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GEDA April Monthly Luncheon
The April GEDA luncheon will feature Governor Brian Kemp, who will share about his plan for Georgia and the recent legislative session. The event, to be held at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel, is sold out. However, there is a chance that you can attend by arriving on the day of the event to see if there are any “no-shows.” Thank you to our sponsors, Seyfarth Shaw LLP and the Development Authority of Walton County!
Friendly reminder! Georgia Trend’s 40 Under 40 nominations are now open! Each year Georgia Trend honors 40 of the state’s best and brightest under the age of 40. Whether you know someone who’s making a difference on the national stage or is a mover and shaker in his or her corner of the state, if they are under 40 years old as of Oct. 1, 2019, Georgia Trend wants to hear about them. Nominations are open through 5 p.m., Friday, April 26, 2019. Click here to learn more.
Chair's Column
Season of Hope
As springtime brings warm weather to Georgia, we see new energy coming into the workplace. From field to factory, school to social club, warehouse to workspace… there is a renewed sense of excitement that comes with springtime. That renewed vitality we find in the spring gives us all a sense of opportunity and renewal… so it is no wonder why April is “National Month of Hope.”
Every day, we work with people who have a hope for building their own business. It takes courage and faith to leave a dependable paycheck in order to follow a passion, and when that hope meets hard work and opportunity, the results are tremendous.
Mike Grundmann, formerly with GDEcD, will be moving to the State of Virginia. He is going to serve as the Senior Vice President of Workforce Solutions for the Virginia Economic Development Partnership. Mike was recruited there to build a new customized training incentive program modeled after Georgia’s Quick Start program. Mike’s last day in the office was Wednesday, April 3.
Gregg Simon, Vice President, Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber, was honored recently with the 2019 Site Selectors Guild Excellence in Economic Development Award. Congratulations, Gregg!
Alyce Thornhill, formerly Region 1 Project Manager with GDEcD, resigned to become the Community Relations Director, Southern Division for the Georgia Lottery Corporation.
GEDA New Members
To view the new GEDA members, clickHERE.If you are moving, changing jobs or getting a promotion, please let us know by emailing us at kshea@georgia.org, and we’ll publicize this in the GEDA newsletter.
Project Announcements
** Names highlighted in green below are GEDA members with hyperlinks to their email addresses.**
PVH Corp. to create 575 jobs, invest $77.6 million in Fulton County
March 28, 2019 — Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that PVH Corp., one of the largest global apparel companies, will create 575 jobs and invest $77.6 million in a new distribution and warehouse facility in Palmetto, Georgia.
March 27, 2019 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Geveko Markings, a world leader in materials for road and pavement markings and horizontal decoration applications, will create 75 jobs in Gainesville.
A shout out to the large cast of characters, who worked on this project, including: Mayor Danny Dunagan, Linda MacGregor and Bryan Lackey, City of Gainesville; Chairman Richard Higgins and Jock Connell, Hall County; Philip Wilheit and Tread Syfan of the Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority; Dr. Ray Perren and Tim McDonald of Lanier Technical College; Kit Dunlap and Tim Evans, Vice President – Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce; Nico Wijnberg, Director of International Investment, GDEcD Global Commerce Division; Tom Wesley and Jud Wesley of The Wesley Company; Tate O’Rouke, Commercial/Industrial Marketing Representative, & David Lee, Jackson EMC; Glennis Barnes & Rope Roberts, Community Development Manager, Georgia Power; David Lloyd, Liberty Utilities; Paul Chambers, AT&T; Alan Scheutze, Business Development, and Brian Daniel, Carroll Daniel Construction; Brian Rochester & Eric Chini of Rochester & Associates; Brad Harris, ModelSpace Architecture; and Sara Silvio, President, and Tony Oliver, Constructive Ingenuity! Read more…
POP Displays USA, LLC to Create 280 Jobs, Invest $7.9 Million in Fulton County
March 26, 2019 — Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that POP Displays, a leader in the display industry, will create 280 jobs and invest $7.9 million in a new manufacturing and distribution facility in East Point.
Korean brake manufacturer to locate U.S. Headquarters in Henry County
March 20, 2019 – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Sangsin Technology America, a leading global brake friction materials and replacement parts manufacturer, will create 200 jobs and invest $20 million in its first North American manufacturing facility in McDonough, Georgia. Governor Kemp stopped by Sangsin’s booth at the Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) Annual Meeting & Transportation Technology Exhibition (TMC 2019) at the Georgia World Congress Center today to celebrate the news.
Kemp Names Chelsea Rathburn as Georgia’s Poet Laureate March 21, 2019 – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced he has selected Chelsea Rathburn as Georgia’s next Poet Laureate. Rathburn, a professor of English and creative writing at Young Harris College, succeeds Judson Mitcham as Poet Laureate. Read more…
Nominating Committee Update The Nominating Committee has the following goals in 2019:
1. Reflect GEDA’s diverse membership when selecting board members and Secretary-Treasurer considering gender, race, geography, and background/experience. 2. Give priority consideration to past or current Committee Chairs, SIG Chairs and Board Members for Board and Secretary-Treasurer positions.
If you would like to nominate a GEDA member for consideration as either a Secretary-Treasurer or Board Member, please complete and submit THIS FORM no later than May 1, 2019.
Professional Development - Scholarship-Grants Apply today for a GEDA Professional Development grant in 2019. Interested in obtaining a grant? The GEDA 2019 Spring Workshop takes place at the Lodge at Callaway Gardens on May 15-17. Check out the preliminary program. Three scholarships of $600 each are available to help defray costs of attendance. Also, check out the University of Georgia’s Certified Economic Developer courses; as well as ones sponsored by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). For additional information on the Professional Development scholarships, look on the GEDA website, or contact Kevin Shea, President, GEDA at 404-962-4109.
Get involved in GEDA's Committees and SIGs to learn about projects and meet fellow members - visit your profile on GEDA.org to join.
