Why Economic Development? Presentation to Fayette County Chamber of Commerce by Kevin Shea, President Georgia Economic Developers Association Thursday, July 29, 2015

 The creation and or sustaining of Jobs & Investment (wealth)  Improvement in Quality of Life Definitions

… “a process that influences growth and restructuring of an economy to enhance the economic well-being of a community.”

 High employment  Sustainable growth  Technology transfer  Entrepreneurship  Brownfields

 Business Retention and Expansion New Business Recruitment

 A Growing, Vibrant Community  Or NOT Which Do You Want?

 Industrial (mfg./dist.)  Film  Tourism  Entrepreneurship Types

 Land  Labor (Workforce)  Capital (Financing) Factors of Production

 Sites  Buildings Infrastructure

 Roads  Water & Sewer  Utilities  Communications

 What’s appropriate?  Best practices? Incentives…

 Pride in your community  Build relationships  Prospect visits  Confidentiality Best Practices

GEDA.org  Member registration/renewal  Committee information  Committee sign-up  Event registration  Job Center  Photo galleries  Acronyms page  GEDA Gazette newsletter  Library of documents  Other good “stuff”

Upcoming Events

Money! GEDA provides more grant money to members for professional development  GEDA Annual Conference & Spring Workshop  IEDC Events (Training sessions, Annual Conference, CEcD Exam)  Economic Development Institute  Georgia Tech Basic Economic Development Course (March 10-13, 2015)  Community Development Institute  International Trade Missions Contact: Saralyn Stafford, DCA, ;

Opportunities  Join GEDA!  Attend Meetings!!  Get involved!!!

What Did I Miss? The only stupid question is the one left unasked.