| Register today for the GEDA 2022 Spring Workshop in beautiful Jekyll Island. This year’s Workshop will be held at the Westin Jekyll Island and the Jekyll Island Convention Center from May 18-20. Our room block at the Westin has closed, but you can view other hotel options here. Cal Wray, Workshop Chair, and his committee have put together a great program with the theme of “We Are the Champions!” The SW22 has something for everyone, including quality professional development, a relaxing venue, and plenty of networking time for connecting with your peers. Come join us for an unforgettable week at the coast. Thank you to all of our sponsors, without whom we could not host such a superior event! |
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RECENT EVENTS
April Monthly Luncheon – Product Development
Our April luncheon, “The Perfect Match: Aligning your Product Development with the Needs of the Marketplace,” was a significant learning experience. We heard from experts, including Richard K. Blackwell, Vice President of Development, Southeast Region, Agracel, Inc.; Ricardo Palacios, PE, Senior Economic  Development Engineer, Georgia Power Community & Economic Development; Chuck Sexton, CEO, Next Move Group; and Stacy Watson, Director, Economic & Industrial Development, Georgia Ports Authority, and Moderator of the panel. Thank you to our sponsor, Chuck Sexton, and the Next Move Group, for their generous sponsorship! |
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GDEcD NEWSSmall BusinessLaunched in Macon in November 2021, the State of Small Business outreach program is a direct result of Governor Kemp’s Georgians First Commission initiative to identify and deploy ways to make Georgia more competitive for small businesses. As the backbone of our state’s economy, small business support is 80% of the work GDEcD does. Please reach out to Director of Small Business Outreach, Allen Fox, to discover how your community can be part of this important program Development.
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GEDA MEMBER NEWS
If you have received a promotion, taken a new job, started a new business or even moved on to another state, let us know. We would like to let your fellow GEDA members know about you.
Congratulations to our two newly-minted Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs) in Georgia, who received their designations from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) by passing the exam in March!
 Breezy Straton, CEcD, Vice President, Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership
 Taylor Edwards, CEcD, Project Manager, Development Authority of Columbia County (until May 23rd - when she will transition to a new position at Quest Site Solutions in Greenville, SC - Congrats again, Taylor!)
Welcome GEDA New Members, approved by the board at its April 2022 meeting:
| Adam Bartlett |
Henry County Development Authority, McDonough |
| James Eubanks |
Mitchell County Development Authority, Camilla |
| Eli Falls |
Murray County Industrial Development Authority, Chatsworth |
| Pricilla Gallogly |
W&A Engineering, Athens |
| Kevin Hanna |
Conyers Rockdale Economic Development Council, Conyers |
| Cliff Harris |
RA-LIN, Carrollton |
| Andrew Hickey |
Partnership Gwinnett, Duluth |
| Horace Hudgins |
City of Ocilla, Ocilla |
| Hazel McCranie |
Ocilla-Irwin County Chamber of Commerce, Ocilla |
| Nathan Ohle |
International Economic Development Council, Washington, DC |
| Earlisha Louis |
University of Arizona Student, Newnan |
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Call for Nominations
GEDA 2022 Nominating Chair Chris Pumphrey is charged with making leadership recommendations to the membership at this year’s GEDA Annual Business Meeting during the GEDA 2022 Annual Conference. The Nominating Committee will be meeting before the GEDA Spring Workshop in Jekyll Island. Now is your opportunity to nominate qualified members to be considered as GEDA Secretary-Treasurer and Board Members 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! The deadline for submitting names is Monday, May 16, 2022 |
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Updated GEDA Mailing Address
Please update the address you have on file for us for written correspondence, check payments, and invoices to:
2900 Delk Road
Suite 700, PMB 321
Marietta, GA 30067
You can download GEDA's updated IRS Form W-9 here.
Please note that GEDA's physical office location is not changing. You can still visit us anytime on the 12th Floor of Centergy One in Midtown Atlanta! |
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Welcome Two New GEDA Team Members!
We are very excited to welcome two new GEDA staff members who joined our team in March: Renee Dau and Asa Eggleston. |
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Renee Dau
Events Coordinator
Contact Renee with questions about monthly meetings and webinars, Spring Workshop, Annual Conference, and sponsorship opportunities.
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Asa Eggleston
Membership Administrator
Contact Asa with questions about membership updates, your member login, Committee & SIG information, registration questions, and website updates.
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Change.
It seems that Spring brings about a busy travel season for our profession. I’ve gotten used to the rhythm of the season, culminating with GEDA’s Spring Workshop in mid-May (and followed by my family’s annual Memorial Day/post-School Year beach weekend). I recently returned from a conference, driving up to our old farmhouse in Bulloch County, and spotted my 1993 Ford F-150 pickup. I couldn’t help but smile and reminisce a bit.
This old truck belonged to my grandfather. We called him “Papa Johnny” – Papa for grandfather, and “Johnny” because my mom called him Johnny, as he was my grandmother’s second husband. When he passed away in 2003, I asked my Mom if I could purchase the truck from his estate. That pickup, and Papa Johnny’s memory, meant a lot to me. I didn’t want to let go of that if I could help it. |
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 Georgia-based Nutrition Nonprofit MANA Nutrition Breaks Ground on $36 Million Expansion in Fitzgerald
May 4, 2022 | Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that MANA Nutrition, a Georgia-based nonprofit that produces ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF) to fight global malnutrition, celebrated breaking ground on an expansion of their Ben Hill County facility. With more than $36 million in investment, this is the company’s largest expansion investment to date. MANA will also add 10 new jobs, bringing the company’s employment in the county to 80.
Commendations to Jason Dunn, Executive Director, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Development Authority; and Elizabeth McLean, Region 11 Senior Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; who worked together on this project expansion! Read more… |
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 Jack Link’s to Create 800 Jobs with Georgia Manufacturing Facility in Houston County
April 26, 2022 | Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Jack Link’s, the global leader in meat snacks, will create 800 jobs and invest $450 million as the company expands to Georgia with a new manufacturing facility in Perry. The announcement was made with company, state, and local officials at an event at the future home of Jack Link’s.
Congratulations to the following team members: Angie Gheesling, Executive Director, Development Authority of Houston County; Fernanda Kirchner, Senior Project Manager, Corporate Solutions and Cyber Security, Global Commerce Division, and Chris Chammoun, Director of the Center of Innovation for AgTech, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Sarah Carnes, Business Recruitment Associate, Jim Lovett, Community Development Manager, and Paul Schneider, Economic Development Engineer, Georgia Power; Scott McMurray, Assistant Commissioner & COO, and Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing and Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start; and Matt Colvin, Director of Economic Development, the University of Georgia; who worked collaboratively on landing this project! Read more… |
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 Horticultural Container Manufacturer East Jordan Plastics to Invest $44 million in Toombs County
April 21, 2022 | Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that sustainability-focused East Jordan Plastics, one of the largest horticultural container manufacturers in North America, will invest more than $44 million in a new facility in Lyons. The project is expected to create 80 new jobs in Toombs County. Kudos to Michele Johnson, Executive Director, Toombs County Development Authority; Taylor Kielty, Senior Project Manager, Industrial Team, and Kristi Brigman, Division Director, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; who teamed up to assist on this successful project location! Read more… |
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 Boehringer Ingelheim Expands Global Innovation Capabilities, Invests $57 Million in Athens
April 20, 2022 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Boehringer Ingelheim, a global research-driven pharmaceutical development and manufacturing company based in Germany, will expand its Animal Health Global Innovation center in Athens, Georgia. The $57 million investment will increase laboratory space and bring additional research and development capabilities and activities, including 55 new positions, to the site.
A shout out to the following team members, who assisted Boehringer Ingelheim on this expansion: Dr. Ilka McConnell, Director, Economic Development, and Ryan Thornton, Industry and Manufacturing Specialist, Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Department; EJane Caraway, Director of Life Sciences, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; and Brenda Robbins, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power! Read more… |
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 Georgia-based Trenton Systems Opens New Headquarters in Gwinnett County
April 19, 2022 | The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Trenton Systems, a Georgia-based high-performance computer manufacturer, has opened a new headquarters in Gwinnett County. The company will be adding more than 50 new positions over the year and celebrated its growth at a grand opening in Duluth, Georgia. A salute to Andrew Carnes, Vice President of Economic Development, Deven Cason, Director, Business Retention & Expansion, and Brian Dorelus, Project Manager, Technology & Life Science, Partnership Gwinnett; Kristen Miller, Region 5 Senior Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Kimberly S. Allred, Project Manager, Metro Atlanta Chamber; and Brooke Perez, Community Development Manager, Georgia Power; for their joint efforts in landing this new headquarters of Trenton Systems! Read more… |
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 Ecopol to Establish Manufacturing Plant, North American Headquarters in Spalding County
April 12, 2022 | Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that sustainability-focused Ecopol, a European leader in the production of biodegradable PVA film, will invest more than $38 million and create 130 new jobs at the company’s first North American facility in Spalding County.
Way to go David Luckie, Executive Director, Griffin-Spalding Development Authority; Kasey Smith, Project Manager, Industrial Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Rebecca Jordan, Director of Project Management, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing & Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start; and Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; the team members who assisted Ecopol on this project! Read more… |
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 Norma Precision Ammunition Relocates its U.S. Headquarters, Manufacturing, Distribution Operations to Georgia
April 11, 2022 | Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Norma Precision Ammunition, a subsidiary of the leading European ammunition manufacturer RUAG Ammotec, has established its U.S. headquarters, manufacturing site, and warehousing and distribution operations in Chatham County. The company is currently hiring. Commendations to Trip Tollison, President & CEO, Savannah Economic Development Authority; Fernanda Kirchner, Senior Project Manager, Corporate Solutions and Cyber Security Team, Global Commerce Division, and Sergio Domingues, Managing Director, European Office, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; Stacy Watson, Director, Economic & Industrial Development, Georgia Ports Authority; and Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing & Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start; for their teamwork on locating this project in Savannah! Read more… |
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 State of Georgia Celebrates ‘Small Business ROCK STARS’ During Small Business Week 2022
May 2, 2022 | The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today announced its 2022 Small Business ROCK STARS as part of the state’s celebration of Georgia Small Business Week 2022, recognized Monday, May 2, through Saturday, May 7. A small businessman himself, Governor Brian P. Kemp is proud to recognize Small Business Week to highlight the hard work and determination of Georgia’s small business community, and he proclaimed this year’s Small Business Week here. Read more… |
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 New Georgia Economic Development Records Set for Jobs, Investment in Just Nine Months
April 7, 2022 | Governor Brian P. Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced that through the third quarter of fiscal year 2022 (July 1, 2021 - March 31, 2022), job creation and investments resulting from economic development projects have already surpassed fiscal year 2021 year-end totals. These 251 project locations supported by GDEcD’s Global Commerce team will result in the creation of more than 35,400 new jobs and $12.9 billion in investment for the state. Read more… |
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 Explore Georgia Promotes Value, Importance of Professional Meetings on Global Meetings Industry Day
April 7, 2022 | In support of Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID), and this year’s theme, “Meet Safe,” Explore Georgia, the tourism division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is proud to showcase how the state is successfully hosting in-person meetings safely. GMID, led by the industry advocacy coalition Meetings Mean Business and the U.S. Travel Association, recognizes the proven value that business meetings, conferences, conventions, incentive travel, trade shows, and exhibitions bring to businesses and the economy. Read more… |
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