From Staff Reports

AMERICUS — Barbara Grogan, executive director of the Sumter County Development Authority, has accepted a new position with the Moultrie Colquitt County Development Authority. The Sumter County Development Authority wishes Grogan much success as she begins her new endeavor and supports her as she returns to her home community to continue in the economic development profession. Grogan’s last day with the Authority will be April 26, and the Board of Directors will begin advertising for a new executive director to fill the vacancy in the coming days. The Board of Directors has selected Mike Donnelly and Teresa O’Bryant to focus on the activities of finding a new director.
During Grogan’s tenure, the economic base of the community has continued to see growth, through industrial expansion projects and resource and asset management. The Authority owns and managess Ted Baldwin Business and
Technology Park, which is home to Golden Gourmet, Reames Concrete Co., TCI Powder Coatings headquarters,
H2O Sports Manufacturing, and PharmaCentra and Concentra Solutions, data center-based businesses. When Grogan
joined the Authority, the economic downturn had impacted industry of Sumter County, and the Park was experiencing
vacancies and soon to depart businesses. Through strategic efforts with industry, Grogan lead the remodeling of a
42,000-sq. ft. data center, bringing the center to current industry standards and consolidating all contact center
jobs in the community into one facility, which could more than meet the demand and open other facilities for growth.
With the remodel and consolidation, the former Martin Marietta facility became available, and a job expansion and
remodel project began in partnership with TCI Powder Coatings, providing a multimillion-dollar rehabilitation of the
facility. Additionally, Grogan’s leadership on behalf of the Authority with private industry lead to the building of Golden
Gourmet and most recently Reames Concreate Co. in the park.
Across town in the J. Frank Myers Park, Grogan worked with Barksdale and Associates to reestablish Resolute of Tennessee in Americus, as well as expansion projects with TSG and Recreation Unlimited. During her tenure, two facilities in the Myers Park have been sold and returned as fully taxable to the tax base, which is the desired outcome of all Authority
projects. Through project leadership by Grogan, over $25 million has been leveraged for growth in the community, and
the number of jobs and average weekly wages have continued to see positive growth trends. Grogan is currently
managing two projects, with intentions of Authority announcements during 2019. During 2017 and 2018, the Authority
began the process of clearing and preparing over 100 acres of land for future industrial projects and developed a 5-year
Strategic Plan and Implementation Program to lead the community for continued growth. Through Grogan’s
commitment to the economic development needs of the community, Sumter is well poised for the next director to step
into the position and continue the success.