Georgia communities receive funding for product development

ATLANTA, January 14, 2013 - The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has awarded $180,000 in product development agreements to 18 tourism and art entities across the state. Georgia Tourism and the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA), both divisions of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, combined resources for the second year to maximize the 2013 Tourism Product Development Agreement program. 'Creating new tourism product in Georgia is essential to the success of our tourism industry,' said Kevin Langston, deputy commissioner for Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 'We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the Georgia Council for the Arts to create jobs and investment opportunities across the state.' "The recipients demonstrate the benefits provided to local economies by arts partnerships that produce jobs and generate revenue,' said GCA Director Karen L. Paty. 'We continue to be excited by opportunities to continue working together with the Tourism Division in support of a vibrant Georgia.' The Tourism Product Development Agreement program was designed to financially support tourism development activities at the local level that sustain and create jobs, and support Georgia's creative economies with an emphasis on local artists and the nonprofit arts industry. The Georgia Department of Economic Development received 72 applications for the 2013 Tourism Product Development grant program amounting to nearly $1 million in requests. Recipients of the 2013 Tourism Product Development recipients include: Augusta Canal Authority City of Darien City of LaGrange City of Madison City of Moultrie City of Stone Mountain Decatur County Commission Decatur Downtown Development Authority Downtown Development Association of Columbus Downtown Development Association of LaFayette Downtown Statesboro Development Authority Lincoln County Development Authority Manchester Downtown Development Authority Tift County Development Authority Troup County Waycross Tourism White County Development Authority Woodstock Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Georgia Tourism's Product Development team assists private for-profit, nonprofit and local governments by providing resources and financial assistance to develop tourism product across Georgia. About Georgia Council for the Arts Georgia Council for the Arts provides support for nonprofit arts organizations throughout the state. Established in 1965 as the Georgia Commission on the Arts, the Council encourages excellence in the arts, support the arts' many forms of expressions and makes the arts available to all Georgians by providing funding, leadership, programming and other services. About GDEcD The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) plans, manages and mobilizes state resources to attract new business investment to Georgia, drive the expansion of existing industry and small business, locate new markets for Georgia products, inspire tourists to visit Georgia, and promote the state as a top destination for arts events and film, music and digital entertainment projects. Visit www.georgia.org.