Cook County EDC | Lisa Collins named new director of economic development

Lisa Collins named new director of economic development

Article Source Link By: Charles Shiver

October 9, 2013

Lisa S. Collins, who started her job as Cook County’s new director of economic development on Oct. 1, is very excited about the community’s potential to attract more industries and create more jobs.

“Adel-Cook County is more than ready to go to the next level,” Ms. Collins said.

She added, “When I first began discussions with the Economic Development Commission, I was amazed at what leadership had already accomplished to ensure economic success in Cook County.

“Cook County is definitely positioned for growth! I look forward to working with the Economic Development Commission team to capitalize on the assets of the county in order to create more jobs and increase the tax base.”

Ms. Collins has more than 17 years of experience in community and economic development. She is succeeding Kerry Waldron, who resigned to take a job opportunity in another community.

Ms. Collins is currently organizing her efforts as she learns more about local economic development projects in the works. Her goal is to rebrand the community for new industry prospects in light of Cook County’s proximity to Tifton and Valdosta. Her plans include identifying community strengths to accentuate and community weaknesses to improve as far as Cook County’s presentation for economic development is concerned. For example, she would like to revamp the EDC website.

Before coming to Cook County, Ms. Collins was the director of economic development for Early County 2055 (EC2055) in Early County, Ga. As the leader of EC2055’s team, she directed the execution of a 50-year comprehensive economic development master plan for Blakely and Early County – a plan focused on preserving the area’s historical foundation and revitalizing the economy. She also managed the Advancing Early Initiative 2012 program, a five-year community and economic development plan with specific goals and implementation strategies. By forging public-private partnerships, the plan ended Dec. 31, 2012, with all goals met. Ms. Collins also oversaw 2020 Vision, the second community and economic development action strategy (eight years), for the 50-year master plan developed by EC2055. This plan sunsets Dec. 31, 2020. Before coming to Early County, she was the president and chief executive officer of UPtown Columbus, Inc., a nonprofit organization in Columbus, Ga., where she facilitated the economic revitalization initiatives throughout the city’s central business district, riverfront, and overall uptown area. Prior to UPtown Columbus, Ms. Collins was senior vice president of governmental affairs and transportation at the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce, working closely with governmental, business and community leaders on issues affecting the economic development and quality of life in the region.

In 2009, Ms. Collins earned the designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment and a commitment to personal and professional growth. She joined approximately 1,100 CEcDs in the United States.

In 2010, she earned the designation of Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) from the National Development Council (NDC), a national recognition that denotes a mastery of economic development finance skills and deal structuring techniques that translate development opportunities into results for the community.

Ms. Collins is also a distinguished lecturer on Economic Development Strategic Planning at Georgia Tech’s annual Basic Economic Development Course. She is also currently pursuing Professional Community Economic Developer certification from the Community Development Council, and plans to complete her certification in August 2014.

In June 2012, Ms. Collins was one of 30 people chosen from across the United States to attend the White House Rural Council’s Regional Innovation in Rural America Forum in Washington, D.C. Participants were chosen based on their outstanding efforts to promote economic development strategies, and were invited to share their experiences with significant leadership within the Presidential Administration.

Ms. Collins served on the Executive Committee of the U.S. Highway 27 Association, the Agritourism Committee for Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black, the board of the Southwest Georgia Joint Development Authority, the Early County Development Authority, and served as secretary of the Early County Airport Authority. She is a member of the International Economic Development Council, the Southern Economic Development Council, the Georgia Economic Developers Association, the Council of Development Finance Agencies, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Ms. Collins has two children: Fran (Stephen), Columbus, Ga., a church pianist and elementary school teacher; and Samuel (Christy), a graduate student at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland (UK).