Albany CEO discussed economic development and the 2016 Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week with Justin Strickland, president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. 

Albany CEO: How many years has the ADEDC celebrated Industry Celebration Week?

Strickland: The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission (ADEDC) has for many years recognized existing industries through its awards. In 2010, the ADEDC restructured the awards and created Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week.

Albany CEO: What is the primary focus of Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week?

Strickland: Albany-Dougherty Industry Celebration Week serves to highlight existing industries in Albany-Dougherty County and recognize their achievements through awards in Global Commerce, Excellence in Innovation, Economic Impact, and Corporate Community Citizenship.

This year's events include a joint proclamation by Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard and Dougherty County Commission Chair Christopher Cohilas onMonday, April 11; a Business After Hours celebration on Tuesday, April 12; and the ADEDC Industry Awards Rise N Shine Breakfast on April 13.

Albany CEO: What is the economic impact of industry in Albany?

Strickland: Albany has a $5.5 billion economy, and existing industries play a critical role in sustaining and growing the economy. In most communities, 80 percent of new job creation is by existing industries. 

Albany CEO: When recruiting new industries to Albany-Dougherty County, what are the area’s strongest selling points?

Strickland: We always say that our people are our best asset, and while we believe that to be true, people aren't our only asset. Albany-Dougherty County is the commercial hub of Southwest Georgia, attracting buying power and work force from throughout the region. 

We’re conveniently situated with easy access to major highways and interstates, and are home to Southwest Georgia Regional Airport, Georgia’s second largest cargo airport by volume. Work force development opportunities abound, from quality primary and secondary schools, to the newly created Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy, to our four colleges and universities. Albany-Dougherty County “gets it” when it comes to economic development, and we, as a community, are constantly working together to make our business climate as conducive as possible for recruitment and expansion of industry.   

Albany CEO: What have been a couple of this past year’s highlights in recruitment of new industries and expansion of existing industries? 

Strickland: We’ve been pleased to announce several location and expansion projects in 2015, collectively totaling $225 million in investment and 345 new jobs. These projects include a new product line at Mars Chocolate North America, where goodnessknows snack squares are produced exclusively in Albany; a new production line at Thrush Aircraft; a biomass plant at Procter & Gamble; and WebstaurantStores' new internet fulfillment and Southeastern distribution center.

Albany CEO: How does the ADEDC partner with other agencies to attract and retain new industries? 

Strickland: In Albany-Dougherty County, we believe that by working together, we can achieve so much more. For this reason, the ADEDC is focused on developing strategic partnerships throughout the community that will cultivate effective and efficient economic growth on all fronts.

These partnerships exist between industries, united by the Albany-Dougherty Industry Roundtable, an effort facilitated by the ADEDC through which existing industries focus on work force development, discuss experiences and share best practices; the business community and educational institutions through the education collaborative, as well as through the Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy board, which allows the leadership of the ADEDC and Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, along with industry and small business representatives, to work directly with the Dougherty County School System and our four colleges and universities to meet the specific needs of our employers; and among governmental organizations, with which the ADEDC works closely to create a business-friendly environment for our new and expanding industries.

Albany CEO: With the strong higher-education structure in Albany-Dougherty County how do these institutions play a key role in work force development and recruiting or retaining new industries?

Strickland: Albany-Dougherty County is home to four-year institutions, a technical college, and coming soon, a college and career academy. These institutions provide ample opportunity for work force development and allow the community to react quickly and efficiently to the needs of industries. The ADEDC works closely with all of these entities, as well as the Dougherty County School System, to ensure that programs are relevant to the needs of the current market, and with industries to ensure that students have an opportunity to pursue local job placement upon graduation. 

Albany CEO: What lies ahead for Albany-Dougherty County in the next few years? 

Strickland: We are looking forward to the development of downtown Albany through the installment of a craft brewery, which will be the first of its kind in the region. The project will have two components: 1) crops used for production will be grown and harvested locally in Dougherty County and Southwest Georgia, and 2) these locally-grown crops will be transported to downtown Albany for the production of craft beverages, with the new brewery hosting a tasting room and tourism asset. The development of the project has been a collaborative effort incorporating the ADEDC, the city of Albany and Dougherty County. 

We’re also excited to see the growth within the community associated with a consolidated university presence, new job-training programs that will come as a result of industry guidance in the process, and the possibility of a higher education facility in downtown Albany.

For more information, visit the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission at http://choosealbany.com/