The role of a local economic developer

Last week, I represented Early County and Blakely at the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) Conference in Downtown Savannah. Throughout the week, I networked with countless economic development professionals across the state.

Even though we all represent different places and have such diverse backgrounds – we are providing a “voice” with a similar message from our communities to provide a better quality of life for many more generations.

So what in the world does a local economic developer do anyway? The cookie-cutter answer is:

A local economic developer plays a crucial role in improving the economic well-being of a community by promoting sustainable growth, job creation and overall prosperity.

No matter how a Development Authority is structured – the role of the local economic developer is to always carry out the mission of providing that overall prosperity and connecting the dots through relationship building and partnership opportunities to get there. It’s true that the “path” may change or we may find ourselves pivoting along the way; however, the mission stays the same. We are in the “People Business” and here to provide a better quality of life for our entire community.

As I spoke with other economic developers at the GEDA Conference, I began making mental notes on the different responsibilities mentioned in conversations. Here are just a “ few” of the ones I remember specifically as they relate to successful local economic development: attracting and retaining businesses, community and stakeholder collaboration, workforce development, infrastructure development, promoting regional assets, managing incentives and funding, planning and policy development, research, tourism development and supporting entrepreneurship.

Economic developers wear many hats: part strategist, part marketer, part policy advocate and part community leader. It’s through all the responsibilities mentioned above that “move the needle” for positive community development to happen. This does not mean the economic developer does it alone – quite the opposite. It is about building up partnerships, working together and doing what is in the best interest of your community at the time to get it to where it needs to be for a thriving tomorrow.

Published in the Early County News on September 23, 2025.