Douglasville Development Authority Approves Professional Services Contract

Submitted by City of Douglasville Development Authority

At a board meeting on (August 19, 2014) the City of Douglasville Development Authority unanimously approved a contract for professional services with Joan Young, former Development Authority Director for the Haralson County Development Authority and most recently Business Development Director for the State of Louisiana Department of Economic Development.

Ms. Young’s background includes working ten years with the Haralson County Development Authority and leading Haralson County’s renaissance from the textile-dominated economy to a diversified manufacturing and technology economy with extensive employment gains in manufacturing and technology jobs, retail/commercial, post-secondary education, and health care.

While in Louisiana, Young served as the Senior Economic Developer for the Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce representing all economic development projects in the City of Baton Rouge and East Baton Rouge Parish. As Director of Business Development for Louisiana Economic Development, Ms. Young’s responsibilities included project management, deal structuring and incentive negotiation for domestic and international projects as well as direct global marketing for new project recruitment. “Having someone with Ms. Young’s background, experience and overall dedication and tenacity for the field of economic development, is just what the Development Authority needs right now,” said Douglasville City Manager, Bill Osborne.

The agreement between Young and the City of Douglasville Development Authority focuses on analyzing the current program, while reviewing planning efforts and marketing initiatives of the Authority.

Young will also provide economic development support for Interim Development Authority Executive Director/Assistant City Manager, Marcia Hampton on current and future projects. “Economic Development for the City of Douglasville is a full-time job. In order to provide quality and professional services we need someone with the tools and resources to assist us with that and remain dedicated to it on a consistent basis; I believe Ms. Young will formulate a process for that to take place,” said Hampton.

Ms. Young began working immediately after adjournment of the meeting. Some of her tasks will include analyzing current budget and funding sources while making recommendations for sustainability, review of the current incentive strategy for prospects, and recommendations for outreach recruitment and networking. “I’m excited to return to the field of economic development; specifically in West Georgia. West Georgia is my home. Being a part of the growth and development of this area is a tremendous opportunity,” said Young.

“I believe this is a perfect opportunity for us to evaluate our program, strengthen our recruitment and retention efforts while establishing goals and objectives that meet the future needs of our community,” says Chairman Doug Dean.

Dean continued to say, “It has been some time since the City of Douglasville Development Authority evaluated its entire program. Bringing Ms. Young on board is the first step in this process”. Mayor Persons commented on the Authority’s actions by saying “The citizens of Douglasville deserve a premier place to live, work, play and raise a family. I have stated on several occasions my mission is to help in this process. A strong economic development program that focuses on the City of Douglasville’s current and future economic development needs is critical to Douglasville’s success and Ms. Young will help in reaching that goal.”