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January 25, 2022 - CHANGE OF PLANS
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Program Details
We are sorry to inform you that GEDA cannot host its Legislative Event at the State Capitol. We have been informed that community groups are not allowed to assemble at the State Capitol, due to COVID concerns. In place of this event, GEDA will still be able to hear from our Legislative Leaders, but it will be on a virtual call on Tuesday, January 25 from 1:30-2:30 PM.
Our plan now is to have several Legislative Leader Speakers who will share with us issues that are important to GEDA members. Cornerstone Government Affairs is currently contacting these leaders, and we will let you know who they are ASAP.
Since we are not having a meal, GEDA will be sending a Chick-fil-A gift card in the amount of $40 to those registered for the call so that you can enjoy some Georgia "grown" Chick-fil-A products. For those registered, the Zoom-call details will be sent to you shortly.
Thank you to Dan McRae, Kevin Brown and Seyfarth LLC for their generous sponsorship of the day's events!
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This year is different…
I love, love, LOVE the holiday season. I start listening to Christmas music in October (ask Rachel, my partner with the Bulloch County Development Authority – she’ll confirm). I try to talk my wife into putting up decorations on the first weekend in November. I mark the dates for the Grinch and Rudolph on television, and my kids are too old now to suggest that I’m doing it for them. I’m very sentimental about the holidays, and the season makes me very happy. On the other hand, I tend to get sad after the holidays pass. We move from a time of joy, peace, and goodwill for a return to our normal lives and to some degree lose the holiday spirit.
But not this year! ... |
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Following are recent changes in the Global Commerce Division
 Scott McMurray, formerly Deputy Commissioner for Global Commerce, is now Assistant Commissioner/Chief Operating Officer for Georgia QuickStart at the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG).
 Brittany Young, Chief Operating Officer, will also fill the role of Deputy Commissioner for Global Commerce in the interim.
 Kristi Brigman, formerly Director, Corporate Solutions & Cyber Security Team, was recently promoted to fill the Division Director position recently vacated by Ashley Varnum.
 Hank Evans, formerly Director, Automotive, Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing (ADAM) Team, is moving into a new role to serve as a Government Liaison for Rivian as they develop their site and move towards producing vehicles.
 GDEcD is combining the Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food and ADAM teams to make one industrial team for now and Bob Kosek will be the Director.
 Taylor Kielty, former Senior Project Manager, Corporate Solutions & Cyber Security Team, will move to the Industrial Team as a Senior Project Manager.
 Barton Lowrey, formerly Project Manager, is being promoted to Assistant Director for the Corporate Solutions & Cyber Security Team.
 Fernanda Kirchner, formerly Senior Project Manager, ADAM Team, will be moving to the Corporate Solutions & Cyber Security Team as Senior Project Manager.
 Dana Brewer, formerly Director of Incentives and Special Research Projects, has joined the Office of Workforce Development, TCSG, where she conducts research to support the state’s WIOA programs, including analysis of high-demand occupations for Local Workforce Development Areas.
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IEDC Salary & Demographic Survey
IEDC's Salary & Demographic Survey of Economic Development Professionals has remained the industry-standard reference for compensation, demographic, and professional activity information. There is no better source of information in the field of economic development in which to benchmark yourself, your organization, and your region. This year’s survey also features new questions reflective of our new landscape.
Participate in this year's survey by clicking the button below. Participants will be entered to win one of three $500 Amex gift cards— make sure to take the survey today! In addition, all participants will receive 25% of the purchase price off the survey findings report and tables.
TAKE THE SURVEY NOW
Hurry! Survey Participation is Closing on Friday, January 14th.
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 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.
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| ** Names highlighted in orange below are GEDA members with hyperlinks to their email addresses.** |
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Battery Resourcers to Open North America’s Largest Lithium-ion Battery Recycling Facility in Georgia, Create 150 Jobs
January 5, 2022 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Battery Resourcers, a lithium-ion battery recycling and engineered materials startup, will invest $43 million to open its first commercial-scale battery recycling plant in Covington. The processing facility will become the largest of its kind in North America when fully operational in August 2022 and create at least 150 jobs in Newton County.
Commendations to the following partners, who teamed together on this project: Serra Hall, Executive Director, and Asher Dozier, Vice President of Economic Development, Newton County Industrial Development Authority; Virginia Sengewald, Project Manager, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Dylan Horne, Associate Project Manager, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing and Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start; and Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power! Read more…
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Roper Corporation Invests $118 Million in Walker County Expansion, Creates 600 Jobs
December 21, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Roper Corporation, a subsidiary of GE Appliances and Walker County’s largest employer, will invest $118 million in expanding their manufacturing operations, creating an additional 600 jobs in LaFayette.
Kudos to the following team members: Robert Wardlaw, Executive Director, Walker County Development Authority; Jeff Mullis, President and CEO, Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority; Taylor Kielty, Senior Project Manager, Corporate Solutions & Cyber Security Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Georgia Quick Start; and North Georgia EMC; who worked on this competitive project! Read more…
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Family-Owned Door Manufacturer to Invest $16 Million in New Turner County Facility
December 20, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that family-owned door manufacturing company Steves & Sons will locate an advanced distribution and value-added facility in Turner County to meet growing demand. The company will create 200 new jobs and invest more than $16 million in the project. Hiring will begin immediately and increase as operations ramp up.
Way to go Sam McCard, Interim Executive Director, Turner County Development Authority; Elizabeth McLean, Senior Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing and Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start; and Scott Purvis, Community Development Manager, Georgia Power; who worked together on this project! Read more… |
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Governor Kemp Welcomes Rivian for Single-Largest Economic Development Project in State History
December 16, 2021 – At an event with company leaders, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Rivian Inc. (Rivian) will invest $5 billion in a carbon-conscious campus in Georgia for its electric adventure vehicles. Across operations, Rivian will create approximately 7,500 jobs on just under 2,000 acres located at the site known as the East Atlanta Megasite, represented by the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton counties. Once manufacturing operations are fully ramped up, the Georgia facility will be capable of producing up to 400,000 vehicles per year. Rivian’s manufacturing plant represents the single-largest economic development project in state history.
Congratulations to a large cast of team members who worked collaboratively on Georgia's largest project announcement ever! The team woking on this competitive project, includes: Serra Hall, Executive Director, and Asher Dozier, Vice President of Economic Development, Newton County Industrial Development Authority; Shane Short, Executive Director, Dessa Morris, Workforce Development Director, Aida Roberts, Economic Development Manager, Development Authority of Walton County; Bob Hughes, President and Economic Development Director, Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce; David Dyer, Executive Director, Development Authority of Jasper County; the Joint Development Authority (JDA) of Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton Counties; Hank Evans, Director, Automotive, Aerospace and Advanced Manufacturing Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Stacy Watson, Director, Economic & Industrial Development, Georgia Ports Authority; Russell McMurry, Commissioner, and Jannine Miller, Director of Planning, Georgia Department of Transportation; Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing and Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start; Gregg Simon, Senior Vice President, Project and Partner Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; and Linda Manis, Director, Business Service Unit, Georgia Department of Labor! Read more… |
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Governor Kemp Announces Leading Semiconductor Manufacturer to Open Design Center in Atlanta
December 6, 2021 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Micron Technology, Inc., one of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers and the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory, will open a state-of-the-art memory design center in Midtown Atlanta in January 2022. The new center will include offices, a data center, and research and development operations, creating 500 jobs in the metro Atlanta region.
A shout out to the team of Barton Lowrey, Project Manager, Corporate Solutions and Cyber Security Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Chris Joiner, Senior Project Manager, Business Attraction, Invest Atlanta; Samir Abdullahi, Deputy Director of Economic Development, Select Fulton; Gregg Simon, Senior Vice President, Project and Partner Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Greg King, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, and Merry Hunter Caudle, Associate Director, Economic Development, Georgia Tech; and Brenda Robbins, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; who collaborated on this successful project! Read more… |
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Seventeen Georgia Companies Receive 2021 GLOBE Awards, Three Recognized as Exporters of the Year
December 14, 2021 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced its International Trade division’s 2021 GLOBE Award recipients. This state-led awards program highlights Georgia companies that expanded sales to new international markets in the previous year. During 2020, a year marked by pandemic-caused disruptions and uncertainty, the 17 GLOBE winners exported to 50 distinct countries. Read more…
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Georgia Department of Economic Development Announces 2021 GEAR Award Winners
December 8, 2021 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today announced the five companies that earned 2021 GEAR Awards. These awards are designed to recognize forward movement in the state’s automotive and mobility industries through innovation and emerging technologies. Read more…
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Germany’s Most Populous State, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), to Open Georgia Office
December 8, 2021 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is opening a representative office in Atlanta. The office will be run by the state-owned trade and investment agency NRW. Global Business. NRW will also be the first German state to have a physical presence in Georgia. Read more… |
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| Committee & Shared Interest Group (SIG) News |
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To sign up for a Committee or Shared Interest Group (SIG) click here.
Professional Development - Scholarship-Grants
There is still time to apply for scholarship grants from GEDA in 2021. 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.
Professional Development Committee Update:
Do you have questions about land development or what to be aware of when purchasing a building? How familiar are you with the industrial or commercial leases? Your opportunity for quick and effective lessons about real estate will soon be available. Stay tuned. We’ll be rolling out a new series of professional development webinars for 2022. Contact: Jason Dunn, Chair, & Executive Director, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Development Authority, for more information.
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF BURKE COUNTY
Posted on JAN 6
This position will be posted until January 24, 2022 Location: Waynesboro, Georgia. Category: Development Authority; Position Type: Full-Time...
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - MITCHELL COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
Posted On: JAN 6
This position will be posted until January 31, 2022. Location: Camilla, Georgia. Category: Development Authority; Position Type: Full-Time...
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PLANNER - RIVER VALLEY REGIONAL COMMISSION
Posted On: DEC 16
This position will be posted until January 29, 2022. Location: Americus or Columbus, Georgia. Category: Other: Regional Commission; Position Type: Full-Time; Education Requirement: Bachelor's...
COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER - PARTNERSHIP GWINNETT
Posted On: NOV 8
This position will be posted until February 5, 2022. Location: Duluth, Georgia; Category: Chamber of Commerce; Position Type: Full-Time; Education...
RESEARCH ANALYST - GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Posted On: NOV 8
Position will be posted until February 10, 2022. Location: Atlanta, Georgia; Categories: State Government; Position Type: Full-Time; Education...
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