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  GEDA has its first monthly meeting as a virtual event on Monday, February 8, at 10:00 AM, featuring a legislative report from Camila Knowles, Senior Vice President & Counsel, and Jeff Hamling, Senior Vice President, with Cornerstone Government Affairs. There will also be a networking session at 9:30 AM. To learn more about this event and to register, click here. |
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Dear Members,
Greetings! January has turned out to be a busy month for GEDA. The 2021 Georgia Legislative session kicked off and while things look a little different at the capitol, business is still being conducted and GEDA has been active in monitoring legislation.
GEDA leaders hosted its 5th annual Legislative Leaders Dinner on Wednesday, January 27th in Atlanta. It was an opportunity for an informal gathering to get to know each other and discuss issues of shared interest. Legislators attending included:
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 Stefan Harrigan, recently joined the International Trade team as an Associate International Trade Manager, after serving as the Program Administrator for the World Affairs Council of Atlanta.
 Abby Holmes, after four years as a Trade Analyst with the International Trade Division of GDEcD, has resigned to embark on a journey of full-time motherhood.
 Rachel Morris has joined the GDEcD Centers of Innovation team as the new Industry Engagement Strategist based at the Georgia Cyber Center in Augusta. This unique position shares joint reporting duties with both GDEcD and Augusta University.
 Andrew Capezzuto, has taken on more responsibility and duties with his new title, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel. Since Andrew came to GDEcD in 2015, he has helped ensure sound legal practices and procedures in every division, and has provided instruction and advice more and more each year. Last year, Sara Gershon was hired to assist Andrew as Associate Counsel, freeing Andrew up to expand his counsel to areas not strictly within the legal realm, and he has continued to expand his oversight and influence on processes and procedures.
 Chris Chammoun, who began with the Centers of Innovation and then the Rural Georgia Initiatives team, moves back to the Centers of Innovation (COI), where he will serve as Director, Agriculture Technologies (AgTech) and build out a new program that helps position the state well to grow and attract new AgTech companies.
 Asante Bradford, who joined the GDCeD Film Division in 2007 and has served the Global Commerce team since 2010, will move to the Centers of Innovation IT team as Industry Engagement Manager where he will increase the team’s focus in creative technologies.
 Robert Cappellanti was selected for promotion to the new Division Director role in the Marketing, Communication and International Engagement Division. Robert has been with GDEcD in the Marketing Division as Director of Interactive Marketing since 2017. In this new role, he will oversee the Interactive Marketing, Account Management and Creative teams and provide overall division leadership and support to Deputy Commissioner Abby Turano.
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 Meghan Barwick took a new job at the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners as the Public Information Officer as of January 2021.
 Grant Cagle has been named Manager of Industrial Project Management with Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG). Grant has worked with ECG for the past four years, promoting Georgia as an Industrial Project Manager. Read more…
 Daniel Jackson, President & CEO of Carroll Tomorrow and the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, announced his retirement, effective March 31, 2021 after 19+ years in this role. Daniel has been an outstanding member of GEDA and got to know us well during his stint as Chair of the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, and served as an Ex-Officio member of GEDA’s board. Best wishes for a wonderful retirement, Daniel, and Godspeed! Read more…
 Alan Peterson moved from Executive Director of City of Stone Mountain Downtown Development Authority to the Economic Development Director of the City of Stockbridge government. |
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| ** Names highlighted in orange below are GEDA members with hyperlinks to their email addresses.** |
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Spring Mountain Center to Open Manufacturing, Distribution Headquarters in Barrow County; $45 Million Investment to Create 205 Jobs
January 22, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Spring Mountain Center will invest $45 million in opening their manufacturing and distribution headquarters in Barrow County, delivering 205 jobs to the local community. Spring Mountain Center is a leading manufacturer of plumbing fixtures, home furniture, and more.
Congratulations to Lisa Maloof, Economic Development Director, Choose Barrow; Sandra Yang, Project Manager, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Bradley Harris, Manager, Economic Development, Georgia EMC; and Rodger Brown, Director of Strategic Communications, Georgia Quick Start; who worked together on this competitive project! Read more…
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Correct Craft to Open Supreme Boats Manufacturing Facility in Valdosta, Create 90 Jobs
January 13, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Correct Craft, a leader in building tournament inboard, freshwater fishing, utility and recreational boats, will invest more than $1.7 million in opening a manufacturing facility in Valdosta, delivering 90 jobs to Lowndes County. Correct Craft’s Valdosta facility will produce wakeboarding and wake surfing boats under its Supreme Boats brand.
A shout out to the following team, who worked collaboratively on this project: Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director, Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority; Jamon Williams, Region 11 Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Bradley Harris, Manager, Economic Development, Georgia EMC; and Rodger Brown, Director of Strategic Communications, Georgia Quick Start! Read more… |
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E-commerce Company Bluestem Brands More Than Doubles Georgia Presence in Putnam County, Creates 130+ Jobs
January 13, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Bluestem Brands, a business operating multiple national e-commerce retail brands, will expand their distribution center in Putnam County, more than doubling their presence in the state and delivering over 130 full-time jobs to Eatonton.
Kudos to Pat Topping, Interim Economic Development Director, Putnam Development Authority; Candice Scott , Region 6 Senior Project Manager, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; the Georgia Department of Labor; Andrea Griner, Vice President for Economic Development, Central Georgia Technical College; and Rodger Brown, Director of Strategic Communications, Georgia Quick Start; who worked as a team on this project! Read more… |
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Gov. Kemp Reports 16,000+ Jobs Created During First Half of Fiscal Year
January 14, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced that more than 16,000 jobs were created across all regions of the state by economic development projects in Georgia during the first half of fiscal year 2021, generating nearly $6 billion in new investments. Read more…
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| Committee & Shared Interest Group (SIG) News |
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Action Plans for 2021
Click here to read the committee and shared interest group (SIG) action plans for 2021.
Professional Development - Scholarship-Grants
Apply today for scholarship grants from GEDA in 2021. Scholarships can deepen your job understanding and enhance your career! They can be used for many things, including attending the GEDA Spring Workshop or Annual Conference, the University of Georgia’s Certified Economic Developer courses, as well as ones sponsored by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) or the OU Economic Development Institute. They can also be used for the Penn Worden Grant and the International Missions Grant. For additional information on the Professional Development scholarships, look on the GEDA website, or contact Kevin Shea, President, GEDA at 404-962-4109.
Rural Development SIG - Update
The Rural Development SIG has been keeping abreast of recent news regarding the budget and we are excited to see that Gov. Brian Kemp is proposing nearly $40 million to be earmarked to establish a Rural Innovation Fund and $30 million to continue building high-speed broadband connectivity in rural areas. This is great news for rural communities. |
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MANAGER, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT - ELECTRIC CITIES OF GEORGIA
Posted On: JAN27
This position will be filled by February 28, 2021 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Categories: Consulting, Local Government & Real Estate Position...
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR - CITY OF RIVERDALE
Posted On: JAN21
Position to be filled: February 28, 2021 Location: Riverdale, Georgia Category: Local Government Position Type: Full Time Education Requirement:...
BUSINESS CONSULTANT-INTERNATIONAL TRADE - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Posted On: JAN21
Position to be filled by: April 1, 2021 Location: Lawrenceville, Georgia Category: Consulting Position Type: Full Time Education Requirement:...
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