October 2019 Chair's Column

I have to start this column by thanking you all for making our 2019 Annual Conference a tremendous success!  Congratulations to Andrea Schruijer for planning a wonderful conference, as well as the members of her planning committee.  You can find a photo gallery from the conference by clicking here.

With the GEDA Annual Conference behind us and only 12 weeks until 2020 is upon us, I can’t help but think about the amazing year we have had so far. 

• Our state once again earned the “Top State for Business” by Area Development Magazine for the sixth year in a row.
• Georgia companies created 28,960 new jobs and captured more than $7.4 billion in investment by attracting 332 projects.
• 339 productions were filmed in Georgia, resulting in $2.9 billion invested in the state
• Communities continue to invest in the GRAD Certified Site program, and 64 sites are now qualified

Of course, these accolades are a result of the hard work by economic development professionals at the local and state level.  I have said it before and I will say it again: your work as an economic development professional changes lives, improves communities, and strengthens our state.  Your work matters to so many people who will never meet you or know your name… but know that you building a better tomorrow by working hard today.

As we move into Fall and prepare for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, it’s important to remember that our work can change lives, but there are many people who still depend on the kindness of strangers.  As hard as it is to believe, there are many Georgians who go without shelter, food, and decent clothing.  State statistics estimate there are about 315,000 homeless people in our state, many of whom depend on the kindness of nonprofit organizations in your community. 

October is National Hunger Awareness Month, and if you aren’t involved in outreach efforts by a food bank, church, or other caregiving organization, I strongly encourage you to volunteer in some way.  Not only will you provide a hot meal to the needy of your community, but you’ll also see exactly why your work matters.  We tend to work with the more fortunate people in society: CEOs, bankers, entrepreneurs… but it is not often that we care for the poor, the sick or the homeless.  Those are truly the people we serve, and you’ll gain a new appreciation for your work when you see their struggles.

In closing, I look forward to seeing you Monday, October 21, at the Renaissance Midtown Hotel in Atlanta for our October Luncheon.  We will hear from Chris Schastok from CBRE about the latest trends in site selection process.  Register today!