Check out the December 2022 GEDA newsletter to keep up to date with the latest news, stories, and announcements.
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 When I started my professional career it was with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs in the marketing department. It was while I was at DCA when I was first introduced to GEDA. I had the opportunity to come alongside the then secretary/treasurer to help organize the Spring Workshop that year. As we planned for the Spring Workshop and as I continued my membership with GEDA, I didn’t know my career would eventually land here many years later, although I am glad to be here.
As the President of GEDA, my top priority will be to get our members the information you will need in order to stay current and prepared on hot topic economic development issues we are seeing through out the state, as well as items you could be seeing in your local communities. Our vision for GEDA is that we will be a go-to resource for all economic development issues - it is time to work to have a seat at more tables. This means our association will have to be more involved with public policy, while also having a greater presence at the Capital. We want to bridge the gap between you and your local legislators, helping to create flourishing relationships with members of the General Assembly. In addition to this, we will continue doing what we know we are good at — connecting and educating ED professionals throughout the state. These core functions will still be important to us as we begin pioneering a new season here at GEDA.
It is important for us to show knowledge and credibility through our relationship, social channels, media, educational resources, PR and conferences. My goal is that you will be able to learn, grow, and connect, while being informed and ready for legislative issues that you will see come across your desk. I am confident that as GEDA begins to reach further, it will benefit each of you and your local communities.
As I mentioned at our luncheon in November — the goal of GEDA isn’t to strive, the goal of GEDA is to use the existing talents and resources to build something great together. I look forward to seeing each of you soon and working hard towards a common goal of making GEDA a go-to resource for economic development.
All the best,
H. Grant Cagle
gcagle@georgia.org
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Registration is now open for the Annual Legislative Leaders Meeting at the Georgia State Capitol on Tuesday, January 24th. Don't miss this opportunity to meet your state legislators and hear updates from members of the general assembly.  Click the button below to learn more and register. Thank you to our generous sponsor, Seyfarth Shaw, for supporting this event! |
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 The 2023 Georgia Logistics Summit, to be held in Savannah, March 8, 2023, at the Savannah Convention Center, has now opened registration for participants through the Summit website at www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-georgia-logistics-summit-tickets.
Hosted by the Georgia Center of Innovation, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the event will explore the intersection of the economy, technology, and growth of Georgia’s ports in an industry that touches every facet of commerce.
Keynote speakers include:
- Griff Lynch – Executive Director, Georgia Ports Authority
- Chris Gaffney – Principal, ECG Consulting, and retired VP Global Strategic Supply Chain for The Coca-Cola Company
- Rick McDonald – Senior VP, Chief Supply Chain Officer, The Clorox Company
- Paul Bingham – Economist, S&P Global Market Intelligence
- Jannine Miller – Director of Planning, Georgia Department of Transportation
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| Thank you to everyone who attended our Annual Awards Ceremony in November, and a huge congratulations to this year's Award Winners: |
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Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence
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Anna Chafin
Development Authority of Bryan County
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Kevin Shea
Former GEDA President
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Regional Deal of the Year
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Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, & Walton
Rivian
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Regional Deal of the Year
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Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority
Hyundai Motor Group
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Large Community Deal of the Year
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Partnership Gwinnett
Intuitive
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Mid-Size Community Deal of the Year
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Development Authority of Bulloch County
Aspen Aerogels
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Small Community Deal of the Year
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Fitzgerald and Ben Hill County Development Authority
Polar Beverage
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Terry Stone
Jeff Davis County
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Committee Chair of the Year
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Robbie Bennett
Development Authority of Columbia County
Development Authority Executives Committee
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Committee Member of the Year
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Liz Ely
Savannah Economic Development Authority
Annual Conference Committee
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Thank you to our Annual Awards Luncheon Sponsor!
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| ICYMI: GDEcD has had an exciting month filled with lots of end of year project announcements. Check out the GDEcD Newsroom for the latest press releases. |
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Chad Charping, former Financial Planning Associate with Waverly Advisors, LLC, is now an Industrial Project Manager with Electric Cities of Georgia.
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| Mark Elliott, former Field Representative for Congressman Jody Hice, is now an Industrial Project Manager with Electric Cities of Georgia. |
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| Abby Turano, former Deputy Commissioner - Marketing, Communications & International Engagement for GDEcD. Is now Strategic Communications VP for Metro Atlanta Chamber. |
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| Sabrina Wright formerly Assistant Director of Business Retention for Invest Atlanta, is now the Economic Development Director of Cobb County Community Development Agency. |
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As we come closer to the end of the year GEDA thanks you for your membership and attendance to events throughout the year! Truly without you all, GEDA couldn't make the strides in serving the Economic Development Community that we have this year.
Everyone should have received a Membership Renewal Notice. You can login to your Member Profile to view and pay the invoice. If you need help, have any questions or concerns please contact the GEDA staff. We will be more than happy to help with any inquiries! |
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Excitement.
My excitement level this time of year is usually pretty high, and mostly based on the holidays. It’s a little embarrassing to admit how happy Charlie Brown and Linus make me as they walk through the snow in the Peanuts Christmas special.
This year, however, the excitement isn’t just due to the season. I’m excited about the opportunity to serve as GEDA Chair one more year. We had a great GEDA Board Retreat in Athens a few weeks ago to prepare for the year ahead and beyond. You all have a tremendously talented group of leaders for GEDA, and I’m so fortunate to have this group working together for 2023.
I’m also thrilled to have Grant Cagle as our new GEDA President. I’ve enjoyed talking with Grant about our organization and the ideas he has for moving us forward. I really appreciate his infectious energy and positive attitude. We are going to do great things with Grant. |
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Georgia Grown Stuckey’s to Expand in Jefferson County
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December 1, 2022 – Georgia Department of Economic Development announced that Stuckey’s, a more than 80-year-old family business known for its pecan log rolls, will create 60 new jobs and invest more than $5 million in expanding its Jefferson County facility and headquarters. The company will retain the 90 positions it currently employs at the facility. Read more...
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Gov. Kemp: Norma Precision Inc. to Create 600 Jobs, Invest $60 Million in Bryan County
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November 20, 2022 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Beretta Holding S.A., through its subsidiary Norma Precision Inc., will expand its footprint in Georgia and build a new manufacturing, assembly, and distribution facility in Bryan County. The $60 million project will create 600 new jobs for which the company is currently hiring.
"It is a testament to Georgia's strong workforce and economy that companies continually choose to further invest and expand their operations in the No. 1 state for business," said Governor Kemp. Read More... |
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Gov. Kemp: NewCold To Make Henry County's Single-Largest Investments With State-of-the-Art Distribution Facility
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October 24, 2022 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that NewCold, a global leader in automated storage and cold chain logistics, will build and operate an advanced, large-scale distribution facility in Georgia. This project will create 170 new jobs and deliver more than $333 million in investment – the single-largest investment by a business in Henry County, to date.
"All across Georgia, communities are celebrating record-breaking jobs and investment," said Governor Brian Kemp. Read More... |
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Coulter Jewell Thames, P.A. Combines with Thomas & Hutton to Serve Expanding Raleigh-Durham Market
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| October 19, 2022 – Thomas & Hutton (T&H), a Southeast-based professional consulting firm, announced the addition of Durham’s Coulter Jewell Thames, P.A. (CJT) to the team. With offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, T&H’s addition of CJT increases its presence in the Raleigh-Durham region. The combination was effective September 30, 2022, and CJT’s offices in Durham and Roxboro, NC now join the Thomas & Hutton family. Co-founder and president of CJT, Dan Jewell, RLA, ASLA, will serve in his new role as a T&H Principal and Raleigh-Durham Regional Director. Read more… |
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Georgia Southern University
Awarded Economic Development Grant
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| October 19,2022 – Georgia Southern University was awarded a Venture Challenge grant to support programs the enable high-growth technology entrepreneurship and foster inclusive access to proven entrepreneurship support models. This grant is part of the Economic Development Administration's "Build to Scale" grants, and Georgia Southern was one of only 51 national recipients to receive a grant. Learn more about how the grant will be used here. |
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| After two days of excellent conversation at the 2022 GEDA Board Retreat, our Committee & SIG Chairs are hard at work on their 2023 Action Plans. We look forward to announcing in January the exciting ways to get involved! |
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SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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| Did you know that most scholarships go unused every year? This is your money for the asking! Take a few minutes TODAY to apply for a scholarship grant. These grants can deepen your job understanding and enhance your career! They can be used to attend many Professional Development events, including: the University of Georgia’s Certified Economic Developer (CED) courses, 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 Brittney Love, Manager, Member Services at GEDA. |
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THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 SPONSORS
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