After leading the Development Authority of Bryan County (DABC) for 10 years, it was announced last week that Anna Chafin, the current CEO of the DABC, would be leaving to head a new soon-to-be-named regional workforce organization. DABC Senior Vice President Justin Farquhar will join Chafin at the new organization.
This new organization will initially be funded by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) and will potentially include 12 to 20 counties throughout the region. In addition to Chafin and Farquhar, the new organization’s team will consist of current SEDA Project Manager Jennifer Collins, with support from Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority Director of Workforce Maria Whitfield.
“We are certainly sad to see Anna and Justin leave, but the good news is that they will still support Bryan County in their new roles,” said DABC Chairman Jon Seagraves. “Anna and Justin have provided tremendous leadership for the DABC and Bryan County, and we wish them all the best as they transition into these new opportunities.”
In the 10 years since Chafin joined the DABC, 30 industries have either located new operations or expanded existing operations in Bryan County, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, which at $7.59 billion in capital investment and 8,500 jobs, is the largest economic development project in state history.
The industries Chafin and Farquhar have worked with are spread across both ends of the county, including Interstate Centre Industrial Park in North Bryan County and the Belfast Commerce Park in Richmond Hill.
In addition to the successes in industry recruitment and retention over the last ten years, the DABC has developed a robust existing industry support program, developed programs in partnership with Bryan County Schools to educate students about opportunities with industries in Bryan County, and built partnerships with Fort Stewart/ Hunter Army Airfield and other organizations throughout the region.
“It has been a great run in Bryan County over the past 10 years, and I’m so proud of all our team has accomplished together,” said Chafin. “Justin and I are excited for this new opportunity to support industries throughout the region. We have truly enjoyed serving Bryan County by creating new job opportunities and diversifying the tax base, and now we will work to help those industries and many others in the region find the workforce they need to succeed.