Three in Dougherty County complete government training

ATHENS — Three members of the Dougherty County Development Authority — Winfred Benson, Robert McKinney and J.C. Odom Jr. — recently completed development authority training provided by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government.

The training is for leaders who have been appointed or reappointed to an authority.

Officials with the institute said 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 economic development process. Topics discussed included development authority operations, financing incentives and bonds.

In addition, participants learned about strategic planning in community development, project development and management, and emerging issues that affect development authorities.

“Development authorities are a key resource in every community’s economic development tool kit, and our training provides board members with vital knowledge to help them implement successful development plans,” said course instructor Jennifer Nelson, who coordinates the institute’s training programs for development authority board members, economic development professionals and elected officials.

In addition to basic training, the Institute of Government offers a certification program for Georgia economic developers. The Georgia Certified Economic Developer program was created in partnership with the Georgia Economic Developers Association and features a customized curriculum that focuses on key competency areas.

Courses are taught in central locations around the state with rolling course schedules that allow participants to complete certification in as little as three years, officials with the institute said.

“These programs strengthen community leaders’ practical knowledge for implementing effective economic development projects. The better they understand their roles, the more impact they can have on their community’s growth and development,” said Institute of Government Director Laura Meadows.

To learn more about development authority training, visit www.cviog.uga.edu/dat. For more information about the Georgia Certified Economic Developer program, see www.cviog.uga.edu/gced.