To learn about sponsorship opportunities click HERE, or contact Jessica Hood at jhood@selectburke.com.
Recent Events
Thanks to all who hosted, sponsored and attended the Regional Events in July. Also, note that one Regional Event will take place in August at the Coast on Wednesday, August 22nd.
Region 4 Social, Cabin on Flint River, Upson County, Monday, July 16. Thanks to Kyle Fletcher, Executive Director, Thomaston-Upson County IDA, for organizing.
Coastal Region 12, Good News Event, Coastal Regional Commission in Darien at 11:00 on Wednesday, August 22nd, contact: Jason Coley, Coastal Region Community Development Manager, Georgia Power Company.
11th Annual Good News Gathering, Chateau Elan, Wednesday, July 18. Thanks to Rope Roberts, Northeast Georgia Community Development Manager, Georgia Power Company, for organizing.
4th Annual Northwest Good News Event, Northwest Georgia Technical College, Wednesday, July 25. Thank you to Elyse Davis, Northwest Georgia Community Development Manager, Georgia Power, for coordinating.
GEDA News
Workshop on Spec Buildings
The Rural Development Shared Interest Group (SIG) will present a panel of speakers to address the current relevance of industrial spec buildings in rural Georgia. This session will take place immediately after the GEDA August Luncheon on Monday, August 20th at the Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) boardroom, 75 Fifth St., NW, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30308 (Centergy One Building). There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP, since space is limited. Panelists include:
John Drake, Vice President-Business Development, Pattillo Construction Corp. Mike Grundmann, Director, Advanced Manufacturing Team, Georgia Department of Economic Development Greg Haynes, Senior Vice President, CBRE Industrial & Logistics Group Rick McCaskill, Executive Director, Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County
GDEcD and GEDA Joint Announcement
GDEcD and GEDA are happy to announce that nominations for the 2019 Small Business ROCK STARS are now open and close September 15. We have two months to encourage our small businesses to apply or you may nominate them yourselves. A few changes for the upcoming year include the addition of categories and also peer-to-peer judging, where the 2018 ROCK STARS will judge the finalists. Contact Mary Ellen McClanahan at 404-962-4820 with any questions.
GEDA Public Policy Survey
Last chance to participate in the GEDA Public Policy Survey. Click HERE to access the survey.
Thank you to all of you who have taken time to participate. For those of you who started, but haven’t finished, there is still time to complete the survey.
Chair's Column
Seasons Change
If you are like me, then you can hardly believe it is August! We are in the middle of summer and stores are already putting out Fall merchandise. As a child, I always thought that time passed as slowly as molasses, but as an adult, I want time to slow down to allow me to reflect on the activities that make up the fabric of my life, but seasons change, and we are ever looking forward. GEDA is no exception to this. July is a month we use to get together regionally and share good news and events, while behind the scenes planning is heavily underway for the Annual Conference next month. We are also looking ahead to the next legislative session and have sent out a survey that I encourage all of you to take the time to complete. If you have not already done so, please take the Public Policy Survey.
Dawn Malin, formerly the Executive Director of the Development Authority of the City of Folkston and Charlton County, is now the President & CEO of the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority.
Darrell Moore, President, Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority, will leave to take on the inaugural role of Executive Director of the Valdosta State University Center for South Georgia Regional Impact as of August 13th.
Ryan Moore, EDFP, formerly Director, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Office of Economic Development, has accepted the position of President, Brunswick & Glynn County Development Authority.
Wally Orrel no sooner retired from the McIntosh County Industrial Development Authority, than he started working as the Executive Director for the Jekyll Island GA Hospitality Association.
Yvonne Williams, Executive Director for the Griffin Downtown Development Authority, has been named as President/CEO of the Macon Chamber of Commerce.
Georgia Power has had a number of personnel changes in the past few months, including: Johnna Robinson, formerly Manager of Community Development, moved to Land Sales Manager; Kristy Rachal, formerly Land Sales Manager, switched positions with Johnna to become Manager of Community Development; Mickey Daniell, formerly Energy Efficiency Education Team Leader, moved to Community Development Manager in Central Georgia; Brian Green, formerly with Southern Nuclear, is now the Community Development Manager in Metro South; and Charlie Moseley, formerly with the Metro Atlanta Chamber, is now a Business Recruitment Director on the Business Recruitment Team.
GEDA New Members
William Back, Dade County Industrial Development Authority Shonda Blair, Taylor County Development Authority Robin Bloss, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Office of Economic Development Chris Chammoun, Georgia Department of Economic Development Tasha Hall-Garrison, City of College Park Greg Icard, Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority Michelle Nguyen, Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Carmen D. Royal Cole, Liberty County Development Authority Cheney V. Thomasson, Augusta Economic Development Taylor Walden, Georgia Department of Economic Development 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
thyssenkrupp Elevator Americas Business Unit to create more than 650 jobs in Cobb County
Leading building transportation company to invest more than $200 million in new headquarters and innovation complex
July 26, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that thyssenkrupp Elevator Americas Business Unit, one of the leading building transportation companies in North America and a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp AG, will create more than 650 new jobs and invest more than $200 million in its new headquarters and innovation complex in Cobb County. Upon completion, the new complex will include three facilities anchored by a state-of-the-art, 420-foot-tall elevator qualification and test tower, the tallest of its kind in the nation.
Congratulations to the team members, who worked to bring this project to fruition, including: Brooks Mathis, Vice President, Economic Development, the Cobb Chamber of Commerce; Ashley Varnum, Senior Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Global Commerce Division; Brenda Robbins, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; Gregg Simon, Vice President, Economic Development, the Metro Atlanta Chamber; and Greg King, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, Georgia Tech. Read more…
Complete Flooring Supply Corporation to create 100 jobs in Gordon County
Flooring supplier to invest $30 million in first U.S. manufacturing facility
July 23, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that Complete Flooring Supply Corporation (CFS), a flooring supplier for retailers in the U.S. and Canada, will create 100 jobs and invest $30 million in Gordon County. This announcement coincides with a state leadership economic development mission in China.
Kudos to Kathy Johnson, President, Gordon County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority; Stella Xu , Director for Greater China Region Initiatives, GDEcD Global Commerce Division; Georgia EMC; and others on the team that worked to locate this project. Read more…
Five Below to Create More than 130 jobs in Monroe County, Invest $70 million
July 18, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that Five Below, a leading high-growth value retailer, will create 130 jobs and invest $70 million to build a new distribution center in Monroe County. The initial investment includes $42 million in land and building and approximately $28 million in machinery and equipment. Additional investment will occur over the next five years.
Congratulations to the team members who worked on this project, including: Bo Gregory, Jr., President, Development Authority of Monroe County; Joshua Stephens, Senior Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Global Commerce Division; Charlie Moseley, Director of Project Management, Metro Atlanta Chamber (now with Georgia Power); Brenda Robbins, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; Stacy Watson, General Manager, Economic & Industrial Development, Georgia Ports Authority; and Rodger Brown, Director of Strategic Communications, Georgia Quick Start. Read more…
Premier Tire to Employ 30 and Invest $1.5 million in Washington County – Company to Retread Truck Tires
July 18, 2018 – The Development Authority of Washington County, at their regularly scheduled quarterly meeting on Wednesday, July 18, announced that Premier Tire Distributors, Inc. will be locating in the former Bennett Building in Tennille.
A shout out to the following team members who worked to get to this announcement: Jayson Johnston, Executive Director, and members of the Development Authority of Washington County; the Washington County Board of Commissioners; the City of Tennille; Adela Kelley, Regional Senior Project Manager, Region 7, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; Ginger Carrington, Regional Coordinator, Georgia Department of Labor; and Carrie Lokey, Business Services/Training and Employment Coordinator, WorkSource, East Central Georgia (WIOA). Read more…
Georgia-Pacific to create 130 jobs in Albany - Leading supplier of building products to invest $150 million in Dougherty County lumber production facility
July 31, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that Georgia-Pacific LLC, a leading supplier of building products and materials, will create 130 jobs and invest $150 million in a new state-of-the-art lumber production facility in Dougherty County.
Way to go Justin Strickland, President, Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission; and Wylly Harrison, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness and Food Team Director, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; and Raj Varma and Varoon Laddha with KPMG; who worked to bring make this project happen . Read more…
Nichiha Corporation to invest $120 million in Macon-Bibb County expansion - Japan-based manufacturer of fiber cement products to create more than 70 jobs in facility expansion
August 1, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that Nichiha Corporation, a global manufacturer of fiber cement products, will create 74 jobs and invest $120 million in an expansion of its manufacturing facility in Macon-Bibb County. New jobs will include positions in management and operations.
Congratulations to the team who worked this project, including: Stephen Adams, Acting Executive Director, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority; Tony Greene, Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; and Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power! Read more…
Other Announcements
Applications for 2018 Georgia Automotive Awards now open
The Georgia Department of Economic Development is excited to announce that it is accepting nominations for the 2018 Georgia Automotive Awards. Now in its third year, 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 in October.
Last year’s Georgia Automotive Award winners include:
Elan Technology – Innovator of the Year
TD Automotive Compressor Georgia and Toyota Industries Compressor Parts America, Co. – Automotive Supplier of the Year
Mercedes-Benz USA – Community Impact Award
Lund International – Georgia Automotive Company of the Year
Greg Vitek, IMS Gear Georgia, Inc – Randy Jackson Leader of the Year Award
To complete a nomination for the 2018 Georgia Automotive Awards, click here. Applications close August 10.
Georgia Council for the Arts Awards Grant Funding to 132 Organizations
July 9, 2018 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) today announced the recipients of its Partner, Project and Arts Education grants for fiscal year 2019. One hundred and thirty-two organizations throughout the state were collectively awarded more than $1 million in funding. Funding for operating support (Partner Grant) was awarded to 63 organizations across the state, support for arts projects (Project Grant) was awarded to 36 organizations, 31 organizations received the Arts Education Program Grant and two received funding for Literary Art Programs. Read more…
GLOBAL COMMERCE GENERATES $5.56 BILLION IN INVESTMENTS - GDEcD’s Global Commerce Division helped create 27,373 jobs in FY 18
August 1, 2018 – Governor Nathan Deal announced that the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce Division helped create a total of 27,373 new jobs during FY 18, generating $5.56 billion in investments. This growth is the result of a record-breaking 419 expansion or relocation projects throughout the state.
Congratulations to Tom Croteau, Deputy Commissioner, GDEcD Global Commerce and all the team members of this Division on their significant achievement, along with all their partners! Read more…
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC) will host its 2018 Annual Conference in Atlanta this year on September 30-October 3 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. The theme of the conference is “Inclusive Economic Development – Fulfilling Dreams.” Register today by clicking HERE.
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)! IEDC will have its Annual Conferencein Atlanta this September 30-October 3 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta, with the theme of Inclusive Economic Development – Fulfilling Dreams.
Check out the Professional Development Committee on the GEDA website, or contact Saralyn Stafford, GEDA Chair, Professional Development; & Rural Development Manager, CVIOG, The University of Georgia.
Public Policy Committee
TheGEDA Public Policy Committee has sent out a survey to gain a better understanding of your public policy interests and incentives. Let us hear from you by completing the short survey today. Thank you!
Sponsorship Committee
GEDA is over half way to its Annual Conference sponsorship goal. If you are interested in sponsoring the Annual Conference please contact Jessica Hood at jhood@selectburke.com or Kelly McLendon at kmclendon@georgia.org.
Rural Development SIG
August 14-15. The Georgia House of Representatives Rural Development Council will meet in Elberton at the Elbert County Campus of Athens Technical College, 1317 Athens Highway. The Council is in its second year of committee hearings and will discuss “Economic Development and Incentives for Regionalism.” It plans to meet on the afternoon of the 14th beginning at 12:30pm and on the morning of the 15th beginning at 8:00am.
August 20, 2:00pm. The Rural Development Shared Interest Group (SIG) will present a panel of speakers to address the current relevance of industrial spec buildings in rural Georgia. This session will take place immediately after the GEDA August Luncheon on Monday, August 20th at the Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) boardroom, 75 Fifth St., NW, Suite 850, Atlanta, GA 30308 (Centergy One Building). There is no cost to attend, but please RSVP, since space is limited. Panelists include:
John Drake, Vice President-Business Development, Pattillo Construction Corp. Mike Grundmann, Director, Advanced Manufacturing Team, Georgia Department of Economic Development Greg Haynes, Senior Vice President, CBRE Industrial & Logistics Group Rick McCaskill, Executive Director, Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County
September 19-21. GEDA’s annual conference in Savannah will also address topics relevant to rural economic development.
October 3-4. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Rural Prosperity Summit in Tifton.
Entrepreneurship SIG
GDEcD and GEDA are happy to announce that nominations for the 2019 Small Business ROCK STARS are now open and close September 15. We have two months to encourage our small businesses to apply or you may nominate them yourselves. A few changes for the upcoming year include the addition of categories and also peer-to-peer judging, where the 2018 ROCK STARS will judge the finalists. So visit www.georgia.org/rockstars July 15 and let the nominations begin. Questions? Mary Ellen McClanahan at memcclanahan@georgia.org or 404-962-4820.
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
GDEcD and GEDA Joint Announcement 
