Brynn Grant
Columnist
April 1 marked one year since I joined the Liberty County Development Authority (LCDA). Shortly after I started, I mapped out a set of goals for the first year with our chairman, Mr. Al Williams. The board asked us to focus on foundational improvements — strategic hiring, organizational restructuring, system modernization, and stronger community and regional engagement. These were not small tasks. Our board and staff set out to rebuild the engine while the car was in motion. Here’s a snapshot of the goals:
• Build the right team: Hire for key positions including finance and marketing.
• Modernize operations: Introduce technology to increase accuracy, transparency, and efficiency, restructure staff roles, and implement new human resource protocols.
• Reform benefits: Update healthcare and retirement offerings to reflect new board policies.
• Implement Salesforce: Leverage client resource management tools for project tracking, contact management, and communication.
• Streamline documentation: Implement naming conventions and central digital filing.
• Reintroduce governance structure: Ensure consistency in board meetings, documentation, and financial reporting.
• Complete audits and increase accountability: Initiate all necessary annual audits and required billing and ensure ongoing operational compliance.
• Launch strategic planning: Conduct a comprehensive analysis, refine our target industry approach, and include recommendations to address our area’s range of economic development opportunities and risks.
• Manage and create infrastructure: Prioritize land and water/sewer planning based on strategic needs.
• Drive economic development: Support existing industries and businesses, generate leads, advance partnerships to attract new capital investment and jobs.
• Build regional collaboration: Strengthen ties with McIntosh and Long counties and explore the creation of a regional joint development authority to maximize visibility and opportunity.
• Invest in workforce development: Work with local and regional partners, support initiatives like the Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE).
• Engage the community: Develop a transparent, proactive communications plan to include a monthly editorial in the Coastal Courier.
We’ve made substantial progress on these ambitious priorities. All are complete or underway. In addition, this past year, our team secured a $2 million OneGeorgia Rural Site Development Grant for Tradeport West, renovated a long-neglected facility at 99 Techwood, and completed essential repairs to 103 Technology Drive in Hinesville Technology Park.
This would all be impossible without our engaged board of directors and dedicated team. Each staff member is now charting their roles for the coming year. We are tying individual goals to our strategic plan and will continue using them to inform performance reviews and budget planning.
To implement the goals of our five-year strategic plan, we’re already working on a draft budget for next fiscal year, which we aim to present to our board in May. This cycle of goal-setting, strategic alignment, and financial planning ensures we remain focused, accountable, and future-ready.
Looking ahead, the LCDA will continue building the framework to support lasting, quality growth — not just this year but for years to come. Our mission is clear: create the conditions for economic vitality, regional collaboration, and community trust.
Our new team is just getting started.
Brynn Grant is CEO of the Liberty County Development Authority.