Development Authority Chairman Named Volunteer of the Year

CARTERSVILLE, GA -- Eric Strickland, chairman of the Development Authority of Cartersville-Bartow County, was named the 2016 Volunteer of the Year by the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

Under his leadership over the last four years, the Development Authority of Bartow County has been responsible for attracting over $2 billion in investment and the creation of thousands of jobs.

Working tirelessly for economic development efforts since 2001, Strickland is being recognized for his outstanding service to the citizens of Bartow County and the region.

Melinda Lemmon, executive director of the Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic Development, said Strickland's leadership has been key in many economic development milestones of Bartow County, including projects such as Georgia Power Plant Bowen, Vista Metals, Shaw Industries Group, LakePoint Sporting Community & Town Center, Highland 75 Corporate/Industrial Park and many others others.

Strickland's community service includes: serving as vice chair of the Development Authority of Bartow County since 2001 (acting chair for the last four years); chairman of the Bartow-Cartersville Second Joint Development Authority since 2011; Bartow-Pickens Joint Development Authority since 2013; class of 2008 Leadership Georgia graduate; former member of the Kingston Downtown Development Authority; and organizer and director of Century Bank of Georgia.

"Strickland’s position means many hours of volunteer work each week, but he says it’s his way of giving back to his community that has done so much for him and his family," the Georgia Economic Developers Association said in its news release.

More than 250 economic developers from around the state attended the November luncheon to honor Strickland and others.

Images via Cartersville-Bartow County Department of Economic Development