The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission held its annual shareholders meeting, followed by its quarterly board meeting during which staff presented comprehensive updates and board members representing the ADEDC’s partner entities – the City of Albany, Dougherty County and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce – elected Cynthia George as 2019-2020 ADEDC chair and approved a new contract for President Justin Strickland.

George succeeds Jay Smith, area manager at Georgia Power, as the organization’s chair. Smith has represented the Chamber on the ADEDC board since 2007, having served 8.5 years as chair.

“In my more than eight years as chair, I’ve been honored to support the recruitment, retention, expansion, and marketing efforts of the ADEDC. Also, I am very proud of the recent announcements of impactful projects like Georgia-Pacific Lumber and WebstaurantStore, as well as expansions at many of our existing industries,” said Smith. “I look forward to continuing to serve on the ADEDC as a board member.”

George, CEO of Horizons Community Solutions, has previously served on the ADEDC board through her capacity as 2013 chair of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce.

“I’m thrilled to support the efforts of the ADEDC as the organization’s incoming chair,” said George. “This is an exciting time for growth and development in Albany-Dougherty County, especially through the EDC’s new strategic planning venture. I’m honored by the opportunity to help spur business investment and job creation in our community during my time as chair.”

In addition to the change in chairs of the organization, a new contract was approved for ADEDC President Justin Strickland, who has served in that capacity since 2014.

In the last five years, Strickland has worked to facilitate announcements of new industries including the location of Georgia-Pacific Lumber, WebstaurantStore, and Pretoria Fields Collective brewery, along with expansions at existing industries such as Coats & Clark, Procter & Gamble and Mars, collectively totaling to more than 1,000 new and retained jobs and more than $400,000,00 in investment.

During his tenure as president, the ADEDC has produced award-winning marketing campaigns “There’s Only One Albany, Georgia,” a 2014 community rebranding initiative, and “#MadeInAlbanyGA,” the ongoing industry and workforce marketing campaign promoting world renowned, locally made products.