to all of our brokers and consultants, as well as GEDA members, who showed up. The food and beverages were outstanding!
Thank you to our sponsor for this great event, Locate South Georgia, for its generous support!
Dates of FUTURE Spring Workshops & Annual Conferences
(put these on your calendar):
Spring Workshop
2018 May 9-11 Jekyll Island Westin & Convention Center
2019 May 15-17 The Lodge & Spa at Callaway Gardens
2020 May 20-22 Jekyll Island Westin & Convention Center
Annual Conference
2017 September 20-22 Hyatt Regency Savannah
2018 September 19-21 The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
2019 September 18-20 The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa
2020 September 16-18 Hyatt Regency Savannah
2021 September 15-17 Hyatt Regency Savannah
Public Policy Initiative
In February the GEDA board adopted a five-year Strategic Plan (Plan) for the years 2017-2021. Thank you again to Stacy Jones, our facilitator, and the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government for their assistance in making it happen. The GEDA Board adopted five Strategic Goals, one of which is Public Policy, and the goal is “GEDA will influence public policy through proactive education.” The Board of Directors has been asked by the Public Policy Committee to decide on a possible role and responsibilities for a more active program of governmental affairs.
Formerly, the stance of GEDA, with respect to Public Policy, was to “educate, not advocate.” Our Board has had some good discussion about being more active at the Georgia General Assembly. Issues such as Development Authority law, incentives, talent development and recruitment, taxes, transportation and other “bread and butter” topics are critical to Georgia’s economic development success in the future. In order to fulfill that role, we are looking at the possibility of hiring a legislative representative to assist GEDA. We are considering a number of courses of action, from hiring the services of a governmental affairs firm to hiring a new staff-member to focus on this task to continuing to work with Jim Finch, who has worked as the GEDA Legislative Monitor for the past seven years. Jim may continue to play a role in our new configuration and we are keeping him informed of any new developments.
Welcome to Summer! July is one of the two months of the year that GEDA does not have a formal meeting, which allows the membership to take some vacation time and some time to focus on regional issues. Several years ago, in lieu of a formal meeting, Rope Roberts, Regional Community and Economic Development Manager for Georgia Power, held a regional “Good News Event”. Over the years, this concept has spread and several other regions have followed suit. Each participating region does it differently. Some events are sponsored, while others are paid events to offset charges. There is even one region that takes the meeting to the Flint River! However it is done, the purpose is the same. These meetings bring the economic development community and our stakeholders together from a much smaller area, provide networking time, and strengthen the bonds of community and friendship. Listed below are the regional meetings scheduled so far:
Region 1 – July 19, 2017
Region 2 & 5 – July 17, 2017
Region 4 – July 7, 2017
Region 9 & 12 – July 27, 2017
It is not too late to schedule one for your region! If you are interested in hosting, please give me a call and I will be glad to share how these other regions have done it.
Nominations are OPEN for: Deal of the Year, Volunteer of the Year Award, and Zell Miller Public Policy Leadership Award
It’s time to celebrate our community and regional successes again. Has your community or region landed the Deal of the Year? The Deal of the Year Award has four different categories to ensure communities are competing within the same general size. To qualify, the community must have publicly announced the deal after June 30, 2016. Click HERE to make a Deal of the Year nomination.
Do you have an economic development cheerleader in your community who is always working to make your community a better place? Nominate him or her for Volunteer of the Year Award, and let us help you honor a special community volunteer. Click HERE to make a Volunteer of the Year Award Nomination.
The Governor Zell Miller Public Policy Leadership Award is reserved for those who have demonstrated enduring commitment, dedication, and leadership in advocating and implementing public policies that are essential for sustained quality economic development in Georgia. Submit a letter of recommendation outlining the nominee’s contributions to economic development public policy. The GEDA Board of Directors may elect not to present this award every year. Click HERE to make a nomination for the Governor Zell Miller Public Policy Leadership Award.
Submit your nominations now! July 30, 2017 at Midnight. NO EXTENTIONS.
Applications for 2017 Georgia Automotive Awards now open
The Georgia Department of Economic Development is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Georgia Automotive Awards. The Georgia Automotive Awards were developed to elevate the industry’s profile, recognize individual companies for their contributions, and celebrate the industry’s collective accomplishments. Anyone may nominate a company, and a company may nominate itself for an award. Winners will be announced early fall.
The automotive industry contributes $2.3 billion to the state’s economy. Last year’s inaugural Georgia Automotive Award winners include:
Novelis – Automotive Innovation Award
Toyo Tire – Automotive Supplier of the Year
Hitachi Automotive Systems – Community Impact Award
Kia Motors Manufacturing of Georgia – Georgia Automotive Company of the Year
J. Randy Jackson, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia – Georgia Automotive Leader of the Year
To nominate a company for the 2017 Georgia Automotive Awards, click here. Applications close on Aug. 11.
Our Post Office Box 1776 is going away. We have shared this address with the Georgia Department of Economic Development for some time. They are going to stop using it, and it is too expensive for us to keep, so we will use our physical address (75 Fifth St., NW, Suite 1200, Atlanta, GA 30308) in the future. Please make a note of this for your checks and other important mailings.
GEDA Member News
William Atkinson, formerly a Program Specialist in GDEcD’s Workforce Division, will be the newest member of GDEcD’s International Investment Team, joining Nico Wijnberg as a Project Manager. He will officially move to the 12th Floor July 16th. Brian Cardoza was promoted from Vice President to Senior Vice President of Rooker.
David Cleveland, formerly with Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corporation has moved to Jackson EMC, where he will be the Director of Industrial Marketing.
Jason Rubenbauer, former Interim Dean for Health Sciences & Professional Studies, is now County Manager for Pierce County in Blackshear.
Mark Lytle, former High Demand Career Industry Liaison, University System of Georgia-Board of Regents, has retired. He has established a consulting practice, Mark Lytle Consulting.
Lynn Patterson, former consultant with b+c Studio has joined Three Points Planning, LLC as a Principal.
Scott Poag was honored at the GEDA June Consultants and Brokers Networking event as the June Young Professional Spotlight.
If you are moving, changing jobs or getting a promotion, please let us know by emailing us at Info@GEDA.org, and we’ll publicize this in the GEDA newsletter.
GEDA June New Members
Megan Baker, Fayette County Development Authority Ginny Blakeney, Development Authority of Pike County Michael Davis, MJD Management Group William Lindsey Matthew Pierce, Emory University Greg Wilson, University of Georgia, Carl Vinson Institute of Government
Project Announcements
SILON TO INVEST $20 MILLION IN FAYETTE COUNTY - Technical compounds producer to create more than 20 jobs in Peachtree City facility
June 27, 2017 — Governor Nathan Deal announced that SILON, a leading producer of technical compounds and polyester staple fibers, will create more than 20 jobs and invest $20 million in a new Peachtree City facility.
Kudos to Joan Young, Interim President, Darrell Hicks, Chairman, and Niki Vanderslice, Vice Chair, Fayette County Development Authority; Joseph Huntemann, Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce Division; on the location of this project! Read more…
LIDL TO CREATE 250 JOBS, INVEST $100 MILLION IN BARTOW COUNTY - Retail chain to open regional headquarters and distribution center in Cartersville
June 26, 2017 — Governor Nathan Deal announced that Lidl, one of the world’s largest retailers, will create 250 jobs and invest $100 million over the next five years in a new regional headquarters and distribution center in Cartersville.
Congratulations to the team of Melinda Lemon, Executive Director, Bartow-Cartersville Joint Development Authority; Nico Wijnberg, Director, International Investment, Tom Croteau, Deputy Commissioner, and Scott McMurray, Division Director, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce Division, Kevin Lovelace, Senior Project Manager, Georgia Power! Read more…
CARCOUSTICS TO CREATE 200 JOBS IN GWINNETT COUNTY
June 13, 2017 — Governor Nathan Deal announced that Carcoustics, a supplier to the automotive industry, will create 200 jobs and invest $6 million in a new Buford facility over the next five years. The newly created jobs will include positions in manufacturing.
Congratulations to the team of Deven Cason, Project Manager, Partnership Gwinnett; Nico Wijnberg, Director of International Investment, GDEcD, Global Commerce Division; Bob Kosek, Project Manager, and John Woodward, Senior Director, Foreign Investment, the Metro Atlanta Chamber; Kevin Lovelace, Senior Project Manager, Georgia Power; and Georgia Quick Start! Read more…
BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP TO CREATE MORE THAN 200 JOBS IN FULTON COUNTY - Global consulting firm to invest $9.2 million in third Atlanta location
June 12, 2017 — Governor Nathan Deal, along with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, announced that Boston Consulting Group (BCG), a global management and consulting firm, will create more than 200 jobs and invest $9.2 million in a new regional support center in Atlanta.
Congratulations to the team of Ashley Varnum, Senior Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce Division; in partnership with Randi Mason, Director of Economic Development, Invest Atlanta; Doug Coffey, Project Manager, Georgia Power; and Gregg Simon, Vice President, Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce; for their work on this project! Read more…
Georgia Council for the Arts awards grant funding to 100 organizations
The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) today announced the recipients of its Partner, Project, Arts Education and literary arts and traditional arts grant funding for fiscal year 2018. One hundred organizations throughout the state were collectively awarded more than $1 million in funding. Funding for operating support (Partner Grant) was awarded to 53 organizations across the state, support for arts projects (Project Grant) was awarded to 35 organizations, 23 organizations received the Arts Education Program Grant, two received Literary Art Programs funding and one was awarded funding for Traditional Arts Programs. A total of 114 grants were awarded. Read more...
FILM INDUSTRY GENERATES $9.5 BILLION FOR GEORGIA’S ECONOMY
Georgia-filmed productions represent $2.7 billion in direct spending in FY 2017
July 10, 2017 –Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that Georgia-lensed feature film and television productions generated an economic impact of $9.5 billion during FY 2017. The 320 feature film and television productions shot in Georgia represent $2.7 billion in direct spending in the state.
“Georgia’s film industry supports thousands of jobs, boosts small business growth and expands offerings for tourists,” said Deal. “As one of the top places in the world for film, Georgia hosted a remarkable 320 film and television productions during the last fiscal year. These productions mean new economic opportunities and real investments in local communities. We are committed to further establishing Georgia as a top film destination and introducing film companies to the Camera Ready backdrops available across Georgia.” Read more...
Want to go to the GEDA Annual Conference? Then apply for a Professional Development grant to help defray your expenses. These scholarships are not necessarily based on need… apply today! Other possible scholarship grants available are for UGA / IEDC educational courses, training, trade missions, etc. Contact Scott Poag, GEDA Chair, Professional Development; & Director of Business Development, Williams & Associates, for information.
Young Professionals Committee
Join GEDA’s Young Professionals and Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson for a quality conversation on effective leadership, strategies for success, and intentionally preparing the next generation of economic development leaders to make a tangible impact on Georgia communities.
Monday, August 14 9:15-10:30 AM. CLICK HERE to RSVP to attend by Wednesday, August 9. Centergy One Building – Suite 850, ECG Conference Room.
*Coffee and Continental Breakfast will be provided.
GEDA Young Professional Spotlight
Join GEDA in recognizing 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 the August, September, October and November GEDA YP Spotlight. Contact Meghan Duke, Chair, Young Professionals, & Economic Development Director, Development Authority of West Point, for additional details.
Please mark your calendars for our next meeting, which will be immediately following the August 14 GEDA luncheon.
The place:
Crowne Plaza Atlanta Midtown
590 West Peachtree Street NW
Atlanta, Georgia 30308
We’ll meet for about 45 minutes in the same room as the luncheon. Our topic will be the GEDA SIG itself – its structure, meeting schedule, and goals. We’ll also have some open discussion about any other topics you’d like to cover.
To recap where we are this year, our first quarterly meeting was at the Burson Center, and in lieu of a second quarter meeting, we held a panel discussion at the GEDA Spring Workshop on rural entrepreneurship. We got good marks on the evaluations for the panel.
Get involved in GEDA's Committees and SIGs to learn about projects and meet fellow members - visit your profile on GEDA.org to join. View the Committee and SIG 2016 Action Plans
Upcoming Events
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William Atkinson, formerly a Program Specialist in GDEcD’s Workforce Division, will be the newest member of GDEcD’s International Investment Team, joining Nico Wijnberg as a Project Manager. He will officially move to the 12th Floor July 16th.
Brian Cardoza was promoted from Vice President to Senior Vice President of Rooker.
David Cleveland, formerly with Coweta-Fayette Electric Membership Corporation has moved to Jackson EMC, where he will be the Director of Industrial Marketing.
Jason Rubenbauer, former Interim Dean for Health Sciences & Professional Studies, is now County Manager for Pierce County in Blackshear.
Mark Lytle, former High Demand Career Industry Liaison, University System of Georgia-Board of Regents, has retired. He has established a consulting practice, Mark Lytle Consulting.
Lynn Patterson, former consultant with b+c Studio has joined Three Points Planning, LLC as a Principal.
Scott Poag was honored at the GEDA June Consultants and Brokers Networking event as the June Young Professional Spotlight.
