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GEDA 2019 Regional Meetings - Summer of 2019
Monday, July 8, Northeast Georgia Good News Gathering, Chateau Elan, 9:00 AM-1:00 PM, hosted by Rope Roberts, Community Development Manager, Georgia Power, and sponsors. Register by contacting Rope, JERobert@SouthernCo.com.
Monday, July 15, Regions 8 & 10 Gathering, Leesburg, Georgia Depot, 11:45 AM-1:30 PM, hosted by Grant Buckley, Executive Director, Cordele-Crisp IDA, and Winston Oxford, Executive Director, Lee County Chamber and Development Authority. Register by contacting Christy Bozeman, ChristyBozeman@CrispIDC.com.
Tuesday, July 23, Region 9 Gathering, The Big House in Macon Georgia, 10:30 AM-1:30 PM, hosted by Andrea Taylor, Executive Director, Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber & JDA. Register by contacting Andrea, ataylor@jeffdavisjda.com.
Wednesday, August 28, Coastal Georgia Good News Gathering, Coastal Regional Commission, Darien, Georgia, 10:30 AM-1:30 PM, hosted by Jason Coley, Community Development Manager, Georgia Power, and sponsors. Register by contacting Jason, JFColey@SouthernCo.com.
If other regions are planning an event, please let the staff of GEDA know. Thanks!
GEDA August 2019 Luncheon: Transformation of a Downtown Through Public-Private Partnerships August 19, 2019 | 11:00 AM - 1:30 PM Columbus Georgia Convention & Trade Center | Columbus, GA Learn more and register by clicking here.
GEDA News
KIA Friends & Family Discount – Over the last several years several people have asked if GEDA has a discount with KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia. There is a discount that GEDA members can take advantage of, but it is not specifically for GEDA. It is a Friends & Family discount. Anyone interested in purchasing a KIA vehicle can contact Kevin Shea, GEDA President (404-962-4109), and he can put you in contact with the person at KIA who can assist you.
GDEcD News
Pat Wilson, GDEcD Commissioner, was just named to ‘The Power 100: Most Influential Atlantans of 2019’ list! The Atlanta Business Chronicle's annual special section naming Atlanta's 100 most influential people of 2019 was selected by the Chronicle's editors. Congratulations, Pat, on this honor! Several staff members have left GDEcD:
Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner, Tourism Division, retired on June 30th after 32 years with GDEcD, serving in many capacities. Congratulations, Kevin, on a job well-done!
Ben Hames, Deputy Commissioner, Workforce Division, retired from GDEcD on June 26th and will be launching Eight Ventures Private Wealth Management, a Registered Investment Adviser firm focused on financial planning and investments.
Dee Ford, Deputy Chief of Protocol, International Relations Division, retired on June 28th, after 17 years with GDEcD, to spend more time with family and pursue personal interests.
Stefanie Paupeck Harper, Director of Communications, left GDEcD on June 28th after 13 years with GDEcD to spend more time with her family and dive into freelance work.
Cheryl Smith, Manager of Partner Relations, Tourism Division, left GDEcD on June 28th. Cheryl was with the department for more than 31 years. She accepted a position with the Department of Agriculture as the Agritourism Manager.
Janet Cochran, Tourism Division’s Manager of Outreach and Education, left GDEcD on June 28th! Janet was with the department for 13 years. She accepted a position with the Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation as the North Georgia Project Manager.
Ryan Waldrep, CEcD, EDFP, former Assistant Director, Entrepreneur & Small Business and Region 9 Project Manager, GDEcD, has been chosen as the President of Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority.
Martha Kifle, formerly Research Analyst with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is now Senior Research Analyst at Cushman & Wakefield. Research Analyst Sajani Patel has taken over Martha’s role as administrator of the State of Georgia’s SiteSelector database of available buildings.
Chair's Column
Happy Summer GEDA Members!
Many of you may be planning for or in the middle of a summer vacation. If so, I hope all of your travels are safe and enjoyable. Even though we don’t have a July monthly luncheon, please check out the dates below for a GEDA “Gathering” near you. In addition, here are some reminders about upcoming GEDA meetings and important statewide economic development-related meetings I’d like to make you aware of:
The August 19th monthly GEDA luncheon in Columbus: This meeting will focus on non-traditional economic development strategies and give those who sign up for them in advance a close-up perspective of how Columbus has utilized several non-traditional economic development strategies to diversify their local economy, tax digest and boost tourism.
Paul Teague, Manager, Governmental Affairs with Atlanta Gas Light (Southern Company) in Savannah, is moving to Chattanooga to accept a promotion to Director of External Affairs for Chattanooga Gas Company.
Leonard Sledge, formerly Executive Director, Henry County Development Authority, has returned to Virginia, to be the Director of the Department of Economic Development for the City of Richmond.
Jesse Dillon, formerly Business Development Project Manager with the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA), has been promoted to Vice President of Business Development.
Matthew Gambill, formerly Executive Director of the Georgia Association for Career & Technical Education, is now Director of Business Development for NFP (formerly ShawHankins).
Nicole Ward, formerly President/CEO, Cochran-Bleckley Industrial Development Authority, went to work with Dublin Heating & Air Specialists.
Missy Kendrick, EDFP, IOM, former President/CEO of the Development Authority of Polk County, has been selected to lead the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority as President.
Heather Seckman, formerly the Director of Economic Development for the Rome-Floyd Chamber, will move to the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority as Project Manager
GEDA New Members
To view the new GEDA members, clickHERE.Consultant Connect ANNOUNCED NORTH AMERICA'S TOP 50 ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS OF 2019
ANNOUNCING NORTH AMERICA'S TOP 50 ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS OF 2019 Drumroll please! We are so excited to officially announce and congratulate this year's recipients of the Top 50 Economic Developer award for 2019. Each winner has been nominated by someone in the economic development or site consultant communities for their outstanding leadership and innovation in the profession. We hope you help us congratulate the winners! From May through September, each individual will be featured on our social media channels where you will learn more about their leadership insights and wisdom as practicioners in the profession. We are so honored to be able to work alongside many of these men and women who are leading the industry each and every day.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2019 WINNERS FROM GEORGIA
Angie Gheesling, Houston County Development Authority Charlie Moseley, Georgia Power Chris Pumphrey, Douglas County Development Authority Leonard Sledge, Henry County Development Authority
If you are moving, changing jobs or getting a promotion, please email us at kshea@georgia.org, and we’ll publicize your news in the GEDA newsletter.
Project Announcements
** Names highlighted in green below are GEDA members with hyperlinks to their email addresses.**
GE Appliances Grows in Georgia with $130 Million Investment, 300 New Jobs
June 20, 2019 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that GE Appliances (GEA), a Haier company, is significantly expanding its operations in Georgia through three significant investment and job growth initiatives in the state. The initiatives include $43 million invested in the company’s Roper Corporation facility in Walker County, creating 100 new jobs; a $32 million investment to build a new Southern Logistics Center that will create 100 new jobs in Murray County; and a new $55 million smart warehouse, creating 100 new jobs in Jackson County.
Congratulations to the team of Wylly Harrison, Director, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food Team , Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing and Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start; Grant Cagle, Business Development, Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG); Illya Copeland, Executive Director, Murray County Industrial Development Authority; Stacy Watson, Director of Economic and Industrial Development, Georgia Ports Authority; and Elyse Davis, Northwest Georgia Community Development Manager, Georgia Power; who worked on this project! Read more…
Wayfair to Create 500+ Jobs in Athens-Clarke County June 19, 2019 —Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Wayfair, one of the world's largest online destinations for the home, will create 500 jobs and invest more than $8 million in a customer support facility in Athens.
Kudos to the following members, who worked to locate this project: Michelle Nguyen, Director, Athens-Clarke County Economic Development; Sunny Anderson, Project Manager, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Lonnie Smallwood, Senior Project Manager, Georgia EMC; Sean McMillan, Director, Office of Economic Development, The University of Georgia; and Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing and Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start! Read more…
StudentBridge establishes new headquarters with plans to expand and invest in Chamblee June 11, 2019 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that StudentBridge, an award-winning company providing student engagement and lifecycle solutions to colleges across the nation, will accelerate its growth in both financial and human capital, continuing its $7.5 million investment and creating 50 new jobs over the next two years from its new headquarters in Chamblee.
Way to go Asante Bradford, Project Manager, Digital Entertainment and IT, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and MaryBeth Flournoy, Business Recruitment Manager, Georgia Power; who teamed to make this project a reality! Read more…
Thomas Regout Inc. to locate first U.S. location in Cherokee County June 5, 2019 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced that Thomas Regout Inc., a developer of innovative height adjustable mount systems for interactive flatpanels in schools, will create 25 jobs and invest more than $2 million in a new U.S. location in Woodstock. The products are marketed under the brand names BalanceBox® and e-Box®.
A shout out to Misti Martin, President, and Heath Tippins, Vice President, Cherokee Office of Economic Development; Nico Wijnberg, Director, International Investment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and MaryBeth Flournoy, Business Recruitment Manager, Georgia Power; on their fine work to locate this project! Read more…
Georgia Awarded Gold Shovel for Jobs and Investment June 17, 2019 — Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Georgia was awarded a Gold Shovel by Area Development Magazine for generating the most jobs and investment in the United States for the eight to twelve million population category. Congratulations to the Global Commerce team! Read more…
GEDA Education/Workforce Development Shared Interest Group (SIG)
Show your support for Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE)! Dr. Barbara Wall, Director of CTAE, Georgia Department of Education, and Chair, encourages GEDA members to show your support and encourage other business & industries to show their support by clicking this link. (Donations are not solicited, just support for Career and Technical Education.) There is a campaign for Georgia to secure 1,000 signatures from Georgia business & industry by this July to show their support. This is a way to help to secure double the funding for Career Technical Education for Perkins V. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) reauthorized the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act in July 2018. Perkins is a federal education program that invests in secondary and postsecondary CTE in all 50 states and all U.S. territories. CTE programs rely upon this investment to continually update their programs as the needs of the workforce evolve, cover expenses such as career guidance and advisement, build industry partnerships and more. Perkins also support states’ efforts to foster innovation, offer technical assistance and provide professional development. The federal investment in Perkins is essential for increasing learner access to high-quality CTE programs. With a focus on program improvement, this investment has been critical to ensuring that programs meet the ever-changing needs of learners and employers.
2019 Volunteer of the Year Nominations
Do you have an economic development cheerleader in your community? Someone who is always working to make your community a better place? Nominate him or her for Volunteer of the Year Award, and let us help you honor a special community volunteer.
Submit your nominations now! July 31, 2019 at Midnight. NO EXTENSIONS.
Application forms and a complete description of awards criteria are included below. Application Deadline: July 31, 2019 at Midnight. NO EXTENSIONS.
Criteria The Deal of the Year Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the location or expansion of new businesses in the state of Georgia that meet community economic development goals and involve significant community program support, such as financial or permitting assistance, workforce development, state financial support, etc. The categories of award are:
I. Population Category: a. Over 100,000 b. 50,001-100,000 c. 50,000 and under
II. Regional - any multi-county initiative
Eligibility Any economic development organization employing a current member of GEDA is eligible to enter a deal for consideration. To qualify, the community must have publicly announced the deal after June 30, 2018.
Nomination Procedure Members of GEDA may submit nominations. The application should include the entry form, supplemental information and photographs. The judges may request additional information from the organization as needed.
Judging Criteria Awards will be evaluated based on the following criteria: • Economic impact • Degree of expertise needed to create the deal • Obstacles and challenges that were overcome during the course of the deal
Awards Ceremony The Deal of the Year Awards will be presented at the GEDA November Monthly Luncheon, November 18, 2019.
Going to the GEDA 2019 Annual Conference (AC19)? Apply today for a GEDA Professional Development grant. You can receive up to $600 in scholarship money as reimbursement for expenses associated with the AC19. It takes place at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort and Spa on September 18-20. Three scholarships are available.
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.
Kevin Langston, Deputy Commissioner, Tourism Division, retired on June 30th after 32 years with GDEcD, serving in many capacities. Congratulations, Kevin, on a job well-done!
Dee Ford, Deputy Chief of Protocol, International Relations Division, retired on June 28th, after 17 years with GDEcD, to spend more time with family and pursue personal interests.
Martha Kifle, formerly Research Analyst with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is now Senior Research Analyst at Cushman & Wakefield. Research Analyst 
Leonard Sledge, formerly Executive Director, Henry County Development Authority, has returned to Virginia, to be the Director of the Department of Economic Development for the City of Richmond.
Nicole Ward, formerly President/CEO, Cochran-Bleckley Industrial Development Authority, went to work with Dublin Heating & Air Specialists.
