SCDA Wins Award From Magazine

A national magazine recognizes the Stephens County Development Authority with an award.

Site Selection magazine has named the Stephens County Development Authority with the Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development as one of the Top 10 Micropolitan Economic Development Agencies of 2015.

This award puts the SCDA in company with development authorities and similar organizations from around the nation.

Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin said they are honored to be recognized by the magazine.

“Site Selection is one of the premier economic development journals in the world,” said Martin. “We are extremely honored and this just makes us want to be more determined in our efforts to be successful moving forward for the fine citizens of Toccoa and Stephens County.”

Martin went on to say that this award would not be possible without the leadership of Development Authority board members Brian Akin, Chuck Wright, Dennis Bell, Evan Hellenga, and Clay Fisher.

“Without the leadership of those five individuals plus the support that we get from the city manager, the county administrator, the chamber president, we would not be here talking about this award today,” said Martin.

The magazine said it looks at a number of different factors in naming this award.

Magazine representatives said that objectively, they look at the total number of jobs and investment created, as well as the per capita investment and jobs created.

Then, the magazine said it also looks at subjective factors like unique ways economic development organizations are addressing critical issues in their communities.

Martin said this recognition demonstrates to consultants, project managers, and companies that Stephens County and Toccoa have a team in place to help meet their mutual goals.