Local leaders graduate from the Georgia Academy for Economic Development

Pictured are, from left, Dennis Chastain of Georgia Electric Membership Corporation, Allyson Martin of Georgia EMC, Rocker, Henry and John Perryman of Georgia Power. Photo Contributed)

The Board of the Georgia Academy of Economic Development recently announced the local graduates from the YEAR Region 7 Multi-Day Training Program.

Jenkins County graduates were commissioner Jerry Henry and Mayor of Millen King Rocker. Class participants represented a number of professional and non-professional economic development fields, including elected officials, public servants, business leaders, educators and social service providers from 11 counties in the CSRA.

The academy provided each of the graduates an opportunity to gain a unique understanding of the complexities of economic and community development on the local, regional and state levels.

Georgia EMC and Georgia Power provide facilitators for the program, and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs provides staff support to this important program. Financial support for the regional leadership training program is provided through the Leadership Infrastructure Investment Fund set up by the General Assembly.

The academy's multi-day program, taught five days over a four-month period, includes training in the basics of economic and community development, plus specialized segments on entrepreneur and small business support, tourism product development, downtown development, quality planning and other essentials for community success.

Local elected officials receive certification training credits through the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia and the Georgia Municipal Association for completion of this program, and the program is certified for 3.5 CEUs through the UGA Georgia Center for Continuing Education.