The chamber's Al Hodge also honored at GEDA annual conference

 

Media release: The Georgia Economic Developers Association recognized the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce with the Deal of the Year Award for an "outstanding achievement in the location/expansion of business in Georgia."  At that same ceremony, Al Hodge, President & CEO of the Chamber, was awarded with the Rip Wiley Award for Professional Excellence. 

 

 The Deal of the Year Award for medium-sized communities recognized the Lowes Regional Distribution Center that will create 600 jobs and invest over $125 million in the community.  With starting pay well above the industry average, the project has an estimated economic impact of $52,000,000.  Community partnership between Floyd County, the City of Rome, the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce and others paved the way for successful development of the previously-optioned site

 

With more than 30 years of chamber of commerce/economic development experience, Hodge is being recognized for his professionalism, integrity, leadership, commitment and contributions to the profession and GEDA.  Hodge and his wife, Cheryl, were present at GEDA's annual conference in Savannah to receive the award. More than 350 economic developers from around the state attended the conference to discuss the future of economic development.

 

About the Deal of the Year Award

This is now the fifth year that GEDA has recognized the major projects from the previous year.  In what has become a major portion of the Annual Awards Ceremony – GEDA recognizes recipients in four categories:

• SMALL – a county with population 50,000 and under,
• MEDIUM – a county with population 50,001 – 100,000,
• LARGE – a county with population over 100,000,
• REGIONAL – any multi-county effort.
  

 

The Deal of the Year Awards recognize outstanding achievement in the location or expansion of new businesses in the state of Georgia that meet community economic development goals and involve significant community program support, such as financial or permitting assistance, workforce development, state financial support, etc.

 

The Wiley Award: H. W. "Rip" Wiley worked for the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism as Director of the Industry Division when he passed in October 1978. Wiley's primary objective was to locate industry in the rural communities of Georgia. He also strived to help local communities initiate development efforts in their particular community which would enable the recruitment and retention of industry. In striving to serve Georgia, he represented the state as a shining example of honor, leadership, integrity, dedication,

professionalism and hard work which impacted numerous persons in the industrial development field in Georgia. This award was established upon his death in 1978 to be presented to the person in economic development who best represents his spirit of excellence.