EDC President Jana Dyke elected first vice chair of Southern Economic Development Council
File Photo: Carlton Fletcher
From staff reports
ALBANY — Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission President/CEO Jana Dyke recently became the first female in more than a decade to be elected first vice chair of the Southern Economic Development Council.
The 17-state council recently elected its officers for the 2024 term, and Dyke, who has been a member of SEDC since 2015 and has been an active member of the organization, holding several positions during her eight-year tenure. She currently serves as the Southern Economic Development Council’s second vice chair.
The SEDC was created to provide information and leadership to economic developers throughout the American South. Membership provides connections to education, site location consultants, and other important resources. Annual events provide environments that foster important international relationships.
“SEDC is really about having a network,” Dyke said in a news release. “Being involved means having a network of people who can help you create innovative solutions. A lot of communities face similar problems, so sometimes it’s not about reinventing the wheel but rather collaborating on an existing model that works for your community.”
Dyke has previously served as secretary, alternate state director, and regional director for the Sothern Economic Development Council.
“Jana has established several important relationships during her career in economic development, and we are proud of her involvement with the Southern Economic Development Council and her leadership role with the organization,” Chris Hatcher, president of the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy and chairman of the Albany-Dougherty EDC Board. “She will be a great resource to the SEDC as she continues to work on behalf of our community.”
Dyke is currently planning a Meet the Consultants event in Atlanta, as well as the 2025 SEDC annual conference in Savannah. She will officially assume the role as first vice chair of the organization on Jan. 1.
Author
Related Articles
Dawson proposes borrowing up to $420,000 to stay afloat as finances unravel
Documents obtained by The Dawson News show city officials are proposing to balance the budget through a transfer from the Public Utilities Fund while simultaneously seeking authority to borrow as much as $420,000 from a private financial institution to continue meeting payroll and other operating expenses as Dawson works to complete financial audits that have remained unfinished since 2023.
Regional catering business finds new home at Warrior Creek Mercantile
For months, Marchbanks said she had been asking God for an opportunity to serve others. “I just kept praying, ‘God, use me as a servant,'” she recalled. “I didn’t care what it was. I just wanted to be used to help people.”
Leesburg business reflects growing trend toward multi-use downtown spaces
Beyond the pristinely curated lunch spot, owner Sheri Smith has created a small hub of health and wellness services, retail and local partnerships — an example of the type of multi-use business model many small communities are increasingly embracing as they reinvest in historic downtown properties.
