Business Retention & Expansion (Chair: Anna Grant Jones)
Description
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.
Members
- Dobbs, William
- Salas, Lauren
- Lan, Tim
- Kaye, Rich
- Holahan, Drew
- Tully, Thomas H.
- Robertson, Case
- Miller, Kristen
- Smith, Stephanie
- Lewis, JoAnne
- Dill, Brian
- Jones, Anna Grant
- Wright, Greg
- Scragg, Chuck
- Armstrong-Lackey, Donna