Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner Greg Dozier has appointed DeAnnia Clements as the third President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College after serving more than six months as the college’s Interim President. Commissioner Dozier’s recommendation to appoint Clements as the new President was approved today in Savannah by the State Board of the Technical College System of Georgia.

“We are excited for the Wiregrass Georgia Technical College community as DeAnnia begins her role as the college’s next president,” said TCSG Commissioner, Greg Dozier. “DeAnnia has an impressive background at TCSG and the leadership experience in technical education to lead Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. I know she will do a great job continuing to focus on student needs and developing a skilled workforce for business and industry in the region.” READ MORE
The South Georgia Chapter of Public Relations Society of American (PRSA) welcomes Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of Stuckey’s, the nostalgic family roadside stop that became synonymous with its famous “Pecan Log Rolls.” Stuckey will share her journey to revive the family business and revitalize family road trips that explore backroads and small-town America.
 
The business community is invited to attend the luncheon and presentation from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, December 2, 2021, at the University Center on the campus of Valdosta State University. 
 
Seating is limited, and advance tickets are required and can be purchased online at Eventbrite. The cost is $25 per person.
 
The luncheon is sponsored by Valdosta State University, PCOM South Georgia, Georgia CEO, and South Georgia Business Magazine. For more information, email southgeorgiaprsa@gmail.com
The Annette Howell Turner Center for the Arts has been awarded a Cultural Facilities Grant by the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

The GCA received 39 Cultural Facilities Grant applications from arts organizations and municipal arts facilities across the state. The Turner Center was one of only 10 entities in nine counties statewide that received a grant through the 2022 program.

The Turner Center will use the grant to fund a nearly $55,000 construction project for the Glass Art Studio, located at 506 N. Ashley Street. The Glass Art Program, one of the Center’s newest program offerings, will include glassblowing, stained glass, fused glass, and glass beads instruction for youth and adults through weekly and monthly classes, which begin on Nov. 16. The art of glassblowing is not available within a 2-to-3 hour drive; and, it is difficult to practice locally unless one has the equipment, experience, and a safe location in which to practice the art. The Glass Art Studio meets the needs and interests of people in our community. READ MORE
Valdosta-Lowndes County Welcomed Georgia Department of Economic Development
On Nov. 3-4, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority hosted the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Board of Directors meeting. The two-day event provided an opportunity to showcase the community’s economic programs and initiatives.
GDEcD members received an overview of Valdosta-Lowndes County’s recent industry announcements, including 415 new jobs more than $123 million in capital investments during 2020-2021; an existing industry report from Arglass Yamamura, an overview of a workforce partnership with Ace Electric, Wiregrass Georgia Technical College, and Lowndes High School; and academic highlights from Valdosta State University.

The group also toured Downtown Valdosta and heard presentations from Valdosta City Mayor Scott James Matheson and Valdosta City Manager Mark Barber announced that in 2020 and 2021, Downtown Valdosta welcomed 15 businesses, creating 69 new jobs. In addition, the Downtown Valdosta team hosted 773 events in 2020 and 450 within the first six months of this year, placing them on track to surpass last year’s numbers.
Jason Dunn and Rachel Barnwell
Recognized by GEDA
Jason Dunn, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Development Authority
Rachel Barnwell, Development Authority of Bulloch County
Georgia Economic Development Association (GEDA) recognized and honored Jason Dunn, GEDA chair of the professional development committee, and executive director, Fitzgerald-Ben Hill County Development Authority for outstanding performance for work as a committee chair. Rachel Barnwell, manager of economic development programs for the Development Authority of Bulloch County, was recognized for her efforts as a member of this year’s 2021 GEDA annual conference committee. 
The GEDA Deal of the Year Award for the small-size category was awarded to Bacon County Development Authority for the La Regina Atlantica project, which was announced in 2020. La Regina Atlantica, is a U.S. subsidiary of Italian producer of homemade pasta sauces La Regina di Dan Marzano is investing $20 million in a new food processing facility in Alma, Bacon County, Georgia. 

Camden County Joint Development Authority was recognized in the mid-size category for Plug Power and Dalton-Whitfield County Joint Development Authority in the large-size category for GEDIA Georgia.

Each community was recognized for outstanding achievement in the location or expansion of new businesses in the state of Georgia that meet community economic development goals and involve significant community program support, such as financial or permitting assistance, workforce development, and state financial support.
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