October GEDA Luncheon - Site Selection Consultants' Panel
Thank you to Walt Farrell, GEDA Business Recruitment Chair and Business Recruitment and Strategy Director, Georgia Power Economic Development, for a great job moderating our Site Selectors Consultants’ Panel at the October meeting. We were pleased to have with us Christine Bustamante, Principal in the State and Local Tax Practice and the Global Location and Expansion Services Practice, KPMG, Columbus, OH; Carol Henderson, Senior Director, Business Incentives Consulting, Cushman Wakefield, Atlanta,GA; and Mark Simmons, Site Selection and Economic Development Division Leader, Parker Poe Consulting, Columbia, SC.
Click HERE for photographs (login required). Click HERE for a list of attendees.
GEDA News
Life's a Dance
When I was a freshman in high school in 1992 (yes, I'm fast approaching 40), John Michael Montgomery, a country music singer, released a song that I've carried the lyrics with me since I first heard them. The chorus goes, "Life's a dance you learn as you go. Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow. Don't worry 'bout what you don't know. Life's a dance, you learn as you go."
As an economic developer, I find this song offering some simple words of wisdom. Whether I'm in the middle of working a high stress recruitment project or dealing with a local issue, there are times I have to step back, take a deep breath, and remember I don't know everything and it's okay to ask for help. I think I learn the most at times when I humble myself and let someone else lead. It allows me to listen more and talk less.
GEDA has hired Cornerstone Government Affairs to represent our organization for the next year. Through its five-year strategic planning process in 2016 and board discussion this year, GEDA decided that it needed to be more active in the legislative process with its members and at the State Capitol. The representatives on the Cornerstone Georgia team include Jerry Usry, Sally Kilpatrick, Jeff Hamling and Camila Knowles. Read more…
Announcement from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs
FYI, the 2018 Local Government Authority registration is live on the DCA Office of Research website and available for local authority officials to complete for the calendar year 2018. As a reminder, authorities are required to be registered no later than January 1 of each calendar year (OCGA 36-80-16). Those not registered with the Office of Research are not permitted to incur new debt or credit obligations. A notice went out to all authority contacts on file. Note, this DCA requirement applies only to local authorities – Development, Downtown Development, Hospital, Housing, etc. - and does not apply to state authorities, such as the Georgia Ports Authority, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, the Jekyll Island Authority, or other state authorities found at https://georgia.gov/agency-list.
This site also includes updated indebtedness reports through FY2016 and an updated Directory of Registered Local Government Authorities that now allows users to search by Regional Commission name rather than internal DCA-assigned region numbers.
Lastly, the Report of Authority Finances (the only other requirement for every local authority) is available at the same URL for completion of FY2017 requirements on a rolling basis. The RAF is due for the authorities within six months of the end of their fiscal year (OCGA 36-81-8). Unfortunately, this report has the lowest response rate of all required surveys – only 670 of 1,199 (56%) for FY16, the most recent fiscal year – so we will have a heightened effort to encourage compliance.
Should you have any questions about current authority compliance, please feel free to contact any staff member in the Office of Research.
Thanks for your continued support in helping us ensure all local governments and local authorities remain up-to-date in their reporting requirements.
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
CORRECTION: Congratulations to the 2017 Annual Conference Sporting Clays Winners Men's First Place: Wade Johnson, Jackson EMC
Andrea Taylor, formerly President, Douglas-Coffee County Chamber and Development Authority is now the CEO of the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber & JDA.
Brian Elrod joined the NAI Elrod Group as Ower & Broker. He was previously with Coldwell Banker Commercial Upchurch Realty.
Crissy Staley, formerly the Executive Director, Berrien County Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority, has moved to Wiregrass Technical College as the Director of Fundraising.
Larry Brooks, Executive Director, Walker County Development Authority, received the first University of Georgia Certified Economic Developer (GCED) designation at the Annual Conference.
Cullen Larson, Honorary Life Member, and former Executive Director of GEDA, has retired from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), only to do some part-time consultancy work for CRS.
Ashley Miller, resigned as Manager of Business and Industry at the Macon Economic Development Commission, and has moved to Florida.
Lamar Norton, Executive Director of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), retired on July 31.
Larry Hanson has been named the new Executive Director of GMA. Formerly the Valdosta City Manager, Hanson becomes the sixth full-time executive director of the organization since it was created in 1933.
Brian Sillitto has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Walter Sprouse, has retired from the Augusta Economic Development Authority.
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.
Project Announcements
Deal: Amazon to create more than 500 jobs in Macon - Technology giant to open fourth Georgia fulfillment center
October 31 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that Amazon.com, Inc. will create more than 500 full-time jobs at a new fulfillment center in Macon-Bibb County. This will be Amazon’s fourth fulfillment center in the state.
Congratulations to the team of Stephen Adams, Economic Development Director, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority; Brittany Holtzclaw, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food Team Director, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Global Commerce Division; and Georgia EMC. Read more…
Briggs & Stratton expansion to bring more than 50 jobs to Statesboro
October 30 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Briggs & Stratton, the largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment, will create more than 50 jobs and invest $18 million in the expansion of its existing manufacturing facility in Bulloch County.
A shout-out to the team of Benjy Thompson, CEO, Development Authority of Bulloch County; Alyce Thornhill, Regional Project Manager, GDEcD Global Commerce Division; who worked on this project! Read more…
S&S Activewear to create 300 jobs in Henry County - National wholesale clothing provider to invest in McDonough logistics center
October 27 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that S&S Activewear, a national wholesaler of imprintable apparel, will create 300 jobs in McDonough over the next four years. Newly created jobs include warehouse, supervisory and management positions.
Kudos to the team of Leah Brown, Director of Existing Industry and Marketing, Henry County Development Authority; Brittany Holtzclaw, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food Team Director, GDEcD Global Commerce Division; the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Power; for their great work on this project!
Economic developers approve $130 million in financing for Starbucks coffee plant expansion
Augusta’s Starbucks manufacturing plant is nearly doubling in size to add coffee-roasting units to supply its stores and other retailers throughout the East Coast with whole-bean and ground coffee.
Augusta’s Economic Development Authority signed off on a $130 million industrial revenue bond issue to fund Starbucks’ plant expansion. Read more…
Candor to create 675 jobs, invest $39 million in Rome
October 19 - The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Candor, a healthcare coverage marketplace specializing in pairing consumers with top health plans, will create 675 jobs over five years in Floyd County. Through 2023, the company plans to invest $39 million into the local economy as it hires, builds out and trains its technical, sales and customer management teams.
It was truly a team effort with the State, Georgia Power and the Rome Floyd Chamber. In this photo of the gift presentation, the order of people going left to right are:
• John Quinlivan, Chairman of the Rome Floyd Chamber
• Jamie Doss, Mayor of the City of Rome
• Rhonda Wallace, Chairman of the Floyd County Commission
• Bob Shinn, CEO of Candor
• John Good, Chief Operating Officer
Georgia Northwestern Technical College (Pete McDonald) Georgia Highlands College (Don Green), the Floyd County College and Career Academy (Eric Waters), GDEcD (Stephanie Scearce), Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Patrick Vickers) and Georgia Power (Elyse Davis) were extremely influential in the whole process. Ken Wright, Al Hodge and Heather Seckman with the Rome Floyd Chamber worked the project on behalf of the City of Rome and Floyd County. Read more…
MARTIN’S ANNOUNCES EXPANSION AT THE VALDOSTA, GEORGIA, BAKERY - Multimillion-Dollar Capital Investment Happening in Valdosta-Lowndes County, Georgia
October 17 - Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc.®, home of the number one branded hamburger roll in the United States, is expanding their bakery in Valdosta-Lowndes County, Georgia, to add additional production capacity.
“Martin’s expansion in our community will account for a multimillion-dollar capital investment, adding an estimated 36 new jobs with continued market growth,” said Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director, Valdosta-Lowndes Development Authority. “Martin’s Famous Pastry Shoppe, Inc., is an example of the positive economic impact companies have here in Valdosta-Lowndes County. We are thrilled they are expanding,” said Schruijer.
Congratulations, Andrea Schruijer, and your entire team. Read more…
SITE SELECTION RANKS GEORGIA NO. 1 FOR BUSINESS FOR FIFTH STRAIGHT YEAR
October 30, 2017 — Governor Nathan Deal announced that Georgia has been named the No. 1 state in the nation in which to do business for the fifth consecutive year by Site Selection, a leading economic development trade magazine. According to Site Selection, Georgia is the first state to hold this ranking for five consecutive years under the same governor.
Congratulations to the Team Georgia, starting with Governor Deal, Constitutional Officers, Commissioner Pat Wilson, Tom Croteau and all the GDEcD, and economic developers throughout Georgia! A tremendous accomplishment!!! Read more…
“Give it all away!” Scott Poag, CEcD, GEDA Chair, Professional Development; & Director of Business Development, Williams & Associates STILL has money to give away. He wants to exhaust the budget, so apply today! GEDA has grant scholarships available, whether they be for UGA / IEDC educational courses, training, trade missions, etc. Contact Scott for information today.
Location: TopGolf Atlanta – Midtown, 1600 Ellsworth Industrial Blvd. NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Contact Meghan Duke, EDFP, GEDA Chair, Young Professionals, & Economic Development Director, West Point Development Authority, for additional details.
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 2017 Action Plans
Upcoming Events
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Andrea Taylor, formerly President, Douglas-Coffee County Chamber and Development Authority is now the CEO of the Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber & JDA.
Brian Elrod joined the NAI Elrod Group as Ower & Broker. He was previously with Coldwell Banker Commercial Upchurch Realty.
Crissy Staley, formerly the Executive Director, Berrien County Chamber of Commerce & Development Authority, has moved to Wiregrass Technical College as the Director of Fundraising.
Larry Brooks, Executive Director, Walker County Development Authority, received the first University of Georgia Certified Economic Developer (GCED) designation at the Annual Conference.
Cullen Larson, Honorary Life Member, and former Executive Director of GEDA, has retired from Catholic Relief Services (CRS), only to do some part-time consultancy work for CRS.
Ashley Miller, resigned as Manager of Business and Industry at the Macon Economic Development Commission, and has moved to Florida.
Lamar Norton, Executive Director of the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), retired on July 31.
Larry Hanson has been named the new Executive Director of GMA. Formerly the Valdosta City Manager, Hanson becomes the sixth full-time executive director of the organization since it was created in 1933.
Brian Sillitto has been promoted to the position of Executive Vice President of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce.
Walter Sprouse, has retired from the Augusta Economic Development Authority.
