Business Development Team
Business Recruitment (Chair: David Bradley Lofton)
The Business Recruitment Committee has a primary focus on attraction and recruitment of new business investment, especially emerging industries and innovation. Members of the committee monitor trends and disseminate information to GEDA members about ways to develop and attract new, emerging and innovative businesses. The committee also will collaborate with the GEDA Professional Development Committee to provide members with information on the latest technology resources for recruitment in economic development practice. This committee also provides analysis and advice regarding public policy issues affecting business recruitment for Georgia communities, businesses, and economic development practitioners.
Business Retention & Expansion (Chair: William Dobbs)
The Business Expansion & Retention Committee was originally formed from the former "Existing Industry" committee, and the recent merger of the former Trade Development committee. The Business Expansion & Retention Committee will continue earlier work to identify & promote effective local existing industry service, retention, & expansion programs and best practices. Several detailed examples have been assembled in cooperation with the Georgia Tech Center for Economic Development Services, and may be accessed through www.geda.org or the Georgia Tech CEDS web site (see link below) Many years ago, to help bring attention to the importance of existing businesses, GEDA started its Existing Industry Awards program, recognizing exemplary existing industry from each economic development region of Georgia, statewide winners in large & small company categories, the "Spirit of Georgia" Award for individual performance, and a Community Award for Service to Existing Industry. The traditional GEDA awards program was discontinued after 2001; GEDA is evaluating potential new opportunities to partner with other organizations to recognize existing industry. The Business Expansion & Retention Committee will now also serve economic developers with an interest and/or expertise in export & trade issues, help to identify, analyze, and interpret trade issues and resources, and provide professional development opportunities for GEDA member practitioners seeking to establish or expand export assistance programs.
Entrepreneur Development (Chair: Patricia C. Williams)
The Entrepreneur Development Committee works to advocate the value of local business creation and job development. The committee identifies and analyzes policy issues and trends important to entrepreneurial activity and provides networking and professional development opportunities for economic developers interested in enhancing the environment for business creation. The committee's mission is to provide and promote entrepreneur development opportunities by facilitating and coordinating with other organizations and agencies interested in entrepreneurial development.
Tourism Development (Chair: Jeff Mullis)
Established in 1996, the Tourism Development Committee communicates GEDA's recognition of tourism as an important part of economic development in Georgia. This committee has worked to establish GEDA communications and partnerships with other organizations having an interest in tourism. The committee develops recommendations for GEDA relative to support of economic development practitioners engaged in tourism development projects, such as practical skills training for economic development practitioners on the recruitment and location of tourism facilities and attractions. In 2001, GEDA co-sponsored the first "Georgia Travel Trends" conference.
Community Development Team
Education/Workforce Development (Chair: Michael Grundmann)
This Committee began several years ago with the development of GEDA's "TERRIFIC" Education Awards program, through which GEDA has recognized successful models in the K-12, technical, and university systems. As workforce preparation emerged as a critical issue for economic development, this committee has sought to identify critical issues, gaps between business needs and workforce capabilities, existing resources, and has made recommendations for GEDA's role related to supporting economic development practitioners as they encounter workforce development challenges. This committee has helped monitor and provided recommendations for GEDA communications related to the education reform legislation, and helps to link GEDA to the State Workforce Investment Board, and the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.
Natural Resources & Environment (Chair: Jay Flesher)
As a team of GEDA members with an interest and/or expertise in natural resources and environmental issues, this committee works to identify, analyze, and interpret environmental issues and trends as they relate to economic development. The committee periodically provides information, speakers, and training opportunities for GEDA programs, and makes policy position recommendations to the GEDA Board concerning environmental issues, for example, air quality standards, water quality, supply and allocation, land use policies, and quality growth initiatives. The committee has published & distributed to GEDA members "The Economic Developer's Guide to Environmental Issues".
Rural Development (Chair: Bruce Drennan)
Providing access to "best practices" models, practical tools, and resources for GEDA members serving rural communities is the mission of the Rural Development Committee. This role is often carried out in coordination with other GEDA Committees, such as Business Recruitment, Professional Development, or Public Policy. This committee is intended to serve as a focal point and voice for rural economic development issues within GEDA, and a catalyst for effective policies in support of rural development in Georgia. Committee members work together to bring information, resources & training to GEDA members in rural communities. Traditionally, this committee has sponsored a speaker for one monthly program each year, normally in summer. The Rural Development Committee has provided significant support for GEDA's participation in the work of the Georgia Rural Development Council, the OneGeorgia Authority, and GEDA co-sponsorship of the "Celebrating Rural Georgia" conference.
Transportation (Chair: Matthew Hicks)
Highway, air, rail, mass transit, and port facilities are the essential economic development ingredients on which GEDA focuses through this committee, which identifies & analyzes issues & trends related to transportation policy & facilities. In recent years, the committee has sponsored GEDA programs on the policy, funding, and economic issues relative to the multiple modes of transportation in Georgia, and monitored the work of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority, the Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Rail Passenger Authority, Georgia Ports Authority, and related agencies. The committee has sponsored one or more speakers each year, and recently coordinated a special airport tour in partnership with MARTA and Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. The committee seeks to provide information and training opportunities for members, to link GEDA with statewide transportation groups, and to provide advice to the GEDA Board on transportation policy.
Other Committees
Legislative Events
The Legislative Event Committee coordinates the Annual GEDA Legislative Event in January, providing an important networking opportunity among GEDA members, state legislators, and other state leaders. Members of the Public Policy and Public Relations committees, along with GEDA members from the local and regional level work with staff on this planning committee to coordinate all arrangements. Planning responsibilities include: invitations & communications, publications, publicity, door prizes, speaker contacts, audio-visual equipment, facility & food arrangements, registration & administrative support, etc. (The GEDA First Vice President chairs the Legislative Event Committee as part of that Officer's responsibility to coordinate GEDA monthly meeting programs.)
Professional Development Team
Development Authority Executives (Chair: Robert E. Simmons)
The special networking and professional development needs of those who have responsibility for local development authorities, and authority member and attorney training needs, provide the focus for this committee, established in 1997. All GEDA members who are Development Authority Executives, or who otherwise provide professional staffing for development authorities, are encouraged to participate actively in this committee. Based on the input of these professional practitioners, the Development Authority Execs committee is coordinating the development and implementation of a GEDA-UGA partnership to provide specific training for local development authority board members at various locations several times each year. GEDA also works through this committee with the Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) to provide credit seminars specifically for attorneys representing local development authorities. In 2001, GEDA accepted an invitation by UGA's Office of Economic Development Assistance to become a co-sponsor of a new program called the "Development Authority Executives Leadership & Management Institute". GEDA has also recently partnered with the Georgia Cities Foundation, UGA and ICLE to sponsor a downtown development law seminar. The committee has also sponsored workshops at the GEDA Spring Workshop and the GEDA Annual Conference, and is developing a resource manual for development authority execs.
Membership Services (Chair: Shantell S. Roberson)
New Members of GEDA are invited to attend one of this Committee's "New Member Orientation" programs and the "First Timers" reception at the Annual Conference and the Spring Workshop. These functions serve to welcome & inform new members about GEDA, to encourage member participation in Committees, and to understand how to get the most benefit from GEDA membership. This Committee also assists with member recruitment & retention contacts; these efforts may focus, for example, on geographic or professional areas where stronger GEDA participation is desirable. The Membership Services committee also helps to advise the Board and other committees on how best to address GEDA member needs. Member publications (not a committee): GEDA's staff assists with development of GEDA publications, such as the GEDA Gazette and the GEDA Membership Directory (both now changed to electronic formats). The staff works with all committees and the Board for further development of the GEDA web site www.geda.org, through which a number of web documents & publications are available to GEDA members.
Professional Development (Chair: S. Nathan Sparks)
GEDA offers its members several professional development scholarships through an annual competitive application process coordinated by this Committee. The scholarships normally include: THREE $1,000 scholarships for the Georgia Tech Economic Development Basic Course TWO $600 scholarships for an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) course TWO $800 scholarships for the Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) program TWO $1,000 scholarships for the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) examination ONE $350 scholarship for the GEDA Spring Workshop Conference ONE $350 scholarship for the GEDA Annual Meeting Conference The exact number of scholarships in each category may vary based upon the number of applications and available funds, subject to GEDA Board approval. This committee promotes GEDA member qualification for professional certifications such as the Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP). The committee also participates in periodic "career day" events to encourage potential new economic developers, and also works to provide opportunities for workshops and programs designed to enhance the knowledge & practical skills of GEDA member practitioners. *APPLICATIONS* for all awards and scholarships can be found in the GEDA Document Center.
Special Service Awards (Chair: Tonia R. Williams)
Through this committee, GEDA promotes the economic development profession and recognizes distinguished service to economic development through the following highly selective award programs (specific award criteria available at www.geda.org, from the Committee Chair or the GEDA office): Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence: Recognizes a GEDA member with at least 10 years of economic development experience for professionalism, honor, integrity, leadership, hard work, and contributions to the profession. Current officers, directors, and committee chairs are not eligible. Potential recipients are nominated by previous recipients or by current officers, directors, and chairs. The selection of no more than one Rip Wiley Award recipient annually is made by the current Officers. Volunteer of the Year Award: Recognizes an individual economic development volunteer for outstanding service to an economic development organization or community. Nominations are solicited from all GEDA members. The Board of Directors selects one statewide recipient annually and represents Georgia at the annual Southern Economic Development Council (SEDC) volunteer recognition program. Honorary Life Member: Recognizes individuals for long, exceptional and/or exemplary career and service to GEDA, or for extraordinary efforts directly related to the purposes of GEDA. HLM status may be awarded at anytime following nomination by a member of the Board, and approval by at least 75% of the Board voting by secret ballot. Zell Miller Public Policy Leadership Award: GEDA established this new award in October, 1998 to encourage many Georgians to exert strong leadership in economic development public policy. GEDA may elect not to present this very special award every year. Recipients must have clearly demonstrated by their public work an enduring commitment, dedication, and leadership in advocating and implementing public policies that are essential for sustained quality economic development in Georgia. Recipients may be elected or appointed public officials, or private individuals serving in significant positions of public trust. A recipient need not be a GEDA member.
Sponsorship (Chair: Stan Vangilder)
The Sponsorship Committee serves as a standing committee to coordinate the GEDA sponsorship program in cooperation with the respective Chairs of the GEDA Annual Conference, Spring Workshop, Legislative Reception, and Monthly Meetings, and with the GEDA staff. GEDA sponsors are offered a menu of sponsorship opportunities at all GEDA events throughout the year. Sponsors receive greater visibility with Georgia's economic development community, and the support provided by sponsorships enhance the quality of GEDA programs and services for our members.
Public Policy Team
Public Policy (Chair: Daniel M. McRae)
The Public Policy Committee was created in 2001 through the merger of the former Research, Competitiveness, and Legislative committees. The Public Policy Committee membership is appointed for one year per GEDA Bylaws by the President upon recommendation of the Chairman. In its research function, the Public Policy Committee provides GEDA with continuing targeted public policy research, survey data, and recommendations related to economic development public policy issues. This research function builds upon GEDA's Public Policy Initiative, and has included a facilitated process to identify practitioners' views on policy priorities, a GEDA-university system report on economic & social indicators of Georgia's progress, public opinion polls, and electronic surveys of GEDA member opinions on a variety of topics. The Public Policy Committee also works to develop public policy recommendations related to incentives, taxes, and other factors affecting Georgia's competitiveness in economic development. The committee works to provide related information and educational opportunities for members, and advice to the GEDA Board. The GEDA "incentives manual" is periodically updated through this committee. This manual includes information on corporate taxes, tax incentives, enterprise & empowerment zones, foreign trade zones, adult education & training, environmental permitting, and financing programs, and a comparison of incentives among Southeastern states. The manual is available to GEDA members as a web document at www.geda.org. The Public Policy Committee develops and reports to the Board each year recommendations for GEDA's legislative policy agenda, including selected priority issues to be addressed during the next session of the Georgia General Assembly. The Public Policy Committee also reviews legislative proposals and other policy ideas emerging from other GEDA committees. The Committee helps to link GEDA members with legislators, and collaborates with the Legislative Event Committee to support the Annual GEDA Legislative Event in January, providing an important networking opportunity among GEDA members, state legislators, and other state leaders. During the course of each legislative session and during the balance of the year, the Public Policy Committee assists in the review of pending legislative & regulatory issues/proposals and makes recommendations to the GEDA Board. Regular information updates on Georgia legislation affecting economic development are posted during the session at www.geda.org.