Senoia Development Authority member Harry Ramos 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.
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 tool in every county’s economic development process, and our training offers valuable resources for board members as they implement development plans,” said course instructor Jennifer Nelson, who coordinates the Institute’s training programs serving development authority board members, economic development professionals and elected officials.
The Institute of Government now offers a two-level Development Authority Training Program — Basic and Advanced. The Basic Training provides the statutorily mandated training required for all development authority board members, while the Advanced Training provides more in-depth instruction on how to secure the resources and incentives needed to market your community and close the deal.
According to Institute of Government Director Laura Meadows, “These courses help authority members strengthen their practical knowledge about economic development projects. The better they understand their roles, the more impact they can have on their community’s growth and development.”
