Register today and join us on Monday, June 18th for a luncheon featuring a panel of real estate brokers who will address trends in real estate in the industrial, office and retail sectors. Lunch will be at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel.
2018 Spring Workshop
Thank you to all of you who came out for the 2018 GEDA Spring Workshop, “GEDA – The Real World of Economic Development – Jekyll Island.” Andrea Schruijer, GEDA Secretary-Treasurer, and Executive Director, Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority, and her committee members put on a super-Real World program. Events took place at both the Westin and the Jekyll Island Convention Center.
Click HERE for a list of attendees. Click HERE to see photos. Thank you to all of our 2018 Spring Workshop Sponsors; click HERE to see all our sponsors. Click HERE to see the Golf Tournament winners. Click HERE to see the Power Points of the speakers at the GEDA 2018 Spring Workshop
GEDA News
GEDA Board Nominations NOW being accepted
If you would like to nominate someone to the GEDA board, please click HERE for a nomination form.
Deal of the Year and Volunteer of the Year Awards
Information will be coming out soon for you to nominate your Deal of the Year and Volunteer of the Year nominees. Contact Illya Copeland, Executive Director, Murray County Industrial Development Authority, this year’s Sub-Committee Chair for the Annual Awards, with any questions.
Chair's Column
Money! Money!! Money!!!
My youngest “duckling” graduated from high school a week ago, and we have quickly transitioned to the college mentality of scheduling for orientation, decorating the dorm room, choosing first college classes and the ever-necessary task of applying for scholarships. During this time, I cannot help but be reminded of the scholarship/grant money available from our organization. When I first was asked to be a committee chair with GEDA, and attended my first board meeting years ago, I learned that we have a hard time giving our money away each year. Honestly, I did not really believe it! Since then, I have watched year after year go by and we almost always have money left over. So I would like this year to be different!
Sad news:Mike Lott, a longtime member of GEDA, and the 16th President of GEDA in 1979, passed away on Sunday, June 3rd. Mike was the recipient of the Rip Wiley Award in 1999 and was presented GEDA Honorary Life Membership in 2003. He worked at the Conyers Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, C&S National Bank (Bank of America), the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism (GDEcD), Georgia Power and, finished his career at, Georgia Tech. Please keep Joy, Mike’s wife, and their family in your prayers. Rest in peace, dear friend.
JR Charles, formerly of Oconee County, is now the Vice President of Economic Development, Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, in Carrollton.
The Douglas-Coffee County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Authority have selected John A. Henry (formerly with the Effingham County IDA) as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the two organizations.
Dawn Malin, formerly with the Development Authority of the City of Folkston and Charlton County, is now the President & CEO, McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority.
Chuck Scragg is now a Consultant & Interim Executive Director, with the Brantley County Development Authority.
Mel Baxter, President of the Brunswick and Glynn Economic Development Authority, announced his intentions to step down, but will continue in his role until a suitable replacement is found.
Congratulations to the following for achieving the UGA Georgia Certified Economic Developer Certification: Jillian Brown, Graduate Research Assistant, Georgia Institute of Technology; Kyle Fletcher, Executive Director, Thomaston-Upson IDA; Adela Kelly, GDEcD Region 7 Project Manager; Stephanie Scearce, GDEcD Region 1 Project Manager. Dr. Laura Meadows, Director, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, The University of Georgia, presented the awards at the GEDA 2018 Spring Workshop on Jekyll Island.
Congratulations to the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority and Tre’ Wilkins, Interim CEO, for receiving a GRAD Site designation at SW18.
Congratulations to Kathy Oxford, Executive Director, Barnesville-Lamar County Industrial Development Authority, who was approved to receive a $1,000 scholarship to an International Trade Show from GEDA’s Professional Development Committee. Interested in a grant, then click HERE.
Laura Pemberton, former Project Manager, GDEcD, Global Commerce Division, has left to pursue other opportunities.
Young Professional's Spotlight on Bob Kosek
Bob Kosek is a Project Manager on the Metro Atlanta Chamber's (MAC) Project Management and Regional Partnership team. In this role, Bob maintains a network of real estate professionals, HR recruiters, and economic developers to ensure existing and new to market businesses have all of the tools necessary to grow and thrive in the region.
While at MAC, Bob has assisted over 50 companies, international and domestic, land and expand in Metro Atlanta including Switch Data Centers, Sysco, Flexport, and Feature Space.
Bob joined MAC in 2014 as Technology Sector intern and moved to the Project Management team as an Associate Project Manager in 2015. He is a native of Cleveland, Ohio, received his BA in Political Science from Ohio University and MPA from Georgia State University. He resides in Atlanta’s Upper Westside with his wife Makenzie and dogs George and Gracie.
GEDA New Members
Stacey Chapman, Pieper O'Brien Herr Architects
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.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development Board, Advisers and Staff toured the Georgia Public Service Commission Training Center on Thursday, May 24th.
Project Announcements
Solar cell manufacturer to create more than 500 jobs in Whitfield County - Hanwha Q CELLS Korea to invest $150 million in Dalton
May 30, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that Hanwha Q CELLS Korea, a leader in the global solar industry, will create more than 500 jobs and invest $150 million in a new solar module manufacturing facility in Dalton.
Congratulations to the team players involved in this project: Carl Campbell, Executive Director, and Ali Harp, Project Manager, Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority; Yoonie Kim, Senior Project Manager, Global Commerce Division, and Costas Simoglou, Director, Georgia Center of Innovation for Energy Technology, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Bradley Harris, Manager, Economic Development, Georgia EMC. Read more…
Dixie Color to create 100 jobs in Chattooga County - Manufacturer of color resin pellets to invest more than $19 million in Trion
May 18, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that Dixie Color, Inc., a color resin pellets manufacturing company, will create 100 jobs and invest more than $19 million in a new Dixie Specialty Fibers facility in Trion. New jobs will include production, management, supervisory, technician and administrative positions.
Kudos to the team members, who worked this project, including: Jason Winters, Commissioner, Chattooga County; Mayor Larry Stansell, Town of Trion; Keith Barclift, CEdD, Northwest Georgia JDA; Stephanie Scearce, Regional Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Global Commerce Division; and Elyse Davis, Northwest Georgia Community Development Manager, Georgia Power. Read more…
GILDAN CREATES NEW JOBS IN COLUMBUS
May 7, 2018 –The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Gildan Yarns, LLC, will be expanding the production capacity of their facilities in Columbus to better meet the demands for specialty yarns. The Company expects to create approximately 80 jobs in the coming months which will include supervisory, production and maintenance positions.
Congrats to Brian Sillitto, CEcD, Executive Vice President of Economic Development, Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce and Columbus Development Authority; Jamie Loyd, CEcD, Vice President of Economic Development, Columbus Technical College; Anna Hurt, Regional Project Manager, GDEcD, Global Commerce Division, and Brett Lacy, Programs Director, Workforce Division, GDEcD; and Lynne Jones, Regional Economic Development Coordinator, Georgia Department of Labor; the team players on this project. Read more…
Other Announcements
GEORGIA TOURISM ANNOUNCES 2018 “100 PLATES LOCALS LOVE” LIST List included in the new state Culinary Guide, Georgia Eats
June 4, 2018 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Tourism Division (GDEcD) released the 2018 state culinary guide, Georgia Eats. The fourth annual digest-sized guide features the wildly popular “100 Plates Locals Love” list, as well as 10 flavor tours that showcase inspiring dining options, a gallery of the state’s most Instagrammable foods, unique festivals, delectable recipes from a few of Georgia’s celebrated chefs and more. Read more…
Plan now to attend the GEDA 2018 Annual Conference (AC18) in Savannah. SIX (6) scholarships of $600 each have been approved by the GEDA board for attendees at the AC18. Apply today for a GEDA Professional Development grant. Also, you can attend one of the University of Georgia’s Certified Economic Developer courses, or one of the courses sponsored by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC)! Check out the Professional Development Committee on the GEDA website, or contact Saralyn Stafford, GEDA Chair, Professional Development; & Division Director, Community Development, Georgia Department of Community Affairs.
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 2018 Action Plans
Upcoming Events
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Young Professional's Spotlight on Bob Kosek
