Duane Dodson says GA Power Promotes Industrial Development
Thursday, November 4th, 2010
The community and economic development team within Georgia Power Company has 185 active projects statewide that represent companies who are considering expansions or moves in the state of Georgia. Through the third quarter of 2010, Georgia Power has been involved with the location or expansion of 69 companies in Georgia, according to Duane Dodson, community and economic development manager for the South Region, which encompasses 36 counties in South Georgia, including Dougherty County.
“Many companies are hesitant to make commitments now given the economic downturn,” Dodson said. “It’s important to continue to be aggressive even when times are tough and Georgia Power is committed to support the state as well as economic development teams in each community.”
A history of helping communities
According to Dodson, Georgia Power first started its economic development activities in 1927 and its tradition of helping communities continues today. As the largest power provider in Georgia, the company believes it has a responsibility to help the state grow responsibly and to be a “Citizen Wherever We Serve.”
“We help communities with economic development by focusing on manufacturing, back office, telecommunications and headquarter locations as these tend to bring higher paying jobs, which then lead to more commercial and residential development,” Dodson explained.
The company offers a variety of resources for companies that are evaluating a move in or out of Georgia or considering an expansion. Examples of these resources include:
• www.SelectGeorgia.net, a website launched in 2008, provides a selection system and a database of available sites, buildings and community information. Site selection professionals can use interactive mapping tools on aerial photography coverage of the entire state. Extensive information on demographics, taxes, incentives, wages and transportation infrastructure is also available.
• The state-of-the-art Georgia Resource Center offers a variety of tools including virtual three-dimensional building rendering capabilities and custom mapping tools. Dodson said, “We have an engineering staff at the Center that can take a company’s building information and render the building on a selected site for planning purposes.”
The Georgia Power community and economic development team can also provide strategic planning and leadership development, coordinate field visits, contact local and state officials and provide customized research. The company has been recognized by Site Selection magazine as one of the top utilities in the country for its community and economic development programs.
A perspective on southwestern Georgia
According to Dodson, much of the relocation and expansion activity in 2010 has centered on the metro-Atlanta area. He believes community leaders in Albany and other communities need to continue to promote a pro-business attitude in order to gain further industrial development opportunities.
“It’s a game of elimination so communities must think of new ways to set themselves apart,” Dodson said. “With the current economic situation, it may be tempting for local officials to put things on hold in terms of economic development, but this is the time when funding is most needed to support existing industries and attract new prospects.”
Georgia Power works hand in hand with state officials and other utilities to promote economic development in the state. Their role, according to Dodson, is to support community efforts, not to lead.
“Georgia Power wants to be a valued partner in every community and help promote sound growth strategies,” Dodson said. “That’s a part of our heritage and we’re very proud of it.”
More information on the economic development programs at Georgia Power is available at http://www.georgiapower.com/grc/home.asp or contact Duane Dodson at [email protected].
