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Effingham County IDA says workforce training and industrial growth remain central to county strategy
Summary
Brent Herndon, CEO of Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, told commissioners the IDA is expanding workforce programs, building a class‑A office with a 90‑seat training room, and showed that most industrial property is no longer abated.
Brent Herndon, CEO of the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority, briefed the Board of Commissioners during the June 17 meeting on the IDA’s recent activity and priorities, highlighting workforce programs, product development and the fiscal role of industrial investment. "Seventy percent of all jobs that are created are created by existing industry," Herndon said, explaining the IDA’s focus on retention as well as attraction.
Jessica Hood, workforce director at the IDA, described the Workforce PhD program, a four‑day boot camp for high‑school seniors that the IDA runs with Effingham College and Career Academy and Savannah Technical College. Hood said the program has worked with more than 100 seniors and awarded 12 $500 scholarships to date. "Workforce availability remains a top priority and concern for many existing industries and the new industries that we're working to attract," Hood said.
Herndon said the IDA is building a Class A office on Highway 21 and Old Augusta Road; the facility will include a public training room that seats 90. He also reviewed recent siting results, naming new and expanding firms that have located in Effingham County since 2022, and summarized a Georgia Tech fiscal analysis the IDA commissioned showing the fiscal benefits of industrial versus residential development for county finances.
On tax abatements, Herndon reported there are 304 industrial parcels in the county and nine currently under abatement. He said about 86% of industrial parcels are not abated and that the bulk of abatements will expire by February 2030. "Very little is [under abatement], and we use, with the board's discretion, abatements selectively," he said.
Commissioners asked about expanding the IDA’s role to commercial attraction and marketing as the county grows; Herndon said the IDA’s charter permits broader economic development work and the authority would consider a commercial arm if the board supports it. The commissioners did not take any formal action on the IDA report.
