Georgia Southern鈥檚 retail recruiter program nominated for national award by University Economic Development Association
糖心Vlog and the City of Statesboro’s partnership to recruit more retail businesses to the area has been nationally recognized by the University Economic Development Association (UEDA) as a finalist for one of its annual Awards of Excellence.
The partnership, officially named the 鈥淩etail Recruiter Program,鈥� is a collaboration between Georgia Southern鈥檚 Business Innovation Group and the City of Statesboro.
The program earned a final spot in the “Place” category. The UEDA defines this category as 鈥渢he many and diverse ways in which institutions contribute to making attractive, competitive communities鈥攑laces where people want to live, create and take jobs, raise their families, participate in civic life, and age and retire.鈥�
Mayor of Statesboro Jonathan McCollar said the city is thrilled with the growth and revitalization brought on by its partnership with the Retail Recruiter Program. One example is the renovation of the space previously occupied by Kmart on Northside Drive, which will now be home to the national home furnishings chain HomeGoods. In May of this year, McCollar noted the impact this will have on the city.
鈥淥ur city is growing by leaps and bounds every day,鈥� he explained.鈥淭his retailer鈥檚 decision to invest in Statesboro is a testament to the hard work of our team and the undeniable potential of our community. It鈥檚 about more than filling a vacant building; it鈥檚 about showing investors and developers that Statesboro is a thriving, vibrant city with a bright future.鈥�
In just the first two and a half years, 26 retailers have toured the city, and nine of those are actively looking at area locations.
Additionally, Georgia Power designated Statesboro as 鈥渞etail-ready鈥� in June, as part of its new initiative to help communities outside the Atlanta metro area attract retailers. They consider Statesboro a catalyst for growing the initiative.
A planned collaboration with the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority could further the program, potentially bringing several million dollars of construction to the Main Street corridor, said Alan Gross, head of the Retail Recruiter Program for Georgia Southern.
Gross believes this is just the beginning, and recognition from the UEDA means similar programs could be replicated nationwide.
鈥淚t’s taken a while, but we’re finally starting to see some success,鈥� he said. 鈥淏eing a UEDA Award finalist is a chance to showcase that success, and more importantly, serve as a model for other communities.鈥�