The importance of the training of elected officials and community leaders has been at the heart of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development since its creation in 1993.
This year, academy facilitators brought the class to Gray, and community leaders took advantage of the opportunity to learn more about economic development and get credit hours.
The training took place at the new Gray/Jones County Business Development Office, located at 102 E. Clinton St. The new facility is in front of City Hall and now houses the offices of the Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Gray, Gray Downtown Development Authority, Jones County Development Authority and Keep Jones Beautiful.
The class had 28 students, including members of the Jones County Board of Commissioners, mayor and council for City of Gray, Gray Downtown Development Authority and Main Street Board of Directors, Development Authority of Jones County Board of Directors and Jones County/Gray Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Jones County Schools were represented by its interim Superintendent, college and career academy CFO and work-based learning coordinator.
The facilitators were Araina Reaves with Georgia EMC and Ryan Waldrep with Georgia Power. The class began at 8:30 a.m. and wrapped up about 2 p.m. The topics of community development, economic development and leadership development were discussed as was the importance of all three working together.
One of the takeaways was the fact that leadership development is the most underfunded in communities. It was also pointed out that, while 99 percent of businesses in the United States are considered small with 500 or less employees, 75 percent of those have 10 or fewer employees.
All communities seek that big industry, but 80 percent of job growth comes from existing businesses.
In a Facebook post about the class, Main Street Director Ashley Roberson thanked everyone who took the time to attend and make the event so meaningful.
“It was amazing to have all of these leaders in one room talking about our amazing community,” she said.
At the end of the day, attendees added to their knowledge of economic development, made some new friends and got to know their fellow leaders a little better.
Roberson gave a special thanks to Georgia Power, Georgia EMC and the Department of Community Affairs for coming to Gray for the session.
“Here’s to growing together and building a stronger future for our community.”
