Contact:
Michelle Holbrook:
770.661.2768
ATLANTA, Dec. 4, 2009 — Charlie Gatlin, former Deputy Commissioner for Tourism and Marketing with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, stepped into a new role as Director of Economic and Community Development for the Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG) effective December 1, 2009. The appointment follows his retirement from the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).
Gatlin will be responsible for the management and implementation of ECG’s economic and community development efforts, which are marketed as Location Georgia, a Service of ECG.
“This role is about helping communities create jobs. It’s what I love,” explains Charlie Gatlin. “As to the economy, I am encouraged by what I have been hearing from companies the last few months. I am seeing signs that businesses are making plans again about their futures. We just need to maintain relationships; be in the best position possible with business prospects.”
“Charlie is a perfect match for our organization,” states Daryl Ingram, ECG Vice-President. “His 33 years of experience in the local, state and global arenas are extremely valuable to our economic and community development efforts. We are very excited to keep him on Georgia’s team.”
In addition to Location Georgia’s statewide marketing efforts, Gatlin will assist the individual 51 ECG communities to further their readiness for economic growth and new business opportunities.
Location Georgia has marketed the state of Georgia to new businesses since 1984, first under MEAG Power and now with ECG as of July 2009. Location Georgia is also a member of Georgia Allies, a public-private statewide partnership for marketing Georgia.
ECG offers a broad scope of professional services to communities that own and operate utility enterprises, including sales and marketing, engineering, business analysis, training, and economic development. ECG is based in Atlanta, Georgia with two satellite offices and training centers, in Newnan, Cairo and Adel, Georgia.
