Athens-Clarke County Mayor Heidi Davison, Oconee County Chairman Melvin Davis, Task Force Chair Ed Perkins of Noramco, and Jim Sykes of Georgia Power announced the results of the Regional Economic Development Task Force on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at the University of Georgia’s Office for Information and Instructional Technology (OIIT).

After four months of meetings, studies, site visits and animated discussion, the task force recommended establishment of a regional economic development entity in the Oconee Athens-Clarke area and considers it critical to the long-term health of the region.

In January 2008, Davison and Davis appointed a group of community and business leaders to investigate the feasibility of combining forces for economic development in a regional effort. Davison and Davis issued the following purpose and work plan to the group:

Purpose of the Task Force: To evaluate the feasibility of initiating a regional economic development effort initially involving Oconee and Athens-Clarke counties (OAC).

Work Plan:

• Review the current economic activities of OAC to include efforts of the Economic
• Development Foundation, One Athens, both Chambers of Commerce and industrial development authorities;
• Examine the mission and structure of successful regional development organizations such as Hampton Roads, Virginia and Research Triangle, North Carolina to determine if a similar model would be appropriate for OAC efforts. Special attention should be given to the role of the private sector;
• Review the Oconee County National Community Development Services (NCDS) feasibility study to better understand potential funding for regional activities;
• Provide a recommendation concerning an OAC regional economic development approach. If such an approach is recommended, develop an organizational structure and a projected budget for annual operating costs, as well as a nationally and internationally-focused marketing and outreach program.

Regional economic development is a collaborative process that results in a steady stream of new or improved jobs to the region.  These jobs enrich its population, continuously raise the average wage rate, are sustainable, and maintain the regional environment and quality of life.

This conclusion mirrors recent reports from both counties which support regional economic development.  The Partners for a Prosperous Athens (PPA) report, a community-based document, recommends a regional economic development effort as a means of reducing poverty while the NCDS report, a private consultant’s report for Oconee County, indicates strong support for regional economic development, as well as strong fundraising potential among the private sector.

“Through our work, we found that regional economic development efforts between local governments and the private sector have had great success in Georgia and the southeast,” said Task Force Chairman Ed Perkins of Noramco.  "Athens-Clarke and Oconee Counties are two of the smallest land area counties in the state.  Both have incredible complimentary assets and are already viewed by most citizens and businesses as the same service area.  Due to these factors, a regional approach to economic development just makes sense.  Furthermore, by joining forces, the economies of scale will provide resources for an enhanced marketing effort for business recruitment and expansion, while providing a one-stop-shop for business contacts,” he added.  

The task force report identifies the five most critical elements in building a strong regional economic development entity.  These factors include:

1. Appoint an active, knowledgeable, and committed board, comprised of both public and private sector members.
2. Reach a clear consensus on the mission of the organization (what the region wants and does not want) based on a community-driven, grassroots process.
3. Hire results-oriented, world-class leadership knowledgeable of the region and skilled at relationship building, fundraising, and communication.
4. Develop a mutually supportive relationship with the state government and statewide developers, including keeping databases up-to-date and maintaining an aggressive public awareness program with economic development leaders in Atlanta.
5. Develop strong fundraising capability.

The task force report recommends a three phase implementation strategy.  Phase I will focus on the creation of a regional economic development organization.  Phase II is centered on product development.  Phase III combines the ideas of providing one entry point, including more counties in the area and dedicated funding.  More details on the implementation strategy are available in the Executive Summary of the report.

Task Force members are: Pat Allen, Director of Community Relations, University of Georgia; Asa Boynton, Owner and CEO, the Sentinel Group; Brian Brodrick, Partner, Jackson Spalding; Betty Brown-Williamson, Owner, Grandview Care Center & Gardenview Funeral Chapel; Paul Chambers, District Manager, AT&T; Sherrie Ford, Chairman & Executive Vice President for Culture, Power Partners, Inc.; Amrey Harden, President & CEO, Oconee State Bank; Laura Meadows, Associate Vice President for Economic Development, University of Georgia; Ed Perkins, President & CEO, Noramco, Inc.; Jim Sykes, Northeast Region Vice President, Georgia Power Co.; Flora Tydings, President, Athens Technical College; andChuck Williams, President & CEO, North Georgia Bank.  Ed Perkins served as Chair and Jim Sykes as Vice Chair of the task force. Staff support was provided by Laura Meadows and Sara Singleton of the University of Georgia. Rope Roberts of Georgia Power, Alan Reddish, Manager of Athens-Clarke County and Alan Theriault, Administrator of Oconee County also served as valuable support resources to the group.