GEDA - Georgia Economic Developers Association

Mission

Our mission is to provide and promote networking and professional development opportunities and to shape economic development public policy.

Vision

GEDA is the leading professional association dedicated to enhancing Georgia's economic vitality.

History (Selected Highlights)

Organization Growth:

1950’s: Post-WWII industrial growth spawns variety of economic development organizations
1959: Small group of Georgia industrial developers (10-15) begins lunch meetings
1960-62: Group communications supported by Industrial Manager at Georgia Chamber of Commerce
1963: Group adopted organizational documents and the name "Georgia Industrial Developers Association"; membership included 19 state and regional organizations
1974: Membership had grown from less than 20 to 275 individual members
1975: GIDA incorporated with 283 members
1977: Membership reaches 340 individuals
1980: GIDA sponsors first spring workshop at Tifton as membership reaches 504
1986: Association experiences a 20% growth in revenues
1988: 25th Anniversary celebrated by 901 GIDA members; time capsule containing GIDA’s historical records sealed & deposited at Georgia State University Archives
1989: GIDA employs part-time administrative staff, and office operations relocate from the Business Council of Georgia to the Ga. Dept. of Industry & Trade
1993: Name changed to "Georgia Economic Developers Association" to reflect comprehensive character of economic development
1995-96: GEDA refines its Mission Statement and develops a strategic plan; statewide membership reaches 1,000 for the first time
1997: First full-time Executive Director employed

GIDA / GEDA public policy & program initiatives:

1960’s:

GIDA leads initiative to establish sales & use tax exemption on industrial machinery
Creation of the Georgia Department of Commerce with an independent Board of Commissioners (now Georgia Department of Industry, Trade & Tourism)
Promoted General Assembly adoption of the "Development Authorities" law creating authority for activation of local development authorities in each county

1970’s:

GIDA & Ga. Dept. of Education develop technical training program guide for new & expanding industry
GIDA supported development of the Georgia QuickStart training program
Professional development scholarships sponsored by GIDA for developers attending the Basic Economic Development Course at Georgia Tech, and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma
GIDA provided active leadership in the passage of the constitutional amendment establishing the Freeport Inventory Tax Exemption
GIDA’s "Volunteer of the Year" Award program was established in conjunction with the Southern Industrial Development Council (SIDC)
A case study on community impact of new manufacturing plant completed by GIDA

1980’s

One-stop environmental permitting started as critical component of Georgia’s economic development success with GEDA support
Distinguished professionalism recognized with first GEDA H.W. "Rip" Wiley Award
GIDA begins Industry Appreciation Awards
Special Investments Fund for infrastructure recommended by GIDA and funded by the Governor
GIDA successfully supported Seed Capital Fund constitutional amendment
Successful innovations in primary & secondary schools described in a GIDA publication
Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education launched at GIDA Board of Directors meeting

1990’s

GIDA becomes GEDA, the Georgia Economic Developers Association
GEDA established the annual "TERRIFIC Education Awards", recognizing and disseminating information about successful educational programs at the K-12, technical & adult, and university levels; a growing understanding of the essential link between education and economic development leads to the HOPE scholarship program and other educational investments with Georgia Lottery proceeds
BEST (Business Expansion Support Act) passed in 1994, and was improved with subsequent amendments, all with GEDA support
ICAPP (Intellectual Capital Partnership Program) emerged as an effective workforce development resource and complement to QuickStart
GEDA supported Ga. World Congress Center expansion, Enterprise Zones, Workers Compensation and Unemployment Insurance reform, and local government services delivery strategy legislation.
GEDA becomes first statewide organization to support Governor’s regional development initiative, including ITT & DCA regional staff
GEDA supports enhanced jobs tax credits for companies increasing trade through Georgia ports, and more flexible procedures for tax increment financing.
GEDA's "Public Policy Initiative" highlighted by GEDA sponsorship of the first gubernatorial candidate debate of 1998.
The GEDA "Zell Miller Public Policy Leadership Award" is established in recognition for Governor Miller's positive leadership for economic development.
GEDA initiates the "Excellence in Exporting Award" to recognize exemplary business success in international trade
GEDA supports creations of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority and the Governor's Education Study Commission

2000's