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Chair's Column
Being Thankful
It’s that time of the year again, when the temperatures cool, the days get shorter, we’ve had Halloween, the elections have concluded (for the most part) and we begin to think about Thanksgiving. A uniquely American tradition, we enjoy a sumptuous feast, time with family and friends and a few days, or even minutes, to reflect on our lives and count our blessings. There are many things to be thankful for in my life and I’d like to share a few with you.
Mel Baxter, former President, Brunswick & Glynn County Development Authority, is now the Executive Director, Brantley County Development Authority.
Betsy McGriff, formerly with Archway Partnership, is now Executive Director, Development Authority of Dawson County
Stephanie Scearce, formerly Region 1 Project Representative with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, is now Vice President, Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Chuck Scragg, former Consultant & Interim Executive Director, Brantley County Development Authority, is now full-time President, Community & Economic Development Strategies & Solutions
GEDA New Members
Eleyce Coleman, Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority Emory Morsberger, Tucker Summit CID Terry Smith, Geotechnical & Environmental Consultants, Inc. Tyler Garrison, Macon Bibb County Industrial AuthorityIf you are moving, changing jobs or getting a promotion, please let us know by emailing us at kshea@georgia.org, and we’ll publicize this in the GEDA newsletter.
Project Announcements
Fox Factory Holding Corp. to create up to 800 jobs in Hall County - Designer and manufacturer of products for bicycles and powered vehicles to invest up to $50 million in new facilities, corporate headquarters relocation
October 31, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that Fox Factory Holding Corp., a designer and manufacturer of performance-defining, ride dynamics products primarily for bicycles and powered vehicles, expects to create up to 800 jobs and invest up to $50 million in new Georgia facilities including the relocation of its corporate headquarters to Georgia. The 23-acre site will diversify the company’s manufacturing platform and provide additional long-term capacity to support growth in its Powered Vehicles Group.
Congratulations to a huge cast of team members, who were involved in this project, including: The Honorable Nathan Deal, Governor, and Chris Riley, Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor; The Honorable Doug Collins, U.S. Congressman-Ninth District, and Joel Katz, Office of Congressman Collins; Pat Wilson, Commissioner, Tom Croteau, Deputy Commissioner, and Mike Grundmann, Director of Advanced Manufacturing, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; Jackie Rohosky, Deputy Commissioner, Quick Start, and Rodger Brown, Executive Director, Marketing & Strategic Media, Georgia Quick Start; Georgia Allies and Chris Clark, Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Red Carpet Tour; Dr. Ray Perren, President, and Tim McDonald, Executive Vice President, Lanier Technical College; Christopher Nunn, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Community Affairs; Mark Butler, Commissioner, Mark Winters, Manager, and Stephanie Ponce, Gainesville Career Center, Georgia Department of Labor; The Honorable Danny Dunagan, Mayor, and Bryan Lackey, City Manager, City of Gainesville; The Honorable Richard Higgins, Chairman, and Jock Connell, County Administrator, Hall County; Will Schofield, Superintendent, Hall County Schools; Jeremy Williams, Superintendent, Gainesville City Schools; Philip Wilheit, Chairman, Gainesville and Hall County Development Authority; Tim Evans, Vice President - Economic Development, Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce; David Lee, District Manager, Tate O’Rouke, Commercial & Industrial Representative, Jackson EMC; Lauren Price, Project Manager, Community & Economic Development, Georgia EMC; Rope Roberts, Northeast Georgia Community Development Manager, and Glennis Barnes, Area Manager-Gainesville, Georgia Power; David Lloyd, Manager-Gainesville, Liberty Utilities; Paul Chambers, Regional Director of External Affairs, AT&T; and Geoff Lee, President & General Manager, Road Atlanta. Read more…
BlackRock to create Innovation Hub in Fulton County World’s largest asset management firm to build presence in Atlanta, create 1,000 career opportunities
October 25, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that BlackRock, the world’s largest asset management firm and a technology solutions provider, has chosen Atlanta for the company’s newest Innovation Hub. BlackRock plans to build its presence in Fulton County, partner with the Atlanta business community and local universities, and create 1,000 career opportunities over the next several years.
Way to go Randall Toussaint, Senior Project Manager, and Susan Contreras, Assistant Director of Research, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Global Commerce Division; Rebecca Jordan, Associate Project Manager, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Randi Mason, Director of Economic Development, and Cesar Vence Invest Atlanta; and MaryBeth Flournoy, Business Recruitment Associate, Georgia Power; who worked on this project. Read more…
SEWON America to create 100 jobs in Troup County - Automotive supplier will invest $160 million to expand North American headquarters and manufacturing facility
October 24, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that SEWON America, a leading supplier to the automotive industry, will create 100 jobs and invest $160 million in expanding its North American headquarters and manufacturing plant in LaGrange. New jobs will include positions in supervision, production and warehouse operations.
Kudos toT. Scott Malone, President, and Kelley Bush, Senior Economic Development Manager, Development Authority of LaGrange; and Maggie Laton, Regional Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; on this nice expansion. Read more…
Wincore Window Company to create 150 Jobs in Emanuel County - Leading manufacturer of vinyl windows and fiberglass entry systems to invest $6.5 million in Swainsboro facility
October 23, 2018 - Governor Nathan Deal announced that Wincore Window Company LLC, a leading American manufacturer of premium vinyl windows and fiberglass entry door systems, will create 150 new jobs and invest $6.5 million in a manufacturing facility in Swainsboro.
A shout out to the team, who worked this project, including: Ken Warnock, Chief Executive Officer, Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce and Joint Development Authorities; Ryan Waldrep, Assistant Director, ESB & Region 9 Project Manager, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Global Commerce Division; and Georgia Quick Start. Read more…
Salesforce to create 600 jobs in Fulton County - Fastest growing top 5 enterprise software company to invest $12.25 million in Buckhead
October 16, 2018 - The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Salesforce, the global customer relationship management (CRM) leader, will create 600 jobs and invest $12.25 million to significantly expand its presence in Atlanta. The company will grow its footprint to seven floors in its existing building, The Atlanta Plaza, located at 950 East Paces Ferry in Buckhead. The building will now be known as Salesforce Tower Atlanta.
Congratulations to the team members, who worked on this project: Randall Toussaint, Senior Project Manager, GDEcD Global Commerce Division; Rebecca Jordan, Associate Project Manager, The Metro Atlanta Chamber; Randi Mason, Director of Economic Development, Invest Atlanta; and MaryBeth Flournoy, Business Recruitment Associate, Georgia Power. Read more…
Site Selection Ranks Georgia’s Business Climate No. 1 for Sixth Straight Year
November 5, 2018 — Gov Nathan Deal announced that Georgia’s business climate has been ranked No. 1 in the nation for the sixth consecutive year by Site Selection, a leading economic development trade publication. According to Site Selection, Georgia is the first state to hold this ranking for six consecutive years under leadership by the same governor. Read more…
GEORGIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS AWARDS VIBRANT COMMUNITIES GRANT
October 17, 2018 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) today announced the recipients of the Vibrant Communities Grant. Seventy-eight entities in 52 counties received nearly $300,000 in funding. Read more…
Georgia Economic Outlook - Atlanta
December 6, 2018 at the Georgia Aquarium, 246 Ivan Allen Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30313
Check out the Professional Development Committee on the GEDA website, or contact Saralyn Stafford, GEDA Chair, Professional Development & Rural Development Manager, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia. Also, be thinking about your professional development for next year and plan to apply for a GEDA scholarship to assist you in 2019.
Get involved in GEDA's Committees and SIGs to learn about projects and meet fellow members - visit your profile on GEDA.org to join.
