June 2010 Newsletter

Featured articles Special Offer Annual Conference Room Block Call for Nominations International Missions Scholarships Angel Investor Workshop LINK! TWEET! CONNECT! Spring Workshop Survey GEDA Hosts Angel Investor Tax Credit Workshop House Bill 1069 contains a measure will will deliver a critical boost to Georgia's high tech industry by providing an income tax credit of up to $50,000 for individuals who invest in innovative start-up companies in Georgia.  This new legislation will assit Georgia in attracting a much-needed influx of angel investment and venture capital to spur business development for intellectual property constantly being generated out of world-renowned educational institutions and research organizations.  Click here to learn more about this session, hosted by GEDA, the Technology Association of Georgia and the Gwinnett Chamber Technology Council.  The program will take place on Friday, June 25th at the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce. Connect to GEDA Easiest Way to Receive Updates Real Simple Synidcation (RSS) feeds are now available for this new version of the GEDA Gazette.  At the very bottom of this screen, you will seen several words - one of them is "RSS."  Click on RSS and you will go to a sign up page for the RSS feeds.  Once there, you can name the feed, place it in a folder, etc.  Once you have finished this - whenever a new Gazette is published, it will automatically appear in your RSS Feed folder (which is in Microsoft Outlook for many people.)  This is the easiest and quisckest way to get the LATEST updates from GEDA!  Survey is Still Open! We are still collecting responses for the Spring Workshop Survey on SurveyMonkey.  Let us know what you thought!  Go to http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/geda-spring-2010 to complete the quick, simple survey.

Ink Publishing Offer to GEDA Members Ink Publishing is a proud sponsor of the GEDA Spring Workshop and the publisher of 35 in-flight magazine titles worldwide including AirTran Airways, Go Magazine and United Airlines, Hemispheres Magazine.  These publications are a direct source to CEO's of thousands of organizations, both nationally and internationally.  The magazines are read regularly by the airline's frequent business travelers and have relevant business features in each issue.  They offer an excellent opportunity to pitch the benefits of operating businesses in your area.  Ink is offering all GEDA members and Conference attendees significant discounts in all their publications.  Please contact Hope Levy at 678-553-8084 for more information.  Click here to view all Ink Publishing Magazines Online.  Click on any cover to review the magazine page by page. Annual Conference Room Block! ROOMS ARE NOW AVAILABLE!  GEDA has negotiated a special room rate of $169 per night at the Savannah Riverfront Marriott for Annual Conference.  That's right - we'll be back at the Marriott this year from September 22-24 for our 47th Annual Conference.  Make sure to reserve your room TODAY at our headquarters hotel.   Call 800-285-0398 to reserve your room.  (We have some rooms available for Tuesday night as well, for all of you who would like to come down early.)  This year's Annual Conference is already shaping up to be a great one.  Scheduled (or invited) to speak are: our final two Gubernatorial candidates for 2010 (we'll know names once the primaries are over) and Dr. Jeffrey Rosensweig, "Global Guru" and one of GEDA's favorites presenters!  There will be much more involved with the program, so make your hotel reservations now and keep watching your inbox for more Conference information. Awards Time! Since Annual Conference is near, that must mean it's time to Nominate for the GEDA Awards! Each year at the GEDA Annual Confernce, we host an Awards Banquet to recognize some of our brightest stars and most amazing achievements.  These awards include: Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence Governor Zell Miller Public Policy Leadership Award Volunteer of the Year Award Honorary Lifetime Membership Deal of the Year awards for three communities YOU get to submit the names and accomplishments that will be considered by the Board of Directors and Professional Development Committee.  Click here to continue reading and learn what the awards are all about and how to submit information.  Contact Andrea Schruijer to submit names and/or projects to be considered for the Awards. Scholarships Available GEDA can help three communities take an International Trade Mission Don’t allow lack of funding to prevent you from participating in international trade missions and trade shows.  GEDA is here to assist.  Three communities benefited from GEDA’s International Trade Mission Scholarships last year and this year, one of those communities could be yours. Visit the Professional Development Committee page to view applications and deadlines for GEDA’s International Trade Mission Scholarship and other scholarship opportunities that are available to promote continuing education and professional development. For more information on international trade missions and trades shows, please visit Upcoming Business Missions. For those who are already registered for the upcoming Farnborough International Air Show, it is not too late to take advantage of this scholarship opportunity.  Please contact Leah Blasingame for more information.

Upcoming Events June 21, 2010 - Monthly Luncheon in Macon.  Early Bird Deadline is FRIDAY!! REGISTER NOW Three Site Selection Consultants on the Panel: Amy Gerber, Jones Lang LaSalle Kate McEnroe, Kate McEnroe Consulting Jay Garner, Garner Economics SUMBIT YOUR QUESTIONS! - Click here to email us questions you would like the Consultants to answer at our luncheon.  We will take brief comments from each presenter and then open the floor to questions from YOU! July - No Program August 23, 2010 - Monthly Luncheon, Piedmont Park.  Catering by The Varsity! Welcome New Members Troels Adrian, Georgia Tech Grant Buckley, The Jordan Firm Michael Chlopek, Whiting-Turner Jacqueline Connoe, Sylvania Manufactured Homes Brandt Herndon, Fayette County Development Authority Luke Howe, City of Doraville Leslie Kane, Crye-Leike Relocation Services Patrick McCarthy, Rabey Electric Company Lindsay Myers, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development Christopher Park, Batson-Cook Company Jack Perry, Tift County Development Authority Molly Taylor, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Cerita Willie, Student Nicole Wright, Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development

May 2010 Newsletter

Featured Articles Bylaws Revision Spring Workshop Registration Sad News Rooms at Spring Workshop June Luncheon  Sine Die June Luncheon Speakers GEDA is pleased to welcome three consultants. Each year for the past several years, GEDA has welcomed site selection consultants to a monthly luncheon, and that always seems to be one of our most popular programs.  This year will be no different, as we are bringing three leaders to address our membership: Amy Gerber, Senior Vice President at Jones Lang LaSalle Jay Garner, President of Garner Economics Kate McEnroe, President of Kate McEnroe Consulting In response to your feedback on our most recent survey, GEDA will take our show on the road for this program.  We will be meeting at the new Macon Marriott City Center.  The program will be held on June 21.  Watch next month's Gazette and your email for more details. Sine Die (Finally) 2009-2010 Legislative Session Draws to a Close   The 2009-2010 Georgia General Assembly finally dropped the final gavel on April 29, the latest adjournment date in modern history. Please see the attached legislative update.  There, you can read about those bills and resolutions that have passed both legislative bodies and now sit on Governor Perdue's desk, awaiting a signature or veto. Campaign season is cranking up now, so we will have plenty to digest and process over the next several months.

GEDA Bylaws Revision Are major changes in store for GEDA?  YOU help decide! Over the past few years, the GEDA Executive Committee and Board of Directors have been approached with some potential tweaks to our Bylaws - some of them major and some minor.  There were a few more requests that came forward last year.  President Pat Topping took that as an opportunity to go through the entire document and see what revisions were needed and what changes could be made to make us a better Association for you.  President Topping appointed a Task Force, co-chaired by Bob Simmons and Timothy Wang, to go through the entire document; compare against the Bylaws of like associations within Georgia AND outside the state; and to make recommendations on ways we could improve.  After months of review and study, the Bylaws Revision Task Force presented a document to the Board of Directors in January.  Since then, there has been a greatd eal of discussion regarding those proposed changes and what should be submitted to the membership for the vote.  Rest assured, GEDA members, the document you are seeing has been very well thought out and discussed at length.  There are no changes included here that were put in here just for the sake of change.  There is a meaning and story behind every change.  There are a few documents for your review that are available on this special website. What we need from YOU is for you to review this document.  Study it and, more importantly, let us know what you think!  We have a Discussion Forum available for people to share their ideas, thoughts, comments, concerns and questions.  You can go to the Discussion Forum and review all of the materials, read what others think and post your own thoughts and ideas. NOTE:  We WILL have a vote on these proposed Bylaws changes at the 2010 Spring Workshop!  We hope that everyone will come to the meeting informed and feeling as though they had input into the decisions.  We want what is best for GEDA!  So, make your voice heard! Spring Workshop Registration TODAY is the Spring Workshop Early Bird deadline!  Make sure to get your reservation in today!  Go to our registration page to learn more.  JEKYLL CONSTRUCTION UPDATE:  Also, please be aware that Jekyll Island's lone gas station is no longer in service.  They are busily working on building a new one in the same location.  However, it will not be open until after we have departed.  Please make sure to fill up your tanks BEFORE you get onto the island!  Sad News From GEDA  Long-time GEDA supporter and a tireless advocate for rural economic development in Georgia, Johnny Clifton passed away last week. Mr. John F. “Johnny” Clifton, age 60 of Ailey, died Friday, April 30, 2010 at his home. He was a lifelong resident of Montgomery County, and a 1967 Graduate of Montgomery County High School. He was a farmer for many years, and in 1981 was named “Man of the Year” in the Soil and Water Conservation Monthly. He was employed with Weyerhaeuser of Lyons for ten years, and was the Executive Director of the Montgomery Chamber of Commerce for ten years. He was a member of the Higgston Baptist Church, and was preceded in death by his father, T.R. Clifton on April 9th 2010.   Mr. Clifton is survived by his wife, Gloria Joseph Clifton of Ailey, three children, Candice Clifton and Derek Clifton of Savannah and Clay Clifton of Ailey, his mother, Mary C. Clifton of Ailey, his mother-in-law, Margaret Joseph, a sister-in-law, Darla Kicklighter of both of Glennville, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He loved and was loved by his friends and family.   Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the American Heart Association, 1101 Northchase Parkway Suite 1 Marietta, GA 30067, or by visiting their website at www.americanheart.org.   Room Block for Spring Workshop Information about our rooms at the Hampton Inn Spring Workshop is going to be a hit!  At least, we can guess that based on the hotel room situation.  We have only a few rooms left at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel, so we have blocked rooms at the brand new Hampton Inn & Suites.  Call 912-635-0668 and ask to speak with Claire Moody.  Tell her you are with the Georgia Economic Developers Association for our special rate of only $119 a night.

Upcoming Events May 19-21  GEDA Spring Workshop.  Register today.  (Early bird deadline is THIS FRIDAY, May 7!) June 21  Monthly Luncheon featuring three site selection consultants!  Macon Marriott City Center. JULY  NO PROGRAM IN JULY. New Members Please help us welcome our newest members! Molly Taylor, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Brandt Herndon, Fayette County Development Authority Luke Howe, City of Doraville Cerita Willie, Student Christopher Park, Batson Cook Construction Leslie Kane, Crye-Leike Relocation   Connect with GEDA Easiest Way to Receive Updates Real Simple Synidcation (RSS) feeds are now available for this new version of the GEDA Gazette.  At the very bottom of this screen, you will seen several words - one of them is "RSS."  Click on RSS and you will go to a sign up page for the RSS feeds.  Once there, you can name the feed, place it in a folder, etc.  Once you have finished this - whenever a new Gazette is published, it will automatically appear in your RSS Feed folder (which is in Microsoft Outlook for many people.)  This is the easiest and quisckest way to get the LATEST updates from GEDA!

April 2010 Newsletter

This Month's Features Welcome Candice Crossfield!! Sad News RSS Feeds Did You Know  Legislative Update  Connect to GEDA Upcoming GEDA Events Other Upcoming Events Welcome New Members DID YOU KNOW?? First in a series of Features about Lesser-Known geda.org tools ... For the next few months - we will run a feature each month on a lesser-known and infrequently used portion of www.geda.org.  This month - we will highlight our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page. We at GEDA have tried to anticipate what questions the membership will have from time to time.  We have answered these questions on the FAQ page.  Examples include: What is my user name and password? How do I register for a Conference/Luncheon? Am I eligible to win a scholarship? How do I change my contact information? How do I post a job in the Job Center? There are currently eleven (11) questions on the FAQ page and we're always looking for more!  Do you have something that you just can't figure out?  Ask us and we may post the question and answer on the FAQ page!  Go check it out and let us know what you think. Next month's topic ... the Discussion Forum. April Legislative Update Latest Updates from the Gold Dome Click here to read the latest update from the state Capitol.  The General Assembly will be in recess all of this week, but will return on April 12th.  In the attached update many bills that we were tracking are no longer listed.  This is because they did not clear at least the House or Senate by Crossover Day. They are now dead for this session.  All legislation listed below is still under discussion for the 2009-2010 session. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!  GEDA's strength is in the ability of our members to voice their opinions on this legislation to their local Representatives and Senators. Connect with GEDA! Are you a "fan" of GEDA?  Are you Linked with us?  Do you follow our Tweets?

GEDA Welcomes Candice Crossfield Our newest team member ...  GEDA is pleased to announce the hiring of Candice Crossfield as the new Manager, Member Services!  Candice comes to us from Electric Cities of Georgia where she was instrumental in event coordination and member services while at ECG.  Prior to ECG, Candice worked in hospitality sales for the Ritz-Carlton, Monte Carlo Productions and Disney Regional Entertainment.  We know that Candice has a great deal of energy, professionalism and industry knowledge and will be a great addition to the GEDA Team. Candice holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Georgia State University.  She was previously on the Board of Directors of Georgia Meeting Professionals International (GaMPI). A native of Georgia, Candice interests include traveling, music and reading.  She is married to her high school sweetheart, Kyle, and they have a wonderful little boy, Brantley. Sad News From GEDA George Leverett passed away April 2 George Cleveland Leverett III, 58, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers State Bank and a highly respected community leader died peacefully at his home with his family at his bedside on April 02, 2010 after a courageous two year battle with cancer. He was the son of Mrs. Geneva Morriss Leverett and the late George Cleveland Leverett, Jr. A native of Lincolnton, he graduated from Lincoln County High School in 1970. He was selected as Mr. Lincoln County High School his senior year. Mr. Leverett received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from the University of Georgia. He was a graduate of the Georgia School of Banking and the Graduate School of Banking of the South, Louisiana State University. Mr. Leverett had a very accomplished 36-year banking career. He began his career with Georgia Railroad Bank and Trust in Augusta, Georgia, before joining his father at Farmers State Bank in Lincolnton, Georgia, in 1977. Mr. Leverett served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Farmers State Bank from 1984 until 2010. Under his leadership, the bank experienced substantial sound growth and expanded operations into Washington, Georgia, in 1997. Click here to read the full article ... RSS Feeds   The easiest way to get GEDA Updates  RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication."  Plainly stated - when you subscribe to the GEDA feeds through RSS, you can get the latest, quickest and simplest updates from GEDA - without liting a finger!  RSS will automatically send updates from the GEDA website (two different sections - Calendar of Events and Newsletter) whenever we make changes.  They will automatically appear in your email program.  I guess you can see why they call it "REALLY SIMPLE Syndication". To subscribe for the calendar updates, click here and follow the easy steps. For Newsletter updates, follow this link and sign up today!

Upcoming Events April 19, 2010 Monthly Luncheon Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre Early Bird deadline expires THIS Friday, April 9th! Register today! Sponsored by the Douglas-Coffee County Chamber & Development Authority May 19-21, 2010 Spring Workshop Jekyll Island, GA Register online Make your hotel reservations.  Only a few rooms remain! Click here for Sponsorship Information June 21, 2010 Monthly Luncheon Macon Marriott Program TBD Sponsored by the Joint Development Authority of Metro Atlanta Non-GEDA Events Calendar Items from Our Partners ICSC Alliance Program - April 14 Manufacturer's Week Appreciation Luncheon - April 15 Georgia Logistics Summit - April 29 International Conference on Business Incubation - May 16-19, 2010 Welcome New Members Leonard Burge Georgia Tech (student) Charlie Moseley Georgia Tech (student) Anthony Bryant Atlanta Bread Co (student) Michael Grella PricewaterhouseCoopers Luke Morgan Douglas-Coffee County EDA Walter Orrel McIntosh County IDA Nell Ford Atkinson County

March 2010 Newsletter

This Month's Features Farewell to Chevelle Spring Workshop Rooms Available GEDA Needs YOU! Membership Renewals Legislative Update  Connect to GEDA Other Upcoming Events Membership Dues Renewal Time is Running Out! The 2010 dues invoice/directory update has been sent to all members.  Don't allow your membership to expire.  Any membership that remains unpaid at the end of this month will automatically move to inactive status. However, there's still time to  Renew Your Membership March Legislative Update Latest Updates from the Gold Dome Click here to read the latest update from the state Capitol.  The General Assembly will be in recess all of this week, but will return for four days of work beginning on March 8th.  We are more than halfway through the session this year, so these next few weeks will be crucial to see what happens as relates to the budget, transportation and water. Connect with GEDA! Are you a "fan" of GEDA?  Are you Linked with us?  Do you follow our Tweets? Other Upcoming Events Calendar Items from Our Partners Entrepreneur Summit - March 2-3 Fanning Institute Development Authority Board Training - March 10-11 GACCE Staff Clinic - March 16-18 NBA "The Big Deal" - March 23-24 Georgia Logistics Summit - April 29

The End of the Wilson Era A Farewell to Chevelle As I am sure everyone is now fully aware, Chevelle Wilson has decided to move on from GEDA.  After over seven years of very loyal and dedicated service to GEDA, Chevelle will be moving on to a GREAT opportunity!  I know that this was a difficult decision for her, but in the end - I know that she did was in her best interest, both personally and professionally.  Because of everything that she has done for all of us and everything she has meant to the Association, we will certainly miss her, but also wish her nothing but luck in her new endeavors.  Chevelle begins working on Monday, March 1 at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta.  I am pretty sure that she does NOT have the keys to the vault where they store all of the money! GEDA asks that you please be patient during this transition period.  As of now, GEDA will have one staff member until the position can be filled.  (And trust me - a lot of work has happened in the last two weeks to fill the position as quickly as possible and with the best possible candidate.)  Also - even when a new Manager, Member Services comes on board, there will certainly be a learning period with the new hire.  Keep watching your email for updates as we move along.  Rest assured - GEDA will do everything that we can so that your member experience is just as strong as ever! Get Your Rooms for Spring Workshop! Jekyll Island Club Hotel The room block at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel is NOW OPEN!  We have a limited number of rooms available at our host property, so act fast to make sure you can stay with us.  Call 1-800-535-9547 to book your room today.  Make sure to tell them you're with GEDA to get our GREAT rates (as low as $115 a night!) Spring Workshop will take place from May 19-21, 2010.  We do have rooms available on Tuesday night as well, for those of you that might like to get there a day early.(And we'll have sessions starting right after lunch on Wednesday.  You don't want to miss what JoAnne Lewis and her committee have planned!)  We should have registration available for the Workshop very soon - so keep watching your email for more information.   I do not want to spoil the fun when we unveil the theme and logo in the next few weeks, but as a teaser - you will be amazed at the ideas that we have to help you ride the wave to recovery.                                                          GEDA Wants YOU! Award Winners and Board/Committee Chair Nominees GEDA has a few opportunities coming up for you to nominate your fellow GEDA member!  It is never too early to start thinking about who you think should be rewarded for their service to economic development and to GEDA.  Go to our Awards Page to learn about GEDA's awards - let us know if you think you have the perfect candidate for one of these awards!  Send an email to the Special Service Awards Committee - and make sure to give documentation as to WHY this person is so deserving! We will also soon begin our discussions about the future leadership of GEDA.  Each summer, the Nominating Committee meets to determine who they feel should be presented to the membership as our Officers and Directors for the coming years.  They spend a great deal of time and thought discussing the candidates and striving to find the best leaders possible.  They also rely on nominations from the membership.  So - please let us know who you feel would make a good officer ... a good Director ... a good Committee Chair.  Your recommendations (as long as they are in support of a current GEDA member in good standing) will make it to the Nominating Committee and WILL be discussed. Email us at mpennington@georgia.org to let us know who you think belongs on the Board!

Upcoming Events March 15, 2010 - Monthly Luncheon, Hotel Palomar Register today!  Early Bird deadline expires THIS Friday, March 5th! April 19, 2010 - Monthly Luncheon, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre May 19-21, 2010 - Spring Workshop, Jekyll Island, GA GEDA 101 Session - and Website Walkthrough Are you new to GEDA?  Economic Development?  Are you looking for ways to get involved with the Association, but just don't yet know how to navigate the waters?  How about the website?  Is it confusing?  Do you wish there was a way that you could gain a better understanding of the site and all of its' features? We have an aswer for ALL of those questions!  The Membership Services Committee will host a "GEDA 101" class right after the March Luncheon.  It will be held on March15th at 2PM in the Georgia EMC Conference Room (7th Floor of the Centergy Building.)  Contact Niki Knox with any questions. Also part of the same session will be a brief overview of www.geda.org - you'll get some tips, tricks and insider knowledge about the website and how best to use it.  Best of all - there will be plenty of time to ask questions about whatever has been bugging you about the site. Welcome New Members Joe Burnett - Downtown Management Services, LLC Barbra Coffee, CEcD - City of College Park Bill Gilbert - H.A. Sack Company Heidi Jeffers - Screven County Chamber of Commerce Chunk Newman - Batson-Cook Construction Samantha Pegues (student) - University of West Georgia

February 2010 Newsletter

Featured Articles New Features on GEDA Website! Award Nominations CEcD Study Group Membership Renewals Legislative Update  Membership Renewals Renew your membership in GEDA today. The 2010 dues invoice/directory update has been sent to all members.  Don't allow your membership to expire.  There's still time to  Renew Your Membership Legislative Update February Legislative Digest  The 2010 Legislative session is underway and in full progress.  Click here for the latest report to track relevant economic development related policy.   Connect with GEDA

New Features on GEDA Website Site Map New website … new look … everything seems to be in a new place ... I can’t find the membership directory!!! I know that the new site can be sometimes confusing. Until you fully experience the navigation of this site, it can be confusing. We have created a SITE MAP to alleviate some of this confusion. Click here and you will see links to all of our main pages. Down the left hand side of the screen are the major subject headers found on our main menu bar, including Membership, Events, News, Committees, etc. Those images are linked to their pages – and to the right are all of the links that can be found in that area. This SITE MAP will be a great way to find whatever you’re looking for at www.geda.org!  Alphabet Soup IEDC, ACCG, IAMC, REAP, SBDC … Economic development is like any other industry group – we have a tremendous amount of alphabet soup! There are so many industry terms and so much jargon, that it can be difficult for newer professionals (and even the seasoned folks) to fully understand all of these terms. Well, GEDA has attempted to compile some of these terms and Acronyms to help you more easily comprehend all of it. Click here to see our list (complete with links to most of the acronyms!)   Special Service Awards Committee Award Nominations Special Service Awards Committee: Committee Chair, Andrea Schruijer would like to be proactive this year in soliciting nominations for special service awards.  So many communities become so heavily involved in their work that they miss out on the recognition that they deserve.  And there are some volunteers who deserve to be honored for their dedication and committment to the economic development of their communities.  Start reviewing the qualifications of Deal of the Year and Volunteer of the Year and consider a deserving project or professional that would be a worthy recipient.  Visit the Special Service Awards Committee page for more information.                                                             Professional Development Opportunity CEcD Study Group, Certification in 2010  Do you have any interest in becoming a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD)?  Would you like to learn more about what it takes, how to do it, what the study & experience requirements are?  Do you think you have what it takes?  GEDA is going to provide information to those people that are interested in learning more.  If there are enough people who are ready to sit for the exam - we will create and help coordinate a CEcD study group!  GEDA has had a GREAT deal of success over the years in successfully guiding people through the process.  In fact, only Texas has more Certified Economic Developers than Georgia does! Email us at mpennington@georgia.org to let us know of your interest.

Upcoming Events February - No Program March 15, 2010 - Monthly Luncheon, Hotel Palomar - Registration Available Soon April 19, 2010 - Monthly Luncheon, Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre May 19-21, 2010 - Spring Workshop, Jekyll Island, GA Welcome New Members Keith Barclift, Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority Mary Beth Bass, UGA Archway Partnership Benjamin Brooks, Smith Gambrell & Russell Joseph Brown, Southwest Georgia United Tedra Cheatham, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce Jeff Dudley, Winter RLG Industrial Construction Jason Fritz, Electric Cities of Georgia Chase Grogan, Student-Georgia Southern University Sarah Harrison, Municipal Consulting Serivices Kevin Johnson, Georgia Power Tino Mantella, Technology Association of Georgia Kirk Mathews, Benning Construction Company Leneva Morgan, Georgia Power Edward Outlaw, Outlaw Consulting, Inc. Shirley Sherrod, USDA Rural Development

January 2010 Newsletter

Featured Articles Your Opinion Counts! 2010 Job Tax Credit Rankings GEDA Scholarships Available Jekyll Island Revitalization Showcase Membership Renewals 2010 Census Membership Renewals Don't wait.  Renew your membership in GEDA today. The 2010 dues invoice/directory update has been sent to all members.  Thank you to those of you who have already renewed and provided updates.  There's still time to  Renew Your Membership 2010 Census! Georgia's Complete Count Committee wants you!   The Georgia Census Complete Count Committee, appointed by Governor Sonny Perdue in October, has just launched a comprehensive Census 2010 website at www.census.georgia.gov, and invites all local Complete Count Committees to visit the Local Communities page and let DCA know who you are and what you're doing.  If your community or special interest group has formed a complete count committee, please let DCA know about it and check out the rest of the website for resources and other information of interest. The Georgia Complete Count Committee is co-chaired by Mike Beatty, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs, and Debra Lyons, Director of the Governor's Office of Workforce Development. For further information, please contact the Georgia CCC at census@dca.ga.gov or call 404.679.3147.

Your Opinion Matters What would you like to see in 2010? Happy New Year!  GEDA would like to start the year off by offering you the opportunity to provide feedback and ideas about YOUR association.  What would you like more/less of in 2010?  What did you like about 2009 or previous years.  We plan to offer these surveys frequently and hope that you will take the time to answer the questions honestly and thoughtfully.   The survey should take only a few minutes of your time.  Your input and suggestions are valuable and we look forward to hearing from you.   Click Here to take the survey.  2010 Job Tax Credit Rankings The 2010 Job Tax Credit Rankings and Less Developed Census Tract Listing are now available and may be accessed at: http://www.dca.ga.gov/economic/TaxCredits/programs/documents/2010MemoandRankingdetail.pdf Additional information on the Job Tax Credit Program, including regulations and forms, may be found on DCA’s Job Tax Credit web page at: http://www.dca.ga.gov/economic/TaxCredits/programs/taxcredit.asp Please feel free to contact DCA at (404) 679-1587 or brian.williamson@dca.ga.gov, or Dawn Sturbaum at (404) 679-1585 or dawn.sturbaum@dca.ga.gov, with any questions or for further information.     GEDA Scholarship Opportunities  Are you a GEDA member in good standing who is interested in professional development and continuing education?  If so, deadlines for several GEDA scholarship opportunities are approaching.  Don’t miss out!  GEDA scholarship application deadlines for International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) courses are 30 days prior to the course.  If you are interested in taking IEDC or EDFP courses in February or March, please get your scholarship applications submitted soon. Also, the deadline for the Georgia Tech Basic Economic Development Course scholarship is March 5, 2010.  The dates of the course are March 23-26, 2010. *APPLICATIONS* for all awards and scholarships can be found on the Professional Development Committee section of GEDA’s website. IEDC Upcoming Courses February 17-19, 2010 Economic Development Finance Programs Lansing, MI March 3-5, 2010 Economic Development Credit Analysis Los Angeles, CA March 18-19, 2010 Economic Development Strategic Planning Springfield, MO EDFP Upcoming Courses March 22-26, 2010 ED 300: The Art of Deal Structuring Charleston, WV                                                             For more information, contact Committee Chair Leah Blasingame. Jekyll Island Revitalization Showcase Attention Hospitality Developers and Investors Discover the unique hospitality development opportunities associated with the revitalization of Jekyll Island! January 20-21, 2010 Jekyll Island Convention Center, Jekyll Island, Georgia.For more information and registration, Click Here

Upcoming Events January 14, 2010 - Legislative Reception, Rail Depot. REGISTER! February - No Program March 15, 2010 - Monthly Luncheon, Hotel Palomar Upcoming Committee Meetings The following committees have upcoming meetings via conference call.  Please contact committee chiars for call instructions and details. Public Policy - Friday, January 8th at 11am.  Committee Chair Andrew Schutt Business Retention & Expanson - Monday, January 11th at 3pm.  Committee Chair Brian Dill Member Services - Tuesday, January 12th at 2pm.  Committee Chair NIki Knox   Connect with GEDA Easiest Way to Receive Updates Real Simple Synidcation (RSS) feeds are now available for this new version of the GEDA Gazette.  At the very bottom of this screen, you will seen several words - one of them is "RSS."  Click on RSS and you will go to a sign up page for the RSS feeds.  Once there, you can name the feed, place it in a folder, etc.  Once you have finished this - whenever a new Gazette is published, it will automatically appear in your RSS Feed folder (which is in Microsoft Outlook for many people.)  This is the easiest and quisckest way to get the LATEST updates from GEDA!

December 2009 Newsletter

Featured articles Review of 2009 Accomplishments Membership Renewal 2010 Legislative Session Dubai Air Show Report Happy Holidays On behalf of the Staff and Board of Directors of GEDA, we wish you a happy, healthy and joyous holiday season.  In observance of the upcoming holidays, please note that the GEDA Office will be closed on December 24-25, 2009 and January 1, 2010.  Connect to GEDA Easiest Way to Receive Updates Real Simple Synidcation (RSS) feeds are now available for this new version of the GEDA Gazette.  At the very bottom of this screen, you will seen several words - one of them is "RSS."  Click on RSS and you will go to a sign up page for the RSS feeds.  Once there, you can name the feed, place it in a folder, etc.  Once you have finished this - whenever a new Gazette is published, it will automatically appear in your RSS Feed folder (which is in Microsoft Outlook for many people.)  This is the easiest and quisckest way to get the LATEST updates from GEDA!

A Look Back at 2009 As we approach the end of another year, let us take a look at the positive accomplishments of 2009. The members and volunteers of GEDA have continued to make GEDA a strong and vital association.  Our valued members are key in continuing to make us THE  premiere economic development association in Georgia.   We can proudly say that we have survived and thrived during an economic downturn.  An upgrade to luncheon programs resulted in an overall increase of attendance.  An increase in sponsorship revenue allowed us to have a financially successful Spring Worship and Annual Conference.  Our willingness to be flexible and revelant has proven to bring us beneficial relationships and partnerships.  Unfortunately, we lost members due to budget restraints, however we have creatively approached ways to still recruit, retain and re-gain members.  There were also many other behind-the-scenes adminstrative endeavors that allowed the staff to be more efficient in bringing the best updates and  information to our members by utilizing technology trends.   And now, as we approach another year, GEDA officers, directors and committee chairs have been charged with focusing on significant goals that will continue to make the association even better.  Please continue to support GEDA programs and give us constructive input regarding what you would like to see in 2010. Membership Renewals All members should have recently received an e-mail entitled 2010 Dues Invoice and Directory Update.  The e-mail includes your membership status (as indicated in our files), the four types of membership,  and all of your contact information as it is now listed in the membership directory.  This is a process that we conduct annually and it is to be used as a method of invoicing for renewals AS WELL AS confirming and updating your contact information.  Although some members have already paid 2010 dues or have special arrangements or situations regarding dues payment, we ask that you please review the docudment to make sure our records reflect the most accurate information.  Please contact the GEDA office if you have any corrections or questions.  We value your membership and we hope that your renewal and continued participattion in GEDA will be beneficial to your professional development and networking experience.  Report from the Dubai Air Show Morgan Law received one of the International Missions Scholarships and shares his experiences while in Dubai Thanks to the generosity of GEDA, the Houston County Development Authority (HCDA) was able to participate in its first ever international trade mission to the Dubai Air Show in November 2009. As the home of the United States Air Force Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, aerospace is a key industry sector and target for Warner Robins and Middle Georgia which makes the Dubai show an extremely attractive marketing opportunity. Participating in aerospace trade shows is a standing component of the HCDA’s marketing plan. We have previously exhibited cooperatively with Bibb and Dodge Counties at three domestic aerospace trade shows and this was our first opportunity to join an international trade show.  Click here to read the full article. Legislative Session Begins Soon! Mark your calendars for the GEDA Legislative Reception on January 14, 2010 The Georgia General Assembly will reconvene on January 11, 2010 for the second year of this two-year cycle. As you know – the General Assembly works on a two-year calendar for bills and resolutions. Any bill or resolution brought forth last year can still be discussed in 2010. One of the main focal points in GEDA’s Mission Statement is that of Public Policy in Georgia. We develop a new list of goals and priorities each year and strive to ensure that all members of the General Assembly are aware of the wants, needs, issues and concerns of Georgia’s economic development community.  Click here to read the full article.

Upcoming Events January 14, 2010 - Legislative Reception, Rail Depot. REGISTER! February - No Program March 15, 2010 - Monthly Luncheon, Location TBD Welcome New Members E. Jane Caraway, GA Dept. of Economic Development Robert Bennett, Augusta Economic Development Authority Judy Madden, Eastman-Dodge County Chamber of Commerce Committee Updates Scholarships Available Professional Development Committee: A key part of GEDA’s mission is the professional development and continuing education of its members. To promote this effort, GEDA will award $15,000 in scholarships, sponsorships and grants during 2010.  Visit the Professional Development Committeepage to view scholarship opportunites as wel as applications and deadlines. Award Nominations Special Service Awards Committee: Committee Chair, Andrea Schruijer would like to be proactive this year in soliciting nominations for special service awards.  So many communities become so heavily involved in their work that they miss out on the recognition that they deserve.  And there are some volunteers who deserve to be honored for their dedication and committment to the economic development of their communities.  Start reviewing the qualifications of Deal of the Year and Volunteer of the Year and consider a deserving project or professional that would be a worthy recipient.  Visit the Special Service Awards Committee page for more information.