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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.
Thank you to Chris Schastok, First Vice President, CBRE in Chicago, who provided some insightful and helpful comments to our lunch attendees, when interviewed by Charlie Moseley, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power at the Consultant Luncheon on Monday, October 21st at the Renaissance Midtown Atlanta Hotel. Thank you to our sponsor, Invest Atlanta. Click here to see the attendees. Also, click here to see the photographs from the luncheon.
SIOR Reception
GEDA hosted a continuing education (CE) class on the afternoon of Monday, October 21st at the CODA building for the Georgia Chapter of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR). Thank you to Charlie Moseley, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power, and GEDA Chair of the Business Recruitment Committee, for his efforts in arranging the panelists for the presentations. After the CE, GEDA hosted a reception in the WeWork space in the CODA building, with the assistance of our sponsors. Thank you to the following sponsors for your tremendous support!
New officers and board members were elected at the GEDA Business Meeting at the 2019 Annual Conference. These people will take office on January 1st, 2020. Chair: Chris Pumphrey, Executive Director, Douglas County Economic Development Authority First Vice Chair: Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director, Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Second Vice Chair: Sean McMillan, Director, Office of Economic Development, University of Georgia Secretary-Treasurer: Benjy Thompson, CEO, Development Authority of Bulloch County Immediate Past Chair: Pat Merritt, CEcD, IOM, Vice President, Community & Economic Development, Georgia EMC
New Board Members (serving a three-year term) Lee Chapman, Vice President of Marketing, Member Services and Governmental Affairs, Jackson EMC Brian Sillitto, CEcD, Executive Vice President of Economic Development, Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Andrea Taylor, CEO, Hazlehurst-Jeff Davis Chamber & JDA Stacy Watson, Director, Economic & Industrial Development, Georgia Ports Authority
Board Members (returning for a two-year term) Dorie Bacon, CEcD, Executive Director, Screven County Development Authority Walt Farrell, Manager, Statewide Economic Development, Georgia Power Jessica Hood, EDFP, Director of Economic Development and Existing Industry, Effingham County Industrial Development Authority Al Nash, Chief Executive Officer, Development Authority of Fulton County
Board Members (returning for a one-year term) Tom Croteau, Senior Managing Director, Project Management & Client Services, Maxis Advisors Meghan Duke, EDFP, Economic Development Director, West Point Development Authority Kyle Fletcher, Executive Director, Thomaston-Upson IDA Darrell Moore, Executive Director, Center for South Georgia Regional Impact, Valdosta State University
IEDC AWARDS
Several Georgia economic development organizations were recognized at the IEDC (International Economic Development Council) Annual Conference that was recently held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Congratulations to the following recipients:
The Cherokee Office of Economic Development won for its Year in Review (Annual Report) [Gold Award], the Cherokee By Choice Campaign Case for Support in the Special Pupose Print Brochure category Brochure (Gold Award) and under the Redevelopment & Reuse category (Silver Award) for the development of Cherokee 75 Corporate Park.
Partnership Gwinnett won for the Innovation Programs and Initiatives for its Peer Redevelopment Tour (Silver Award). This program is an annual invitation-only event that brings Gwinnett elected and appointed officials and community stakeholders to peer communities in metro Atlanta and beyond to learn about redevelopment trends, best practices, opportunities and successes.
Invest Atlanta won for its 2018 Annual Report (Gold Award), AEDO reaccreditation and its Students2Startups program, an initiative developed by Invest Atlanta and WorkSource Atlanta to help the City of Atlanta continue to build its tech talent pipeline.
The Savannah Economic Development Authority won in the Multimedia/Video Promotion Category as a Silver Winner for its Savannah Manufacturing Center video of a new 719-acre advanced manufacturing development in Chatham County.
Chair's Column
November Chair's Column
November is the beginning of the holiday season, a time when we can look back on the year and count our blessings. Many of our members celebrated happy moments in 2019… some got married, welcomed new babies, or found a new job. Others may have found heartache in 2019… the passing of a cherished loved one, separation from family, or a health concern. No matter the circumstance, though, we know that we are not alone. For many of our members, GEDA is like family… they celebrate the good times together, and they mourn together in the bad times. So, on this first week of the holiday season, I am thankful for the friends that I also call “family.”
With that spirit of Thanksgiving in mind, let me count my thanks…
Maggie Laton Reestra, formerly Region 4 Project Manager, GDEcD Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment Team, is now with the Coweta-Fayette EMC.
Terry Schwindler, formerly Executive Director of the Putnam Development Authority, is now the President/CEO of the Development Authority of Polk County.
If you are moving, changing jobs or getting a promotion or have other news to share, 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.**
Alfrex to locate headquarters in Hall County, creating 30 new jobs
October 29, 2019 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Alfrex, a manufacturer of fireproof exterior panels, will locate its North American headquarters, as well as its sales and manufacturing facilities, in Hall County. The company will invest $6.2 million in the project, creating 30 new jobs in Buford.
Congratulations to the many partners on this project, including: the Hall County Commission and Tim Evans, Vice President of Economic Development, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce; Yoonie Kim, Director, Korean Investment, GDEcD Global Commerce Division; Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; Rick Spiller, Ross Spiller; Billijack Bell, Wilson, Hull & Neal; Dave Williams and Steven McCraney, McCraney Property Company; the team at Evans General Contractors; and James Pitts, Kellogg Partners! Read more…
Parsons Corporation to Expand Operations at Georgia Cyber Center
October 17, 2019 — Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Parsons Corporation, a leading cybersecurity technology provider, is expanding its operations at the Georgia Cyber Center by adding more than 80 new jobs.
A shout out to those who worked on this project, including: Cal Wray, President, Augusta Economic Development Authority; Michael Shaffer, Executive Vice President for Strategic Partnerships and Economic Development, Augusta University; Adela Kelley, Region 7, Senior Project Manager, Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment Team, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; and JLL! Read more…
Rangle to open software development center in Atlanta, creating 30 new jobs
October 29, 2019 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Rangle, a Java-based agile software development company, will open a new software development center in Fulton County, creating 30 new jobs. Way to go Sunny Anderson, Project Manager, GDEcD Global Commerce Division and Gail Morris, Managing Director, State of Georgia Canada Office; Bob Kosek, Senior Project Manager, Business Attraction, Invest Atlanta; Charlie Moseley, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; and Rebecca Jordan, Senior Project Manager, Metro Atlanta Chamber; who worked together to locate this project! Read more…
Dean Baldwin Painting to Build Hangar at Middle Georgia Regional Airport, Create 115 New Jobs in Macon-Bibb County
October 16, 2019 — Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Dean Baldwin Painting, a private company providing full strip and paint services for military and commercial aircraft, will invest $21,450,000 to build a new, four bay service hangar at the Middle Georgia Regional Airport, creating 115 new jobs in Macon-Bibb County.
Kudos to the team members who worked this project: Robby Fountain, Chairman, Dwight Jones, Vice-Chairman, and Stephen Adams, Executive Director, the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority; Candice Scott, Region 6 Senior Project Manager, Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment Team, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; and Mickey Daniell, Community Development Manager, Georgia Power! Read more…
Advantage Captital Invests in MeltBlown Technologies, Supporting Economic Growth in Rural Georgia
Sandersville manufacturing company, MeltBlown recently received an investment from Advantage Capital in connection with the Georgia Agribusiness and Rural Jobs Act. The investment will support the company’s anticipated growth while adding over a half-dozen jobs in the near term to help boost economic development in the local community. Read more...
Ball Corporation to Build New Manufacturing Facility in Floyd County, Create More Than 180 New Jobs
October 16, 2019 — Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Ball Corporation, a provider of aluminum packaging for beverages, personal care, and household products, will expand its operations in Rome. The company will build a new aluminum cups manufacturing plant, creating more than 180 new jobs and investing more than $200 million in the project.
Congratulations to Missy Kendrick, EDFP, President/CEO, Rome-Floyd County Development Authority; and Taylor Kielty, Region 1 Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; the City of Rome, Floyd County and the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce; and Carroll EMC; who worked to secure this expansion! Read more…
Coca-Cola UNITED to Build New Facility in Tift County, Create 200 Jobs
October 11, 2019 — Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Coca-Cola Bottling Company United (UNITED), the second largest privately held Coca-Cola bottler in North America, will build a new sales center in Tifton, creating 200 jobs and investing $60 million in the project. Kudos to Brian Marlowe, President, Tift County Development Authority; Wylly Harrison, former Director, (now with Kajima Building and Design Group) and Hank Evans, Senior Project Manager, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food Team, Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division; and Scott Purvis, South Georgia Community Development Manager, Georgia Power. Read more…
Explore Georgia Awards Funding to Seven Tourism Projects: Grant Program provides financial support for new and expanding tourism projects
October 30, 2019 —Explore Georgia, the state tourism office within the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced that it has awarded more than $64,000 in tourism product development grants to seven new and expanding projects across the state. Read more…
UGA Georgia Economic Outlook Series
Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium - December 11, 2019
Macon, Convention Center - January 9, 2020
Jekyll, Convention Center - January 16, 2020
Augusta, Marriott - January 23, 2020
Albany, Hilton Garden Inn - January 29, 2020
Columbus, Convention Center - January 30, 2020
Athens, Classic Center - February 5, 2020
Registration and details via WWW.TERRY.UGA.EDU/EO University of Georgia Terry College of Business
Call for Applications: Fund Your Research with EDRP
The Center for Economic Development Research at Georgia Tech's Enterprise Innovation Institute will be funding a new round of Economic Development Research Program (EDRP) projects and is looking for communities to submit their applications for research. The mission of EDRP is to assist local communities by providing affordable economic development and policy research to enhance their competitive positions. The types of research include strategic planning and visioning, economic forecasting, fiscal and economic impact analysis, community assessments, downtown development planning, and workforce analysis and planning to name a few.
If your community has a need for economic development research, is willing to become actively involved in the project during the study phase and follow-up implementation, and is willing to provide some level of cost match, Georgia Tech and EDA want to partner with you to conduct the research.
There are limited funds available and projects will be chosen based on local commitment, likelihood of implementation, level of cost match, and obviously a match with the capabilities of the research team at Georgia Tech. We look forward to getting your applications and partnering with you to meet your community’s research needs.
Barbara Wall, Chair of this Shared Interst Group, shared with us a publication recently produced from the Career Technical and Agricultural Education Division of the Georgia Department of Education. The GEORGIA ALIGNMENT TOOLKIT, Resources For Connecting Education And Business, was formulated with the assistance of the University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government. Click here to access this publication online.
Get involved in GEDA's Committees and SIGs to learn about projects and meet fellow members - visit your profile on GEDA.org to join.
Several Georgia economic development organizations were recognized at the IEDC (International Economic Development Council) Annual Conference that was recently held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Congratulations to the following recipients:
