Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission hosts Strategic Roundtable in Atlanta ahead of Albany-Dougherty Day at the Capitol
ATLANTA, Ga. (Feb. 10, 2026) — The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission (ADEDC) convened city and county leadership, development partners, and key stakeholders for an Economic Development Roundtable at the Georgia Experience Center in Atlanta on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. The gathering served as a strategic kickoff conversation ahead of Albany-Dougherty Day at the Capitol, reinforcing a shared vision for economic growth and regional collaboration.
The roundtable brought together City and County Commissioners, Development Authority board members, and economic development partners to review recent progress, align on 2026 priorities, and discuss how collaboration with state and utility partners continues to position Albany-Dougherty for success.
“This roundtable reflects the intentional work happening across our community,” said Chris Hatcher, Chair of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “By bringing local leaders and partners together ahead of Albany-Dougherty Day at the Capitol, we are reinforcing a unified message, that Albany-Dougherty is prepared, collaborative, and competitive when it comes to economic development opportunities. We have an incredible economic development team in our state and we appreciate their partnership. It’s no wonder we continued to be named the nation’s number one state for business.”
The program opened with a welcome and safety briefing from Scott Purvis, Regional Economic Development Manager for Georgia Power’s South Region, followed by partner introductions led by Jana Dyke, President & CEO of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission.
Dyke provided an economic development overview highlighting the Commission’s progress over the past 24 months, including key project wins, annual report data, and strategic goals for 2026. She also outlined the community’s economic development process and shared updates on PDA-controlled and partner-owned sites, noting that more than 500 acres have been acquired in the last six months, bringing the region’s total market-ready inventory to more than 1,000 acres.
“These site investments are critical to our long-term strategy,” said Dyke. “They allow us to respond quickly to opportunities, compete for large-scale projects, and demonstrate to prospects that Albany-Dougherty is serious about growth.”
The discussion emphasized the importance of partnerships with organizations including the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Power, Electric Cities of Georgia, EMCs, and ECG. Daryl Ingram, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Electric Cities of Georgia, led a conversation on “How a Community Wins,” addressing RFIs, site visits, industry expansion, and project announcements.
The roundtable concluded with a panel discussion featuring regional partners Lonnie Smallwood, Mark Elliott, Taylor Evans, and Tina Herring, who shared insights into business recruitment, existing industry support, and regional collaboration.
The Atlanta roundtable set the stage for Albany-Dougherty Day at the Capitol, where local leaders and stakeholders continued conversations with state officials to advocate for policies and partnerships that support economic development across the region.
About the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission:
The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission is a public-private partnership whose mission is to foster new investment and job creation through the recruitment, retention, and expansion of industry for Albany-Dougherty County. They aim to bring new industries to Albany and give existing businesses the resources they need to expand. In doing this, they help bring new employment opportunities to Albany. To learn more, visit www.choosealbany.com.
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