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Southeast Industrial Development Association 22-county area
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The Chattanooga-based Southeast Industrial Development Association is working to foster cooperation between companies across state lines in Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee to enable them to compete in the global economy.
The association began as a partnership between power distribution companies based in what the Tennessee Valley Authority defines as its southeast region, a 22-county area where the three states come together, including 10 counties in northern Georgia.
The association now works in all areas of economic development in the region, facilitating cooperation between local companies and attracting new business to the area.
By banding together in a regional association, companies that traditionally have not looked beyond their local community are now able to focus on a larger market.
“Our communities compete for projects on a worldwide basis,” Kathy Johnson, project manager and business development specialist at the association, told GlobalAtlanta, adding that the global reach of large companies makes regional cooperation necessary for each local company to compete.
Erik Brinke, director of economic development at Young Harris-based Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corp., said that the association’s cross-border promotional scheme is an attraction for global companies.
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