Sybil Thomas recently completed Development Authority Training provided by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government for local leaders who have been appointed or reappointed to an authority.
 
Thomas is a member of the Dougherty County Development Authority.
 
Participants in the daylong basic training course learn about their responsibilities as members of development authority boards and the role that development authorities serve in the local economic development process. Topics include development authority operations, financing and incentives, and bonds.
 
In addition, participants learn about strategic planning in community development, project development and management, and emerging issues that affect development authorities.
 
“Development authorities are a key resource in every community’s economic development toolkit, and our training provides board members with vital knowledge to help them implement successful development plans,” said course instructor Jennifer Nelson, who coordinates the Institute’s training programs for development authority board members, economic development professionals and elected officials.
 
In addition to basic training, the Institute of Government now offers a certification program for Georgia economic developers, the first of its kind in the state. The Georgia Certified Economic Developer program was created in partnership with the Georgia Economic Developers Association and features a customized curriculum that focuses on five key competency areas. Courses are taught in central locations around the state with rolling course schedules that allow participants to complete certification in as little as three years.
 
According to Institute of Government Interim Director Stacy Jones, “These programs strengthen community leaders’ practical knowledge for implementing effective economic development projects. The better they understand their roles, the more impact they can have on their community’s growth and development.”