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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.
Recent Event
Unfortunately, we had to cancel the June monthly luncheon on Monday, June 15th. It is a sign of the times that we made this decision. The Georgia Tech Hotel is closed through the end of June and our date was only three days past the then-scheduled end of the Georgia Public Health Emergency. We did not feel that we would draw a significant crowd to justify a contract with another hotel. We thank our speakers, who had agreed twice to appear with us, both in March and at the postponed, now canceled date, of June 15th. Thanks also to our would-be sponsor, Steve Justice, Executive Director, and the Georgia Centers of Innovation for their support! Thanks lastly to Costas Simoglou, Director of the COI for Energy Technology at GDEcD, for his assistance in coordinating this program!
Our featured speaker was to be G.P. “Bud” Peterson, whowas to speak about the Lieutenant Governor’s Georgia Innovates Task Force to enable Georgia to be the “Technology Capital of the East Coast.”
Currently President Emeritus and Regents Professor in the Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. Peterson served as the 11th president of Georgia Tech from April 1, 2009 through August 31, 2019.
We were also to have a panel that would discuss the Georgia Smart Initiative. The Georgia Smart Communities Challenge (“Georgia Smart”) is a funding and technical assistance program for local governments within the State of Georgia.
Panelists were to discuss Community Innovation: Georgia Smart Program.
Kevin Dodsonhas received a promotion from Project Manager to Senior Project Manager on the Automotive, Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Team in the Global Commerce Division at GDEcD.
Joseph Huntemann, has also been promoted from Project Manager to Senior Project Manager on the Automotive, Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Team in the Global Commerce Division at GDEcD.
Fernanda Kirchner, Project Manager, has moved to the Automotive, Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Team from the disbanded International Investment Team at GDEcD.
Alisha Washington begins as Global Account Manager in the Marketing, Communications and International Engagement division;
Matt Willard begins as Digital Projects and Content Specialist in the Marketing, Communications and International Engagement division; and
Cassia Baker begins as Project Manager, Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA) Grant Initiatives.
Chair's Column
Let’s Have Conversations…
Greetings GEDA Members,
My heart hurts today. I’m saddened by the effects of a pandemic. I’m saddened by the fact I can’t interact with friends and colleagues as I would like. I’m saddened by the still ongoing racial and economic disparities across our country, and the persistent racism that runs through our communities.
Throughout my professional career I have strayed away from this topic in order to not seem as an antagonist but one that could prove through results that black people are just as qualified as white people. However, I have come to a point; we have come to a point, where I no longer avoid this topic.
Putnam Development Authority (PDA) Board Chairman, Walter C. Rocker, III announced that Patrick Topping has joined the PDA as the Authority’s new Interim Director of Economic Development. Read more...
Nominations Accepted
GEDA 2020 Chair Chris Pumphrey has appointed three members to the Nominating Committee this year: Maceo Rogers, Charles Stallworth and Pat Topping. These three members will join the GEDA Executive Committee members (Chris Pumphrey, Andrea Schruijer, Sean McMillan, Benjy Thompson and Pat Merritt), along with the Nominating Committee Chair, Missy Kendrick, GEDA Immediate Past, Past Chair, to make recommendations to the membership at this year’s GEDA Annual Business Meeting during the GEDA 2020 Annual Conference. This is your opportunity to nominate qualified members to be considered as GEDA Board Members and Secretary-Treasurer for next year. Linked here are position descriptions to review for Board Members and Secretary Treasurer and a nomination form for you to submit names for consideration by the Nominating Committee. Thank you for your participation and suggestions!
Project Announcements
** Names highlighted in green below are GEDA members with hyperlinks to their email addresses.**
Huali Floors to Create 315 Jobs, Invest More than $27 Million in Murray County
May 27, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Huali Floors, a leading manufacturer of resilient flooring, will establish its first U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility in Murray County. Huali Floors will create at least 315 new jobs and invest more than $27 million in an existing facility.
Kudos to the team members involved in this project: Illya Copeland, Executive Director, the Murray County Industrial Development Authority; Greg Hogan, Commissioner, Murray County; Taylor Kielty, Region 1 Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Sandra Yang, Project Manager, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food Team, and Stella Xu, represented the Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Rodger Brown, Director of Strategic Communications, Georgia Quick Start; Bradley Harris, Manager, Economic Development, Georgia EMC; Wesley Barrell, Appalachian Regional Port Terminal Manager, Georgia Ports Authority; and Elyse Davis, Northwest Georgia Community Development Manager, Georgia Power! Read more…
Mytex Polymers US Corp Invests Over $7 Million in Newton County Expansion
May 26, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Mytex Polymers US Corp (Mytex) is investing more than $7 million to expand its facility in Newton County, creating fifteen new jobs. Owned by Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Mytex develops, tests, and manufactures polymer solutions used in a variety of products including automotive parts, household appliances, recreational vehicles, industrial equipment, specialty packaging, and other everyday goods.
Way to go,Serra Hall, Senior Project Manager, and Dave Bernd, Vice President of Economic Development, Newton/Covington Economic Development Office and the Newton County Industrial Development Authority;Kristen Miller, Region 5 Senior Project Manager, Tina Herring, Region 10 Senior Project Manager (formerly Region 5) Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Bobby Hildreth, Area Development Manager, and Rope Roberts, Northeast Georgia Community Development Manager, Georgia Power; Aubrey Brown, Business Development Manager, CSX Railroad; the team members who worked to make this announcement possible! Read more…
Try-Con Tufters Invests $5 million in Chattooga County Expansion; Creates 104 Jobs
May 19, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that high-end carpet producer Try-Con Tufters will expand its commercial manufacturing operations in Chattooga County, investing $5 million in a new 109,000 square-foot facility and creating 104 additional jobs.
A shout out to the following members: Jeff Mullis, State Senator and President/CEO, and Spencer Hogg, Economic Development Project Manager,Northwest Georgia Joint Development Authority; Jason Winters, Sole Commissioner of Chattooga County; Taylor Kielty, Region 1 Project Manager, Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Elyse Davis, Northwest Georgia Community Development Manager, Georgia Power; who worked to assist in this expansion! Read more…
Governor Kemp Announces Microsoft Corp. to Expand Presence in Atlanta with 1,500 New Jobs, New Facility
May 15, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Fortune 500 company Microsoft Corp., a worldwide leader in software, services, devices, and solutions, will open a new facility in Atlanta, anticipated in summer 2021. The $75 million investment will create 1,500 new high-tech jobs in West Midtown.
Kudos to a large cast of partners that came together to make this competitive project a reality: Sunny Anderson, former Project Manager (now a Business Attraction Manager with Decide DeKalb), Asante Bradford, Project Manager, and Randall Toussaint, Director, Corporate Solutions and Cybersecurity Team, and Dana Brewer, Director of Incentives and Special Research Projects, and Susan Contreras, Director of Research, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; Greg King, CEcD (BIG shout out!) Associate Vice President for Economic Development, and Merry Hunter Caudle, Georgia Tech; Brenda Robbins, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; Gregg Simon, Senior Vice President, Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Matt Colvin, Executive Director of Economic Development, USG; the DCA team; Todd Greene, CEcD, Executive Director, Atlanta University Consortium; Samir Abdullahi, Economic Development Manager, Select Fulton (Development Authority of Fulton County); and Bob Kosek, Senior Project Manager, Business Attraction, and Nathan Reagan, Senior Vice President, Economic Development, Invest Atlanta! Read more…
A-1 Roof Trusses Plans $17 Million Investment, 130 Jobs in Decatur County
May 8, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that A-1 Roof Trusses, a leading manufacturer of pre-engineered wood trusses, plans to invest $17 million and create 130 jobs in a new manufacturing facility in Bainbridge. The Decatur County location will mark the company’s first facility outside of its headquarters in Fort Pierce, Florida.
Congratulations to Rick McCaskill, Executive Director, Development Authority of Bainbridge and Decatur County; Tina Herring, Region 10 Senior Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Scott Purvis, South Georgia Community Development Manager, David Tyson and Paul Snyder, Georgia Power; for their work in assisting A-1 Roof Trusses with its new investment! Read more…
Bates Precast Concrete, Inc. Invests 5 Million in Lowndes County Expansion
Bates Precast Concrete, Inc. will expand their footprint in Valdosta-Lowndes County with additional capital investment and new jobs. Bates Precast Concrete, Inc. will build a new office and production building, as well as increase their storage area to support production capacity and new product lines located in Lake Park Industrial Park.
The new facility will create new jobs in Valdosta-Lowndes County, and they will invest up to $5 million into the facility. Congratulations to Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director, Stan Crance, Director of Business Recruitment & Existing Industry, and Meghan Barwick, Marketing & Research Manager of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority on this expansion! Read more…
Georgia Film, TV COVID-19 Best Practices Available to Industry as Production Planning Continues
May 22, 2020– Governor Brian P. Kemp announced a filming “best practices” guide for Georgia that offers guidance for Georgia’s thriving film and television industries to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 when productions resume in Georgia. The recommendations were developed in close cooperation with officials from studio and production companies who maintain a presence in Georgia, and they can be found online at the Georgia Film Office’s website here. Read more…
Dublin Highway 257 Rail Property Certified As ‘Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development’ (GRAD) Site
April 15, 2020 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced with the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority that the county’s Highway 257 Rail Site is officially a “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) Certified property, with the new “Select” status. Along with its ideal location in Laurens County, the site’s new “GRAD Select” status provides an additional seal of approval that makes it attractive for future industrial development. Read more…
Over 220 Georgia Companies Providing Critical Supplies to Fight COVID-19
May 18, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced a list and interactive map of Georgia companies that have signed up to help businesses obtain personal protective equipment and health care supplies to fight COVID-19. The Georgia Suppliers Interactive Map and List, compiled by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), includes more than 220 Georgia companies providing needed protective supplies, along with an interactive map displaying business location and a tool to sort supplies by category. Read more…
Georgia Council for the Arts Announces Poet Laureate’s Prize Winner, Finalists
May 12, 2020— This week Georgia's Poet Laureate, Chelsea Rathburn, in collaboration with Georgia Council for the Arts, announced the winner and finalists of the seventh annual Poet Laureate's Prize. Read more…
UGA webinars to help guide Georgia communities through COVID-19 recovery
A series of free webinars designed to help Georgia communities plan their recovery from the coronavirus pandemic will be offered by the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government.
The Navigating Fiscal Crisis webinars will help local government officials and economic development professionals learn how to make ends meet during revenue shortfalls and will provide tools for budgeting and analyzing the economy, planning for cashflow, short-term funding strategies and communicating difficult financial decisions.
The series begins on May 28 with a 90-minute overview of the tools produced by the Vinson Institute to help communities understand the impact of the fiscal crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The series is free and all sessions will be hosted by Institute of Government faculty members, who have a combined 75 years of experience in local government finance and economic development. Navigating Fiscal Crisis: Managing Cash Flow 10 a.m. June 9 Free Register now Navigating Fiscal Crisis: Short-Term Funding Strategies 10 a.m. June 16 Free Register now Navigating Fiscal Crisis: Communicating the New Normal 10 a.m. June 23 Free Register now
The GEDA Professional Development Committee, chaired by Megan Baker, CEcD, Vice President, Fayette County Development Authority, will host a briefing on Economic Development Certification options. Megan has enlisted the support of several qualified GEDA members to help explain the options available and how to decide which program certificates will most help you, your community and career.
Topics and Speakers Include:
Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) and Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) designations - Ryan Waldrep, CEcD, EDFP, President, Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority
UGA Georgia Certified Economic Developer (GCED) designation - Jana Dyke, GCED, President & CEO, Waycross-Ware County Development Authority
Program Considerations - Tim Evans, CEcD, Vice President, Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce
GEDA Resources for Certifications - Kevin Shea, CEcD, President, GEDA
Q&A – Saralyn Stafford, CEcD, Rural Development Manager, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia
On behalf of GEDA, we would like to express our sincere thanks for your continued support and commitment to the organization. Members like you provide the support our association needs to continue our mission to serve as a resource for networking, professional development and public policy. Our words can express our gratitude only so much for your loyalty and trust, nevertheless we are continually inspired by your participation in helping us move the Georgia Economic Developers Association forward.
During the past several months, we, like you, have been challenged to modify the way we operate and communicate with our members due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The fallout from COVID-19 has disrupted programming activities, prompted cancellations of events and triggered a decline in revenues. Knowing that these occurrences have significantly impacted the lives of our members, we want to emphasize that we are working aggressively to get back to normalcy as much as possible.
Many of you have been hit hard financially during this trying time as well. Know that GEDA is making refunds for the recently cancelled March (postponed to June, then canceled) and April monthly luncheons, as well as the 2020 Spring Workshop (SW20). For SW20 sponsors, we are offering refunds, pledges of payments to the 2020 Annual Conference or possibly to some sort of virtual programming sponsorship. During the month of June, your board members will be discussing ways that GEDA might be able to provide new and additional value to you, our members.
Until we are able to meet again face to face, the Membership Engagement Committee is requesting that all members take a few minutes to update their membership profile on GEDA’s website. This ensures our site has the most accurate information for our members which will improve communications and boost networking effectiveness. If you have any questions or have difficulty, please contact Kelly McLendon, GEDA Manager, Member Services at 404-955-4840 or KMcLendon@Georgia.org.
It is our hope that you know how much we care and appreciate your support and partnership though this difficult time, and we look forward to greeting everyone in-person again as soon as safety allows. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to be safe and stay well.
Best Regards,
Chris Pumphrey Kevin Shea Maceo Rogers 2020 Chair President Chair, Membership Engagement Committee
Public Policy
We are grateful to Cornerstone Government Affairs for providing regular updates from Washington during this novel coronavirus pandemic. Click here to access the federal Legislative and COVID-19 Updates.
Non-Traditional Economic Development SIG
Take an afternoon break on Wednesday, June 10th, at 2:00 pm with the GEDA Non-Traditional SIG for an informal conversation and catch-up.
Sarah Carnes, Chair of the Research SIG enjoyed a virtual “Coffee Chat” on June 1. More than 25 people across the state participated and discussed new tools and challenges. We plan to continue convening virtually to share insights. We also invite others to join us, even if not in a formal research role.
Get involved in GEDA's Committees and SIGs to learn about projects and meet fellow members - visit your profile on GEDA.org to join.
Our featured speaker was to be G.P. “Bud” Peterson, who was to speak about the Lieutenant Governor’s Georgia Innovates Task Force to enable Georgia to be the “Technology Capital of the East Coast.”
Putnam Development Authority (PDA) Board Chairman, Walter C. Rocker, III announced that 
Monday, June 8, 2020
