Andrea Schruijer and Meghan Duke both completed Development Authority Training provided by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government for local leaders who have been appointed or reappointed to an authority. 

Schruijer and Duke are members of the Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, which is based in Valdosta. 

Participants in the daylong training courses learn about their responsibilities as members of development authority boards and the role that development authorities serve in the local economic development process. Topics include legal issues, ethics, conflicts of interest and open records and open meetings requirements.

In addition, participants learn the basics of development authority operations, financing and incentives, and bonds. 

“Development authorities are a key tool in every county’s economic development process, and our training offers valuable resources for board members as they implement development plans,” said course instructor Rob Gordon, who coordinates the Institute of Government’s economic development efforts.

“These courses help authority members strengthen their practical knowledge about economic development projects,” said Institute of Government Director Laura Meadows. “The better they understand their roles, the more impact they can have on their community’s growth.” 

For more information about Development Authority Training, which the Institute of Government hosts several times a year at locations throughout the state, contact Gordon at [email protected] or visit vinsoninstitute.org /dat.