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The Savannah Economic Development Authority kicked off its first meeting of the New Year Tuesday with a packed agenda that included a new slate of officers, the appointment of new board members and the debut of a new logo and tagline as well as a look back at 2013 and a look forward to 2014.
Outgoing chairman David Paddison turned the gavel over to new chairman Robert E. James, president of Carver State Bank and former vice chairman of SEDA. Stephen S. Green of Stephen Green Properties in Savannah and Morris Manning Martin Green Consulting Group of Atlanta, was named vice chairman. Cathy Hill, regional vice president for Georgia Power, will serve as secretary/treasurer.
Nina Gompels of NTG Enterprises, owner of five area McDonald’s, was named to the SEDA board, along with Monica Mastrianni of Greenline Architecture. Bill Hubbard, president of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, and Paddison, president of Seacrest Partners, were reappointed to five-year terms.
SEDA president Trip Tollison provided a wrap-up of the past year and presented the 2014 business plan and budget for approval.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
The top 10 highlights of 2013 included:
1. The facilitation of 1,353 job opportunities, creating $330 million in investment.
2. The creation of a $15 million-$30 million land development fund for qualified economic development projects, financed by the extension of the penny tax.
3. Enhancements for Technology Circle with the addition of Gulfstream University and Great Dane’s R & D campus.
4. Initialized SEDA’s aerospace/aviation corridor efforts with the announcement of Southern Aviation Parts and Services and LMI Aerospace expansion.
5. Adopted board resolutions and comprehensive incentive policies that can propel Savannah/Chatham County to be more competitive.
6. Assisted with the development of The Outlet Mall of Georgia.
7. SEDA affiliate World Trade Center Savannah conducted 14 regional education programs, hosted 15 international delegations, added two new subzones to its Foreign Trade Zone and exceeded revenue projections by 130 percent.
8. Identified 35 area start-up companies and introduced companies to venture capital and other investment capital partners.
9. Completed SEDA’s new logo/branding and marketing research project.
10. Ended 2013 with a $1.8 million surplus.
This year is shaping up to be even more productive, Tollison said, with targets of 18 expansions or announcements, 70 new projects in the pipeline, 42 client visits and a surplus of $1 million or more.
NEW LOGO UNVEILED
SEDA’s marketing committee unveiled the organization’s new logo and tagline.
Created by the Atlanta-based firm of Jackson Spalding, the propeller-like logo is designed to portray Savannah as a city on the move and complement the new tagline: Propelling business.
