**In order to read many of the GEDA articles linked in this newsletter you must be logged into the GEDA website using the instructions above.**
Just a note to let you know, if you are using the P.O. Box 1776 address to send us mail, please discontinue using that box. That P.O. Box has been closed and we can no longer use that address. Please use 75 5th Street, NW, Suite 1200 Atlanta, GA 30308.
New Communication Tool for GEDA Members
We have established a GEDA Slack channel primarily for Development Authority Executives and other EDOs that are members in the state as a resource page for best practices and updates during this Covid-19 pandemic. If you would like to access this information please contact Kelly McLendon at kmclendon@georgia.org or 404-955-4840, and she will issue an invitation to you.
Slack is like a listserv, but allows you to share links, files and other information in real time. There are channels for different types of information and discussions. Slack is free and offers a free app for your phone as well.
Upcoming Event (CANCELED)
The Small Business Rock Star Awards luncheon that was scheduled for Monday, April 20th at the Georgia Aquariumhas been canceled. Unfortunately, the Aquarium is closed for the month of April and both the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) have decided it best to cancel the event. Recognition of these Small Business Rock Star winners will be held on the local level for their achievements. More to come on these details soon. Congratulations again to all of the Small Businesses nominated for these awards and especially to the winners, who are yet to be revealed. Thank you to our would-be sponsor, Locate South Georgia!
Spring Workshop 2020 Still Happening as Planned
As of now, the GEDA 2020 Spring Workshop (SW20) is still on tap to be held on May 20-22 at the Westin Jekyll Island and the Jekyll Island Convention Center. Benjy Thompson, GEDA SW20 Chair, GEDA Secretary-Treasurer and CEO of the Development Authority of Bulloch County (DABC), and his lieutenants, Dorie Bacon, GEDA Board Member and Executive Director, Screven County Development Authority, and Rachel Barnwell, Manager of Economic Development Programs, DABC, have been hard at work, putting together an exciting, informative and fun-filled baseball-themed program. Plan now on joining your colleagues and friends in the business on Jekyll for the SW20. Heaven knows that we’ll need an opportunity to get together to network, learn and have a little fun!
Unfortunately, we had to postpone our March 16th luncheon on Georgia Innovation. Tentatively, we have rescheduled the event to Monday, June 15th, still at the Georgia Tech Hotel. Put this date on your calendars. Following are details of the luncheon. Read more...
Mark your calendars for future GEDA dates: June 15, 2020 – GEDA June Luncheon – Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center - Save the Date; registration will open April 13, 2020.
GEDA/GDEcD News
Jennifer Cook, Global Account Manager, Marketing & Communications (M&C) Division, GDEcD, has taken a job with IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group).
Brandon Ona, Associate Trade Manager, GDEcD, left the Department on Friday, March 13th.
Joshua Stephens, formerly Director, Project Management at the Metro Atlanta Chamber, has returned to GDEcD to be the Director of Policy and Government Relations. Welcome back, Joshua!
Abby Turano, formerly Deputy Commissioner of International Relations/Chief of Protocol, has been promoted to Deputy Commissioner, Marketing & Communications, replacing Greg Torre who retired at the end of January. GDEcD is merging the International Relations team and the Marketing and Communications team, and the Division will now be called Marketing, Communications and International Engagement.
Alison Wentley, Communications Specialist, joined the Marketing, Communications & International Engagement Division of GDEcD on Monday, March 16th.
Welcome Diane McCoy, to GDEcD's Marketing, Communications & International Engagement Division as Global Account Manager.
Chair's Column
Covid-19: Digital Age Disruption
So much has transpired since our last newsletter. We want to assure all of our members that your association is hard at work on your behalf. This is one matter that is challenging our entire state. So, know that our hearts and prayers are with you and all the members of your community. Our economy has hit a pause, but there is a resilience amongst us as economic developers. Despite any challenge, we always find a way to innovate and respond and there is no shortage of that happening right now.
Bo Gregory, President, Development Authority of Monroe County; Brenda Robbins, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; and the GDEcD Global Commerce team’s Ashley Varnum, Director of Advanced Manufacturing, were each named a “Top 50 Economic Developer” by Consultant Connect for excellent practices, innovation and success in building the communities they serve. Congratulations to Bo, Brenda and Ashley on this achievement!
Robert Long, former Vice President of Economic Development, Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, is seeking his next opportunity.
Justin Strickland, formerly President of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, has joined OmniTRAX as Director, Economic Development. Read more…
Project Announcements
** Names highlighted in green below are GEDA members with hyperlinks to their email addresses.**
Medline Industries, Inc. to Create 150 Jobs, Invest $70 Million in Bryan County
March 11, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Bryan County will be home to Georgia’s newest Medline Industries, Inc. location in the state. Medline, the largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of medical supplies, will invest over $70 million to build a new distribution center in Richmond Hill that will create 150 new jobs with capacity for more than 600 workers as the company grows.
Congratulations to the team members, who worked to successfully locate this project: Anna Chafin, Chief Executive Officer, and Justin Farquhar, Project Manager, Development Authority of Bryan County; Ashley Varnum, Director of Automotive, Aerospace, and Advanced Manufacturing, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); Bradley Harris, Manager, Economic Development, Georgia Electric Membership Corporation; Stacy Watson, General Manager, Economic and Industrial Development, Georgia Ports Authority; and Wylly Harrison, Manager/Business Development, Kajima Business & Design Group, Inc., who initially worked on this project when he was with GDEcD! Read more…
Kerry Group to Expand in Floyd County
March 11, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Kerry Group will expand its operations in Rome, Georgia, investing $125 million, its largest-ever capital expenditure investment. The project will employ more than 400 people during the construction phase and more than 100 new full-time positions when the facility is fully operational.
Kudos tothe team that helped the Kerry Group to expand, including:Missy Kendrick, EDFP, President/CEO, Rome-Floyd County Development Authority; Sammy Rich, City Manager, City of Rome; Jamie McCord, County Manager, Floyd County; Taylor Kielty, Region 1 Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); Elyse Davis, Northwest Georgia Manager, Community & Economic Development, Georgia Power; Rodger Brown, Director of Strategic Communications, and Pam Griffin, Director, Corporate/Customized Contract Training, Georgia Quick Start! Read more…
Family-Owned Sugar Bowl Bakery to Open Facility in DeKalb County, Create 400 Jobs
March 6, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Sugar Bowl Bakery, one of the leading minority-owned bakeries in America, will locate its first East Coast location in DeKalb County. The company will deliver approximately 400 new jobs and invest $37 million over the next five years in its new Tucker facility.
Way to goRandi Mason, Vice President, Economic Development, Decide DeKalb; Hank Evans, Assistant Director, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness and Food Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); John McHenry, the City of Tucker; Lonnie Smallwood, Senior Project Manager, Georgia EMC; and Josh Stephens, Director, Project Management, Metro Atlanta Chamber; the team which worked to bring this project to fruition! Read more…
Georgia Film Office Launches New Website, Celebrates Record-breaking Results at State Capitol
March 11, 2020— The Georgia Film Office, a division of the Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), celebrated with legislators and industry partners the positive impact and record-breaking year the film industry had in the state at the annual Film Day at the Capitol. Georgia is one of the top film production centers in the world, and the industry posted a record $2.9 billion in direct investment during the last fiscal year. Read more…
Jennifer Cook, Global Account Manager, Marketing & Communications (M&C) Division, GDEcD, has taken a job with IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group).
Brandon Ona, Associate Trade Manager, GDEcD, left the Department on Friday, March 13th.
Robert Long, former Vice President of Economic Development, Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, is seeking his next opportunity.
Justin Strickland, formerly President of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, has joined OmniTRAX as Director, Economic Development. 
