17 Feb 2026
Courage and Hard Decisions in Retail and Commercial Development
Some of the most important decisions a community makes are also the hardest to explain in the moment. A while back, my colleagues and I started a book club and read Daring Greatly by Brené Brown. In the book, she reflects on one of my favorite quotes by Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Man In The Arena”…
26 Jan 2026
Downtowns Don’t Market Themselves: The Work Behind Great Main Streets
Great downtowns rarely happen by accident. They are the result of consistent, intentional work by local leaders, economic development professionals, business owners, and community partners who understand that their Main Street must be actively shaped, promoted, and cared for.
13 Nov 2025
Georgia Retail Update: Retailtainment, Amenity-Driven Properties, and Public/Private Partnerships
Our retail team participated in another successful ICSC Southeast event in Atlanta this past October! The event, held at the Georgia World Congress Center, included insight into the hurdles developers continue to face.
28 Aug 2025
Better Leaders, Better Communities: The Importance of Leadership & Training
- Leadership training strengthens local government by improving efficiency, responsiveness, and service delivery for both residents and businesses.
- Well-trained supervisors directly impact economic development by streamlining processes, supporting site readiness, and creating development-friendly environments.
- Investing in training builds a pipeline of strong leaders, ensuring continuity, stability, and a forward-thinking community that attracts business investment.
In local government, the role of supervisor extends far beyond managing daily operations or overseeing staff.
16 May 2025
Economic Development Week: The Power of Partnerships
So, #EconDevWeek has come to an end but it got us thinking… about the amazing work that economic development pros are doing in our Georgia Energy Cities. You know… the folks behind the scenes forging partnerships like the collaborations between utility companies, Development Authorities, schools, and local governments that have led to some incredible outcomes.