The Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority will host a regional networking meeting on Thursday, April 15, 2021.
The meeting will begin at 6:00PM, at Sundown Farms Plantation located at 894 Mack Dekle Road, Moultrie, GA 31768. Should you need additional information, please contact Barbara Grogan at (229) 921-1457, or via email at bgrogan@selectmoultrie.com.
The Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority will host committee meetings per the following dates, times and locations. Should you need additional information, please contact Barbara Grogan at (229) 921-1457, or via email at bgrogan@selectmoultrie.com.
Business and Site Retention and Expansion Committee
Thursday, February 18, 2021 – 6:00PM
Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority
116 First Avenue SE | Moultrie, GA 31776
Strategic Planning Committee
Tuesday, February 23, 2021 – 6:00PM
The Soda Fountain
640 North Veterans Parkway | Moultrie, GA 31768
For the Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority (MCCDA), 2020 marked a time for gathering insight and making plans for the future growth of Colquitt County. Eight community growth initiatives highlighted needs on topics ranging from workforce development and transportation, to education and branding.
“By answering tough questions about what might be holding Colquitt County back, we can build a data-driven plan for moving forward.”
“The nature of this past year allowed the Development Authority time to really analyze the needs of our county on many levels. By answering tough questions about what might be holding Colquitt County back, we can build a data-driven plan for moving forward,” says Barbara Grogan, MCCDA president.
In early 2020, the Development Authority partnered with the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government (CVIOG) to conduct a housing and buying power survey. Major findings of the survey demonstrated a desire for more retail and dining establishments, as well as a need for more rental housing options. Survey results provide developers with valuable insight into the needs and wants of the local community.
“We are seeing an uptick in the data requests from housing developers and franchise restaurant developers,” says Grogan. “Being able to respond with up-to-date and credible data helps us match developers with opportunities.”
In another partnership with CVIOG, the MCCDA embarked on a community branding project designed to unite local municipalities and organizations while also telling the story of Colquitt County to visitors, developers, and future residents. After gathering feedback from citizens in a series of brainstorming sessions, one-on-one interviews, and an online survey, the CVIOG team is scheduled to present an initial brand concept next month. Once approved, the Development Authority has plans to release a series of industry recruitment videos and print collateral in the style of the new brand to help attract business and industry.
In April, the MCCDA received a $60,000 grant from the US Economic Development Administration which allowed the Joint Development Authority (JDA), a regional partnership of Brooks, Colquitt, Grady, Mitchell and Thomas counties, to launch a regional workforce pipeline survey. The project focused on industry and community engagement with cross participation among the K-12 and post-secondary institutions serving the region. Over 70 businesses in Colquitt County responded with detailed data. Preliminary findings of the project revealed current workforce trends and future skills needed to ensure our region continues to grow and thrive. The full report will be available in February.
Despite the overlay of the COVID-19 pandemic, which coincided with much of the collection period for the 2020 Census, the Development Authority joined many other local agencies in an effort to encourage census completion.
“We certainly want to do everything can to make sure Colquitt County gets our share of those economic development dollars.”
“For the next 10 years, the federal government will rely on the collected data to help guide distribution of approximately $1.5 trillion annually,” says Grogan. “We certainly want to do everything can to make sure Colquitt County gets our share of those economic development dollars.”
Industrial park enhancements also took a front seat in 2020 when the Development Authority Board approved upgrades to the Moultrie Regional Park (home to Sunbelt Ag Expo, Maule Air, Southern Powder Coating, Georgia Linens, and others) main entrance and directional signage, as well as landscaping improvements there and at Citizens Business Park (site of Sanderson Farms and two additional parcels for sale) off Highway 133. These enhancements began last year and will be completed by summer 2021.
Mid-year, focus shifted to education when Colquitt County Schools Superintendent Doug Howell announced his upcoming retirement. The Development Authority, in partnership with the Colquitt County School Board, engaged the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation’s community development division in a robust parent perspectives project. Data from a combination of surveys, interviews, and a series of public listening sessions reinforced the community’s prioritization of education and resulted in a multi-faceted plan to keep parents involved in the direction of local education.
Complimenting these discussions, the Colquitt County Educational Foundation (CCEF) was formed with support from the Development Authority and community leaders across many sectors. The Foundation aims to create a brighter future for Colquitt County, with the first initiative being an elementary literacy mentoring program. The Foundation is currently accepting applications for two key staff positions, as well as recruiting volunteers and donors. More information can be found at BrighterColquitt.org.
Looking toward the year ahead, and with the first phase of the Development Authority’s strategic planning completed by ACCG in December, Grogan says “We have some exciting projects in store for 2021, and the solid local participation in our efforts last year really helps us focus on the priorities ahead.” The full strategic plan will be presented mid-2021, and the Development Authority Board is already seeing many of the outcomes from last year’s initiatives already showing a strong correlation with the first phase of the plan.
“We’re on the right track… we’re just thankful to be a part of the efforts that are pushing our great county forward.”
“It means we’re on the right track,” says Grogan. “All in all, we’re just thankful to be a part of the efforts that are pushing our great county forward.”
There will be a called meeting of the Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority, per the Zoom online communication links below, on Thursday, January 14, 2021. The meeting will be held at 3:00 pm. The meeting is for organizational purposes. For any questions, please contact Barbara Grogan, President, at (229) 921-1457, or via email at bgrogan@selectmoultrie.com
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There will be a called meeting of the Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 at 4:00 pm to discuss a property matter. The meeting will be held at the Development Authority offices, located at 116 First Avenue SE, Moultrie, GA 31776. The meeting may be joined in person, or via Zoom per the information listed below.
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Meeting ID: 856 0646 0412
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In response to the findings of the Colquitt County Schools Parent Perspectives Project coordinated by the Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority, Superintendent Community Input Sessions were held to gather insights from community members. The sessions focused on thoughts, ideas, and perspectives of the participants as they relate to selecting the next superintendent of Colquitt County Schools.
The Parent Project listed a recommendation of including the community in the selection process of the next superintendent of Colquitt County Schools. With the agreement of the Colquitt County Board of Education, the Authority proceeded with hosting the sessions on November 30 and December 1, 2020.
The Superintendent Community Input Sessions began with the first goal of providing a venue for parents and caregivers, business and industry leaders, and teachers and administrators to provide input regarding the selection process and desirable components of the next superintendent. The second goal is to share the information with Colquitt County Schools’ Board of Education members, providing them with specific ideas and desires, based upon participant feedback, to be considered in the interview and selection process for the next superintendent.
In summary, the top Preferred Qualifications as listed in the Superintendent Search Announcement are listed below as ranked by the participants:
The Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority is hosting community input sessions to offer feedback in the Colquitt County School System’s current Superintendent search. All sessions will be held at the Colquitt County Board of Education Board Room, located at 1800 Park Avenue in Moultrie. Each discussion will be geared toward a specific audience; however, interested citizens are welcome to attend any session.
In order to adhere to CDC guidelines for COVID-19, registration is required to attend. Email info@selectmoultrie.com or call (229) 985-2131 to reserve your seat.
Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority President, Barbara Grogan, and Board Chair, Jim Matney, are pleased to announce the recent hire of Jenny Dell as part-time Economic Development Project Manager. Dell joined the team on October 6 and has already been closely involved with the Development Authority’s 13 public input sessions for the Branding Colquitt County project, led in partnership with the UGA Carl Vinson Institute for Government and UGA’s Colquitt County Archway Partnership.
Dell brings 18 years of experience in marketing, public relations, design, and fundraising, and was most recently the Director of Institutional Advancement for the Southern Regional Technical College (SRTC) Foundation. “My time at SRTC definitely widened my perspective on the importance of regional economic development strategies and workforce training,” says Dell. “Our area has so much to offer for businesses, industries, and the families who call Southwest Georgia home. I’m looking forward to putting my experience into action for the future of Colquitt County.”
Dell will serve as the Development Authority’s primary marketing contact, as well as manage special projects and grants. She can be reached at jdell@selectmoultrie.com.
Just as the golden arches tell the story of Ray Crock and his rise to fast-food success with McDonald’s, so too can a well-designed and widely-recognized brand tell the story of a community. This week, Colquitt county citizens are kicking off a branding design project led by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and the University of Georgia Archway Partnership.
“It’s essential for members of the community to be involved in the design process,” explains Barbara Grogan, president of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority. “Who better to tell the story of a community than citizens themselves?”
Thirteen public input sessions are taking place across the county on October 12-14. All gatherings will follow CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. In addition, public feedback can be provided through an online survey, available in both English and Spanish.
The new design elements will help drive opportunities to Colquitt county.
“Business and industry seeking relocation to South Georgia need a snapshot of what we have to offer, and a cohesive brand can actually tell someone a lot about a place,” says Jenny Dell, economic development project manager with the development authority.
Colquitt county is the third branding project the Carl Vinson Institute has worked on since launching its community branding initiative in 2018, following Hawkinsville-Pulaski county and Washington county. The goal of revealing the new brand identity – from logo and color palette, to typography and messaging – is set for early summer 2021.
To attend a public input session or provide feedback online, visit brandcolquittco.com.
The Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority, in partnership with the Colquitt County Board of Commissioners and local municipalities, has spent the last several months creating a roadmap for growth and economic development in Colquitt County over the next 10 years.