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Polk County recognized as GRAD Select Site at 2021 GEDA Conference

September 22nd, 2021 – 11:00 AM

Staff Reports –

During the 2021 Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) Annual Conference in Savannah, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced new ‘GRAD Certified Select’ sites across the state.  Economic developers representing each newly recognized and newly renewed ‘GRAD Certified Select’ property were presented with a special certificate.

Among those sites recognized was the Development Authority of Polk County’s Cedartown North Business Park – Phase 3 in Cedartown.

(Pictured above) The Director of GDEcD’s Global Commerce division Ashley Varnum presented the GRAD certificate alongside Jason Chambless of Thomas & Hutton (who stood in for Chris Thomas of the Development Authority of Polk County).

Completing the GRAD certification program with GDEcD is a proactive way both community planners and landowners can help catalyze economic growth and industrial development in their regions. To qualify for GRAD status, available sites must meet the program’s due diligence standards, be reviewed by a third party, and earn the final approval of a board of advisors comprised of public and private sector economic development professionals. The ‘GRAD Certified Select’ status is an indication that a site has met or exceeded more rigorous certification requirements.

“Since starting this program, thousands of Georgia jobs have been created on GRAD Certified sites,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “I commend all of our communities across the state that has taken the initiative to go through the GRAD Certification process and for achieving the ‘Select’ status. Many thanks to each of them for their partnership and for their commitment to creating jobs for Georgians and spurring economic growth.”

“Amazon, Facebook, Starbucks, and Q CELLS are just a few of the companies in Georgia that have benefited from GRAD Certified properties,” said GDEcD Deputy Commissioner, Global Commerce Scott McMurray. “By earning ‘GRAD Certified Select’ status, our communities are not only telling companies they’re ready to work with them on their next big project, they’re showing them. We look forward to seeing the future jobs and companies that these development-ready sites will attract.”

*You can read more about the other Georgia sites selected by selected the link here:  https://www.georgia.org/press-release/georgia-ready-accelerated-development-grad-select-sites-recognized-2021-georgia