GADC’s Tavia Gaddy Graduates from Economic Development Institute

Dec. 12, 2011 - PRLog -- GREENVILLE COUNTY, SC — The Greenville Area Development Corporation, the county-chartered organization tasked with promoting and enhancing the economic growth of Greenville County, has announced that project manager Tavia C.M. Gaddy has graduated from the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute, and earned accreditation by the International Economic Development Council.

The Economic Development Institute is a three-session, multi-week program accredited by the International Economic Development Council designed to provide a broad spectrum of advanced education for the economic development professional.  The curriculum includes classes in the core areas of Business Retention and Expansion, Finance, and Real Estate, as well as concentrations in strategic planning, marketing, entrepreneurship and managing economic development organizations.  The program, initiated in 1962, now boasts approximately 3,500 graduates around the world, all of whom have completed a minimum of 117 hours of advanced instruction.

Ms. Gaddy, a GADC project manager recruited to Greenville in 2005 from the South Carolina Department of Commerce, has been involved in creating more than 4,500 new jobs and more than $100 million in capital investment in Greenville County, including such notable announcements as SAATI Americas, Proterra, Samsung, Perceptis, and Amy’s Kitchen.

She received her B.A. in Mass Communications from Grambling State University and a Masters in Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina.  She is an active member of the S.C. Economic Developers Association and holds her South Carolina Certified Economic Developer (SCCED) accreditation.  

In her project management role, Ms. Gaddy works with existing and prospective new businesses in Greenville County; helps in the development of short and long range economic development plans and strategies; gathers, interprets, and prepares data for studies and reports; and collaborates with other economic development agencies.

“Tavia is a highly experienced economic developer, is particularly knowledgeable about Greenville County and the Upstate, and plays a key role in helping attract quality jobs and investment to this area,” said Jerry Howard, President and CEO of the Greenville Area Development Corporation.   “Graduating from the Economic Development Institute is a real honor, and reflects her continued commitment to expanding her talents and supporting the pursuit of better jobs and a brighter future for this area.”

The Greenville Area Development Corporation is a non-profit organization established by Greenville County Council to promote and enhance the economic growth and development of Greenville County.  Since its founding in 2001, GADC efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 15,000 new jobs and more than $2.5 billion in capital investment in Greenville County.  To learn more, please visit www.goGADC.com or call 864.235.2008.