|
|
There is no GEDA meeting in December. The next event GEDA will host is the GEDA Day at the Capitol on Tuesday, January 25th. There will be a light breakfast to start the day and legislative leaders to address our group. We’ll also have a photo with Governor Kemp on the 2nd floor steps of the Capitol, if we can schedule it. More information to come soon.
|
|
November Monthly Meeting
GEDA hosted its Annual Awards luncheon on Monday, November 15th at the Georgia Tech Hotel. We were pleased to have as our featured speaker, Chris Womack, Chairman, President, and CEO of Georgia Power, who had a great message for us. We recognized our Deals of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Rip Wiley Award-Winner and others. Also, we showed some love to our GEDA Past Leaders who joined us.
GEDA 2021 Deal of the Year Winners
Small Community Category: Development Authority of Bacon County - La Regina Atlantica
Kevin Bacon of the Development Authority with La Regina Atlantica and communty representatives
Mid-Size Community Category: Camden County Joint Development Authority - Plug Power
James Coughlin and Chandra (CB) Yadav receive award from Chris Womack, Chairman, President & CEO, Georgia Power
Large Size Community Category: Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority - GEDIA Georgia
Carl Campbell and Ali Harp of the Development Authority with GEDIA Georgia and communty representatives
GEDA 2021 Volunteer of the Year
Alan Verner, Retired Chairman, Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton & Walton Counties
Alan Verner receives his award from Lisa Smith, Vice President of Community & Economic Development, Georgia Power
GEDA 2021 Rip Wiley Award Recipient
Tim Evans, CEcD, Vice President-Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
Tim Evans & Jim Steed, mentor, former boss, friend and presenter of the Rip Wiley Award
GEDA 2021 Committee Chair of the Year
Jason Dunn, Chair of the Professional Development Committee & Executive Director, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Development Authority
Jason Dunn receives his award from Lisa Smith, Vice President of Community & Economic Development, Georgia Power
GEDA 2021 Committee Member of the Year
Rachel Barnwell, Member of the 2021 Annual Conference Committee, & Manager of Economic Development Programs, Development Authority of Bulloch County
Rachel Barnwell receives her award from Lisa Smith, Vice President of Community & Economic Development, Georgia Power
Changing of the Guard
Andrea Schruijer, GEDA 2021 Chair, presents ceremonial gavel to Benjy Thompson, GEDA 2022 Chair
Click here to see all the GEDA Annual Awards-November luncheon photos!
SIOR CE Class & Reception
GEDA was pleased to co-host a Continuing Education class on Wednesday, November 3rd at The Works – Upper Westside ATL for, and in conjunction with, members of the Georgia Chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). There was a tour of The Works at the beginning of the day and a reception at the end. Many of the panelists for the day were GEDA members and a number of our members attended the reception at the conclusion of the event. Thank you to Selig Enterprises for hosting the event and sponsoring the reception at the day’s conclusion. Thanks also to Lonnie Smallwood, GEDA Business Recruitment Chair, and Senior Project Manager, Georgia EMC, for coordinating this event!
|
|
Chair’s Column for GEDA December Newsletter
My Last Hurrah!
Hello GEDA members! I trust that you have had a good year, up to now, anyway. It isn’t over yet and there is much left to do in this year of 2021. My term as Chair of GEDA ends at the end of this year. There have been a lot of changes, some interesting times, several challenges, a few tough decisions, occasional opportunities for growth, but mostly it has been a lot of fun! Thank you for your confidence in me to serve as your leader for this year. It has been rewarding and humbling at the same time. Though my term ends as Chair, my involvement will continue as Immediate Past Chair. So, I will stay involved on the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors for this coming year.
|
|
|
 GDEcD is excited to announce that nominations are open for the 2022 Georgia Small Business Rock Star Awards! This year, GDEcD is calling on statewide partners to help in the search for this year’s Small Business Rock Stars. GDEcD would appreciate the help from your office to gather nominations from your area. Nominations for 2022 will close at the end of this year, but the nomination form will remain open for ongoing nominations for the next year. The nomination form has been streamlined to allow for multiple entries on one form. Please see the link provided above to access the form. Please feel free to share on social media.
The nomination criteria is as follows:
- Georgia corporation or LLC
- In business for a minimum of three (3) years
- Must not be a franchise
- Must operate in a commercial facility
- Have more than two (2) full-time employees and less than 100 full-time employees
- Have less than $30,000,000 in annual revenues
- Is making a positive impact in the local community
Check out the 2021 Small Business Rock Stars to learn more about the qualities GDEcD is looking for in award winners.
|
|
 Ashley Morris Varnum, Division Manager, Global Commerce, has taken a job as Business Recruitment Director with a Georgia Power in Statewide Economic Development. She starts her new job on Monday, December 6th.
 Molly Olson, former Executive Director, Development Authority of Burke County, has taken a job as a Business Manager in the Business Investment Division with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.
 Kelly McLendon, formerly GEDA Manager, Member Services, is now the Executive Director, Georgia Pest Control Association. Congratulations, Kelly! Thank you for five years of great service to GEDA!
|
|
|
 Advancing the Next Generation of Economic Development Leaders of Color
A new mentorship program is launching this fall! DiverseED is a statewide effort to improve education, access and opportunity for people of color in economic development. GEDA members are needed as mentors, ambassadors and speakers. Nominate a candidate or learn more about the program here: https://www.geda.org/diverseed-mentorship-mentee.
|
|
| ** Names highlighted in orange below are GEDA members with hyperlinks to their email addresses.** |
|
|
 |
King’s Hawaiian Continues to Invest in Georgia, Hiring Immediately
November 15, 2021 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that family-owned irresistible foods-company King’s Hawaiian has invested more than $30 million in expanding their operations in Oakwood, Georgia, over the past two years. The company is hiring for several positions at different skill levels.
Commendations to a large cast, who worked on this expansion project which spanned several years, including: Tim Evans, Vice President-Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce (GHCC), (aka GEDA’s most recent Rip Wiley Award-winner!); Philip Wilheit, Chairman (aka Mr. two-time GEDA Volunteer of the Year!), and Tread Syfan, Counsel, Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority; Tim McDonald, President, and Carl Rogers, Vice President for Economic Development, Lanier Technical College; BR White, City Manager, City of Oakwood; Jacqueline Rohosky, Deputy Commissioner, and Bruce Batton, Director, Northern Operations, Georgia Quick Start; Michelle Shaw, Director, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, GDEcD; Annie Baxter, Vice President, CBRE (then GDEcD); Josh Stephens, Director, Policy & Government Affairs, GDEcD (then GHCC); and Tammy Caudell, Business Development, Carroll Daniel Construction (then GDEcD); Brenda Robbins, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; Tate O’Rouke, Business Development Manager, and David Lee, District Manager, Jackson EMC; John Drake, Vice President-Business Development, Pattillo Construction Corp.; and Ben Stafford, Vice President, Pattillo Industrial Real Estate! Read more… |
|
 |
Celadon to Open North American Headquarters, State-of-the-Art Recycling, Advanced Manufacturing Operations in Savannah
November 12, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Celadon Development Corporation (Celadon) will invest more than $155 million in opening a North American headquarters and a state-of-the-art recycling and advanced manufacturing facility in Chatham County, creating 117 jobs in the Savannah area. This represents Phase 1 of Celadon’s major investment project in Georgia.
Congrats to the team that managed this project: Trip Tollison, President & CEO, and Jesse Dillon, Vice President, Business Development, Savannah Economic Development Authority; Ashley Varnum, Division Director, Global Commerce, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Stacy Watson, Director, Economic & Industrial Development, and the entire team at the Georgia Ports Authority; and Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power! Read more… |
|
 |
Gov. Kemp: Aurubis to Open State-of-the-Art Recycling and Copper Smelting Facility in Augusta
November 10, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Aurubis, one of the leading recyclers of copper, precious metals, and non-ferrous materials worldwide, will invest $340 million (€300 million) in a state-of-the-art recycling and secondary smelting facility for multi-metal recycling in Augusta. This new facility will be the very first of its kind in the U.S. and will create 125 jobs in the Augusta area.
Kudos to Cal Wray, President, Augusta Economic Development Authority; Fernanda Kirchner, Senior Project Manager, Automotive, Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Stacy Watson, Director, Economic & Industrial Development, Georgia Ports Authority; Eric Cornwell, Contact Manager of the Stationary Source Permitting Program, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources; and Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; for their great work on this recycling and smelting facility! Sérgio Domingues, Managing Director for the State of Georgia’s Europe Office, also played a supporting role in attracting Aurubis to Georgia. Read more…
|
|
 |
American Peanut Growers Group to Open New Processing Facility, Expand Shelling Plant
November 9, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Georgia-based American Peanut Growers Group (APGG) will invest $85 million in expanding operations in the state, creating 90 jobs. In addition to expanding its current Donalsonville shelling plant, APGG will open a new food processing facility on its 45-acre campus in Seminole County.
A shout out to Sarah Avery, Executive Director, the Development Authority of Seminole County and Donalsonville; Steven Hicks, City Manager, City of Donalsonville; Tina Herring, Senior Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Scott Purvis, Community Development Manager, Georgia Power; who worked together on this project expansion! Read more…
|
|
 |
Cloud Communications Provider Ringover to Open in ‘La French Tech’ Hub Atlanta
November 9, 2021 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced that Ringover, a leader in cloud communications, will open its first U.S. office in Atlanta as the company continues to solidify its presence within the U.S. market. Earlier in 2021, Atlanta was officially designated a “La French Tech” hub, making it a part of a global network of French startups and increasing the region’s visibility as a hotbed for tech talent and investment.
Way to go, Caroline Davis, Economic Development Manager, City of Sandy Springs; Samir Abdullahi, Deputy Director of Economic Development, Development Authority of Fulton County; Barton Lowrey, Project Manager, Corporate Solutions and Cyber Security, Global Commerce Division, Ellen Kraft, Business Development Manager for the State of Georgia's Europe Office, Marie Gordon, Director of Communications, Alison Wentley, Communications Specialist, Marketing, Communications & International Engagement Division, GDEcD; John Woodward, Vice President, Global Commerce, Michael Theisen-Jones, Director, Global Business Development, and Dylan Horne, Associate Project Manager, Metro Atlanta Chamber; and Sarah Carnes, Business Recruitment Associate, Georgia Power; the team members who collaborated on this project! Read more…
|
|
 |
Remington Firearms to Locate Global Headquarters, Open New Advanced Manufacturing Facility, World-Class Research and Development Center in LaGrange
November 8, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Remington Firearms (RemArms), America’s oldest firearms manufacturer, will locate its global headquarters and open a new advanced manufacturing operation as well as a world-class research and development center in LaGrange, Georgia. Through these projects, RemArms will invest $100 million and create 856 jobs over a five-year period in Troup County.
Congratulations to the following team members: T. Scott Malone, President, LaGrange Economic Development Authority; Kelly Bush, Economic Development Manager, City of LaGrange; Taylor Kielty, Senior Project Manager, Corporate Solutions and Cyber Security Team, Global Commerce Division, GDEcD; Charlie Moseley, Manager, Statewide Economic Development, Georgia Power; and Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing and Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start; who worked on this competitive project! Read more… |
|
 |
Georgia Council for the Arts Announces 2021 Poet Laureate Winner, Finalists
December 1, 2021 — This week, Georgia’s Poet Laureate, Chelsea Rathburn, in collaboration with Georgia Council for the Arts, announced the winner and finalists of the eighth annual Poet Laureate’s Prize. The prize is awarded for an original poem written by a Georgia high school student. This annual program is designed to encourage students in grades nine through 12 to write original poems and engage in the art form of poetry. Students submitted poems during the 2020-2021 school year, and the school year noted below reflects the students’ grade levels at that time. Read more… |
|
 |
Georgia International Trade Office Accepts National Award for Export Services from U.S. Department of Commerce
Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Deputy Commissioner for International Trade Mary Waters with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce Don Graves
November 5, 2021 — At a formal ceremony in Washington, D.C., Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Deputy Commissioner for International Trade Mary Waters accepted the President’s “E Star” Award for Export Service on behalf of the State of Georgia. The award, which is the highest honor given to providers of services to U.S. exporters, was presented by U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary, Gina Raimondo. Read more… |
|
|
Georgia Center of Innovation Launches New Website Following Record Year
November 1, 2021 – Following a year of record impact on Georgia businesses, the Georgia Center of Innovation, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), has refined its branding through the launch of new website assets to ensure that Georgia businesses of all sizes understand the Center’s services and benefits. In addition, the Center has secured key partnerships and added a new area of expertise focused on Agricultural Technology (AgTech). Read more… |
|
| Committee & Shared Interest Group (SIG) News |
|
|
To sign up for a Committee or Shared Interest Group (SIG) click here.
Professional Development - Scholarship-Grants
Plan now to apply for scholarship grants from GEDA in 2022. Scholarships can deepen your job understanding and enhance your career! They can be used for the University of Georgia’s Certified Economic Developer (GCED) 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
