Bill Murphy recently completed advanced Development Authority Training provided by the University of Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government for local leaders and development professionals who want to enhance the skills they can provide for their community.

Murphy is a member of the Development Authority of Columbus, Ga.

Participants in the daylong advance training course learn about sustainable funding sources, study methods for creating local incentives and examine case studies on structuring a deal and local incentive packages to win a project. 

In addition, participants learn about how to effectively market their community and successfully close the deal.

“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 Jennifer Nelson, who coordinates the Institute’s training programs serving development authority board members, economic development professionals and elected officials.

The Institute of Government now offers a two-level Development Authority Training Program — Basic and Advanced. The Basic Training provides the statutorily mandated training required for all development authority board members, while the Advanced Training provides more in-depth instruction for authority members, elected officials and economic development professionals.

According to Institute of Government Director Laura Meadows, “Our new two-level development training program helps authority members, elected officials, chamber executives, and other professionals strengthen their economic development skills and maximize community opportunities.” 

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

The Carl Vinson Institute of Government is a Public Service and Outreach unit of the University of Georgia that provides customized assistance, applied research and professional development for government leaders and employees across Georgia and internationally.