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October 2020 GEDA Newsletter

Date postedOctober 7, 2020
GEDA News,

GEDA October 2020 Newsletter

Latest News from GEDA
 

Georgia Economic Developers Association

GEDA NEWSLETTER

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GEDA/GDEcD News / Chair's Column / GEDA Member News / Projects / Other Announcements / Committee & SIG News / Events / Job / Sponsors 

Upcoming Events - October Monthly Meeting

Register today for our October program on Monday, October 19th at 11:00 AM to hear Christopher Lloyd of Maguire Woods.  Charlie Moseley, GEDA Chair of the Business Recruitment Committee, and Business Recruitment Director with Georgia Power, along with Sean McMillan, has invited Christopher to join us and share about the site selection process during COVID. Make plans now to join us for this educational and informative call! Thank you to our sponsor Golden Isles Development Authority.
 


Recent Event

There is one more call remaining for the GEDA 2020 Virtual Annual Conference (AC20)!  You can still register for this call on Thursday, October 8th, which will feature Governor Brian Kemp and several business leaders, whose companies have weathered COVID successfully.  Speakers include:
  • Tracy McConnell, Vice President of Technical Services, King & Prince Seafood, Brunswick
  • Ryan Adolphson, President, RWDC Industries, Athens
  • Mike Rhoads, Vice President of Sales, TSG Resolute, Americus
Sean McMillan, GEDA AC20 Chair, has done a really good job of providing quality speakers in a difficult situation of switching from in-person to virtual programming.  Thank you to all of you who have registered for the calls and all of our sponsors, who have contributed greatly to the success of this new and different event!

GEDA/GDEcD News

Georgia International Trade Office Earns U.S. Small Business Administration Award, Launches New Export Assistance Grant

ATLANTA, October 5, 2020 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today proudly announced it has been awarded a grant of more than $162,000 from the U.S. Small Business Administration under the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) to bolster export assistance to small businesses. These funds will officially launch the International Trade division’s “Go Global Georgia” initiative to help small business exporters in the state stretch their international marketing budgets and develop global markets. Eligibility and application guidelines can be found at georgia.org/go-global-ga.

Small businesses make up nearly 90% of Georgia exporters, and GDEcD’s International Trade team works to help these exporters through customized programs and services to reach new markets. Read more...


CRE Consulting Corps - Free Consulting Service

Bring strategic real estate guidance to your community or local nonprofit: The Counselors of Real Estate’s CRE® Consulting Corps provides objective strategic assistance to help communities and non-profit organizations solve complex real estate challenges. The advisory services are provided by members of The Counselors of Real Estate, an invitation-only membership group comprised of individuals recognized for their highest level of expertise and achievement in the field. Counselors volunteer their time and expertise, so fees are well-below market rate.

Past projects include: advising municipalities and redevelopment agencies on how to generate jobs by reusing former hospitals and shopping centers; assisting schools, colleges, and universities with facilities and growth planning; and assisting churches and affordable housing providers to assess and make best use of their real estate holdings.

You can leverage this trusted resource to benefit your community. Introduce the CRE® Consulting Corps to your marketplace. For more information or to suggest a project, contact Samantha DeKoven (sdekoven@cre.org or 312-329-8431) or visit the CRE Website.
Sign up for the Georgia Safety Promise!  GEDA has and you can, too.  Click here to get additional information and also read the press release below.



GEDA Compensation & Benefits Survey

GEDA conducted a compensation and benefits survey of its members, primarily with members of development authorities, chambers of commerce, cities and counties in late 2019 and concluded it in early 2020.  One hundred and twenty-six individuals completed the surveys out of the 255 that were distributed.  The results of this survey were distributed free of charge to participants in the survey earlier this year.  It has some good data on salaries for a number of positions and extensive benefit information.  An infographic, which highlights some of the summary responses, can be viewed by clicking here.  The survey is now being made available to members for the low price of $125.  If you have any questions, please contact Kevin Shea, President, GEDA.

Chair's Column

Rest, Relaxation and Participation

Just returned from a very enjoyable family vacation at the beach, and it was very nice and enjoyable, as well as much-needed time off.  I hope that you and your loved ones have been able to get away and recharge your batteries.  The weather has finally turned cool, so we are now into the fall, and I am loving it! 

Typically, at this time of year, we would have finished our Annual Conference in Savannah.  Unfortunately, due to COVID, we weren’t able to gather in-person this year.  However, Sean McMillan, GEDA Annual Conference Chair, has put together a great program of several calls for our members to join.  There is still one more call to be held on Thursday, October 8th at 12:30 PM, featuring our Governor and several Georgia business leaders to share how they have fared during the pandemic.  Then, Charley Moseley, GEDA Business Recruitment Chair, along with Sean McMillan, has invited Christopher Lloyd, Senior Vice President & Director, Infrastructure & Economic Development, McGuireWoods Consulting LLC, to be with us for our virtual October meeting on Monday, October 19th at 11:00 AM.  Make plans to join us.
Read More

GEDA Member News
 Al Nash, Chief Executive Officer, Development Authority of Fulton County, announced his retirement.  Al will remain in his role through the selection process and transition to a new leader.  Read more…


Barton Lowrey is the newest Project Manager in Global Commerce on the Corporate Solutions and Cyber Security Team.  Barton was previously Development Director with the Atlanta Area Council, Boy Scouts of America.
 

GEDA Elects New Officers/Board Members

At the GEDA 2020 Virtual Annual Business Meeting, held via a Zoom-call on Monday, September 28th at 10:00 AM, the GEDA membership elected new officers and board members for the 2021 calendar year. 

Chair: Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director, Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority
 


First Vice-Chair: Sean McMillan, Director of the University of Georgia’s Atlanta Office of Economic Development
 


Second Vice-Chair: Benjy Thompson, JD, CEO, Development Authority of Bulloch County
 


SECRETARY-TREASURER: Dorie Bacon, CEcD, Executive Director, Screven County Development Authority
 



New Board Members:

JR Charles, Vice President of Economic Development, Carroll
Tomorrow


 
 Justin Farquhar, Director: Business Recruitment & Existing
Industry, Development Authority of Bryan County
 


 Christie Gribble, Executive Director, Fannin County
Development Authority
 


 Cal Wray, EDFP, President, Augusta Economic Development
Authority
 


 Maceo Rogers, CEcD, Director of Economic Development, City
of East Point, elected to fill the remaining, one-year term of
Dorie Bacon
 

 

Project Announcements
** Names highlighted in green below are GEDA members with hyperlinks to their email addresses.**

Agile Cold Storage to Locate in North Georgia; New Cartersville, Gainesville Facilities to Support Georgia Poultry Industry

October 1, 2020 – Governor Brian Kemp announced that Agile Cold Storage will invest over $60 million in the construction of two new facilities in North Georgia to support the state’s poultry industry. The company’s new semi-automated freezer buildings will be located in Bartow and Hall counties and create approximately 170 jobs between the Cartersville and Gainesville facilities.
 
Congratulations to the following team, who worked collaboratively on these projects: Hank Evans, Director of Logistics, Energy, and Agribusiness Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Melinda Lemmon, Executive Director, and Chris Thomas, Project Manager, Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic Development; Tim Evans, Vice President – Economic Development, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce; and Bradley Harris, Manager, Economic Development, Georgia EMC!  Read more…

Radial, Inc. to Invest $40 Million in E-Commerce Fulfillment Center in Locust Grove, Henry Co., Create 344 Jobs

September 30, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that international e-commerce company Radial, Inc. will invest $40 million in opening a new fulfillment center in Locust Grove, Georgia, creating 344 full-time job opportunities and more than 1,000 seasonal opportunities in Southeast metro Atlanta.

Kudos to FJ (Josh) Fenn, Executive Director, and Jamal Lewis, Project Manager, Business Development, Henry County Development Authority; Taylor Kielty, Project Manager, Corporate Solutions and Cyber Security Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Rodger Brown, Director of Strategic Communications, Georgia Quick Start, and Charles Stallworth, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; the team members who worked together on this project!  Read more…

Kemp Welcomes Chemours to Wayne County as $86 Million Investment Creates 78 New Jobs

September 22, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp officially welcomed Chemours Titanium Technologies Minerals Operations as the company expanded its footprint in the state to Jesup, Georgia. Chemours has invested $86 million in the Wayne County project, which will create 78 jobs in the community.
 
Way to go, Dell Keith, Executive Director, Wayne County Industrial Development Authority, and his team for their efforts on this project!  Chemours also owns mining operations and offices in Pierce, Brantley, and Charlton counties. Other Southern Ionics Minerals facilities include a mineral sand processing plant adjacent to the Offerman offices in Pierce County, mining offices in Brantley County, and the Mission Mine located in both Charlton and Brantley Counties.  Read more…

Sports Beverage Company BANG ENERGY to Open First Southeastern Manufacturing and Distribution Facility in Lithia Springs

September 18, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that energy and sports beverage company BANG ENERGY will invest $145 million in opening its first Southeastern manufacturing and distribution facility in Douglasville, delivering 600 new jobs to the community, which includes Lithia Springs. 
 
Best to Chris Pumphrey, Executive Director, Development Authority of Douglas County; Alex Jones, Project Manager, Logistics, Energy, Agribusiness & Food Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Rebecca Jordan, Senior Project Manager, Metro Atlanta Chamber; and Charlie Moseley, Business Recruitment Director, Georgia Power; the team that worked to get to this announcement!  Read more…

Papa John’s Selects Metro Atlanta as Location of a New Global Headquarters

September 17, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that internationally known pizza delivery and carry-out company Papa John’s has selected metro Atlanta to open a new global headquarters in 2021, delivering 200 jobs to the area. 
 
A shout out to the team members, who worked this corporate relocation project: Kristi Brigman, Director, Corporate Solutions & Cyber Security Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Gregg Simon, Senior Vice President, Project and Partner Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber; and Brenda Robbins, Business Development Director, Georgia Power!  Read more…

Facebook Expanding Stanton Springs Data Center

$1 billion investment - three new buildings (1.5 million sq. ft.) creating 200 jobs
 
A shout out to members of the Joint Development Authority of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton Counties: David Dyer, Executive Director, Development Authority of Jasper County; Bob Hughes, President & Economic Development Director, Madison-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce;  Dave Bernd, Executive Director, and Serra Hall, Vice President of Project Development, Newton County Industrial Development Authority; and Shane Short, Executive Director, Development Authority of Walton County!  Read more…

General Mills Expands Covington Operations, Creates 40 New Jobs

September 8, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that leading global food company General Mills is expanding their Cinnamon Toast Crunch production operations in Covington, Georgia. Improved operations begin next week at the newly expanded facility.
 
Kudos to Dave Bernd, Executive Director, and Serra Hall, Vice President, Project Development, Newton County Industrial Development Authority; and Kristen Miller, Region 5 Senior Project Manager, Existing Industry And Regional Recruitment Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; who worked together on this project!  Read more…

Deluxe Selects Metro Atlanta for New FinTech Innovation Center and Offices, Will Create Over 700 Jobs

September 3, 2020 – Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Fortune 1000 company Deluxe will establish a new office complex along with a FinTech and Customer Innovation Center in the City of Sandy Springs in Fulton County. Deluxe will create 709 new jobs and invest more than $10 million in the metro Atlanta project.
 
Congratulations to the crew, who worked to announce this project, including Kristi Brigman, Director, Corporate Solutions and Cyber Security Team, Global Commerce Division, Georgia Department of Economic Development; Gregg Simon, Senior Vice President, Project and Partner Development, and Grant Wainscott, Vice President, Ecosystem Expansion, Metro Atlanta Chamber; Samir Abdullahi, Economic Development Manager, Select Fulton; Andrea Worthy, Economic Development Director, Sandy Springs Development Authority; and Brenda Robbins, Business Development Director, Georgia Power!  Read more…
Read all GDEcD Press Releases

Other Announcements

Gov. Kemp Reports 10,000+ Jobs Created During First Quarter of Fiscal Year

October 1, 2020 –Governor Brian P. Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), today announced that more than 10,000 jobs were created across all regions of the state by economic development projects in Georgia during the first quarter of fiscal year 2021, generating more than $3.71 billion in new investments.  Read more…
 

State’s International Trade Team Announces New Export Directory Connecting Georgia Suppliers to Global Buyers

September 14, 2020 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s International Trade division is officially announcing a new marketing tool created to provide virtual connections between international buyers and Georgia suppliers. The new Export Georgia, USA Directory provides Georgia businesses with the global connections they need to reach new markets and diversify their international customer base. The site (www.georgia.org/export) currently features more than 60 Georgia businesses.  Read more…
 

Job Creation Up In First Two Months of Fiscal Year

September 9, 2020 –Today Governor Brian P. Kemp announced new economic development job numbers showing that Georgia’s economic momentum is continuing to grow two months into the state’s new fiscal year. August data shows job creation from new Georgia projects has already reached one-third of the total jobs reported for fiscal year 2020, and investments are up 11% over July. Despite COVID-19, job creation is 1.5 times higher than the same two months last year.  Read more…
 

Department of Economic Development Thanks Companies Supplying Critical Items to Fight COVID-19 - Promotes new state measure encouraging PPE production

September 3, 2020 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development, alongside Governor Brian P. Kemp, again today thanked the numerous companies across the state who have stepped up to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) and health care supplies to fight COVID-19. They also reminded businesses of the new measures Governor Kemp recently signed into law that encourage additional PPE production in the state and aid businesses who have created jobs in recent years, but whose job numbers have been harmed during the pandemic.  Read more…

 

Committee & SIG News

Professional Development - Scholarship Grants 

This is almost the last chance to apply for scholarship grants from GEDA for 2020.  Scholarships can be used to attend the University of Georgia’s Certified Economic Developer courses, as well as ones sponsored by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).   They can also be used for the Penn Worden Grant and the International Missions Grant.  For additional information on the Professional Development scholarships, look on the GEDA website, or contact  Kevin Shea, President, GEDA at 404-962-4109.

Workforce Development Committee

Serra Hall & Heath Tippens, Chair and Vice Chair of the Workforce Development Committee respectively would like to hear from you. Unfortunately, our ideas for the Committee were derailed due to COVID-19, but we would like to ask you about your interest in engaging in workforce development moving forward.  Please take a moment to complete this survey, and let us know what you need.  
Get involved in GEDA's Committees and SIGs to learn about projects and meet fellow members - visit your profile on GEDA.org to join. 

Job Postings
SEP 24: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR - THE DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF LONG COUNTY

Position to be filled by: November 15, 2020 Location: Ludowici, Georgia Category: Development Authority Position Type: Full Time Education...

SEP 3: MANAGER, ESTABLISHED INDUSTRY - HENRY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Position to be filled by November 1, 2020 Location: McDonough, Georgia Category: Development Authority Position Time: Full Time Education...

SEP 3: PRESIDENT AND CEO - MURRAY COUNTY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Position to be filled by November 1, 2020 Location: Chatsworth, Georgia Category: Development Authority Position Type: Full Time Education...

Upcoming Events
October 8: UGA Development Authority Training - Advanced course - Athens

October 11-14: IEDC Annual Conference

October 19: GEDA October Virtual Meeting (details and registration coming soon)

See the full GEDA calendar of events here.

Sponsors

Champions Circle Sponsors

Winner's Circle Sponsors

2020 Luncheon Sponsors
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