Company Profile

Garner Economics, LLC provides innovative economic development solutions in a competitive global market. Garner Economics offers site selection, analytical research, industry targeting, strategic planning and organizational development with a wealth of expertise to companies, communities, and organizations globally. Garner Economics is based in Atlanta, GA and has representative offices in both Europe and Asia.

Since 2003, our team has been headed by Jay Garner, a 30-year veteran of the management consulting, economic development and chamber of commerce professions and rounded out by talented experts with CEcD, CCE and CFRE designations.

Our Approach

Our ability to move a client to the next phase—achieving its goals—centers on the following core principles:

• We start with the facts. Our economic assessment is in-depth, comprehensive and thorough. Our belief is that every economy is unique and, through our market research, we’ll look at all the angles to reveal what sets apart your area or your competitors.
• We embrace innovative solutions but test new processes carefully to help states, regions and cities avoid chasing the next passing fad in economic development; we seek refinements that allow you to build upon successful strategies.
• We manage each process effectively, tactfully and successfully by cultivating our abilities to work in environments with a diverse or divisive agenda.

What Differentiates Us?

Experience and site selection: Our economic development approach is built from a wealth of site selection experience. We work with real companies to match them with the ideal locations, and we take the same solid business approach with communities and organizations that our corporate clients do with site selection. 

We stick closely to solid research, we know how to find and access incentives, we know what currently matters in the market, and we’re good at projecting future market forces.   Whether you’re a corporation or a community, working with our expert staff and knowledge of these factors gives you the competitive edge.

Strong research: We believe in the essential worth of research as it concerns economic development. It’s our cornerstone, and yours. Why? We don’t mind digging deeply and mining for the most detailed demographics, because we know that your business prospects will. We will produce reports using fully-sourced and reliable data, and you will be able to understand and track the information yourself as well as act upon it. 

In-depth assessment, creativity, and strategy: Our staff comes from different backgrounds and brings different approaches to the table. Through in-depth evaluation, we will tell you who you really are, revealing your true core competencies. You’ll find the results refreshing, empowering, and accurate. 

We help lead you to take action by strategically planning growth, and, all of our strategic recommendations include a comprehensive set of implementation guidelines so that you can put into practice what we recommend, seamlessly and effectively.

Relationships: We strive to become a valued partner to our clients to help you achieve success. We’re not just in an out over a period of weeks after the completion of your project. Rather, and as our clients will attest, we are there to support you in an advisory capacity at no additional fee. It is our signature mark of continuous service and it’s why we have so much repeat business with our clientele.

Jay A. Garner, CEcD, CCE, FM, HLM - President & Founder

Jay A. Garner, CEcD, CCE is the president and founder of Garner Economics, LLC, an economic development consulting firm headquartered in Atlanta, Ga. Jay is a leader and innovator in the economic development profession, having served for 30 years as both an award-winning economic development and Chamber of Commerce practitioner, and as a consultant to the profession. His firm assists clients throughout the U.S., Asia and Europe on a wide variety of projects, offering innovative, yet real-world solutions to achieve success. Jay often lectures and provides counsel on creating and implementing proactive global business development strategies and tactics. His firm is also a leader in providing assistance to corporate clients in their site selection process, such as Anchor Glass, Academy Sports, Hatfield Quality Meats, Stork, Future Pipe Industries and others. His firm is the exclusive provider of site location services for the Facility Group-a global leader in architecture, engineering and construction management, based in Atlanta-and their worldwide clients.

Jay is a graduate of West Virginia University with Bachelor of Arts and Master of Public Administration degrees. He is also a graduate of both the Economic Development Course at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma, where he is an instructor in international prospecting. Jay has led over 25 trade and business development missions on four continents leading to the creation of thousands of jobs and several billion dollars in capital investment. He is a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), a Fellow Member and an Honorary Life Member, the three highest professional designations awarded to those in the economic development profession by the International Economic Development Council. He is also a Certified Chamber Executive (CCE), a professional designation awarded to Chamber professionals by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives Association.

In 2009, Southern Business & Development magazine named Garner Economics as one of the best consulting firms in the U.S. As a practitioner, Jay was selected as one of ten outstanding leaders in economic development in the United States by Site Selection magazine while leading the economic development program in Mobile, Ala. The same publication also recognized him for running one of the ten best development organizations in the U.S. for six consecutive years. The mayor and city council of Mobile declared July 29, 1994 as "Jay Garner Day" in the city for his nine years of achievements as chief economic development officer for the city/county. As CEO of the Asheville, N.C. Chamber of Commerce, the organization became the first Chamber in the U.S. to win a Quality Award by the North Carolina Quality Foundation based on the national Malcolm Baldrige criteria. He was honored in both 2002 and 2003 by his alma mater, West Virginia University with Distinguished Alumnus Awards within the College of Arts and Sciences.

Jay is a past chairman for the International Economic Development Council, the largest economic development professional trade organization in the world. He is also a past chairman of the American Economic Development Council. An avid jazz drummer, he plays in two bands in the Atlanta area.

Tom Tveidt - Research Economist

Tom is a research economist whose expertise is regional economic assessment and evaluation. He is an active practitioner with experience in industrial site selection, industry target evaluation, workforce analysis, economic impact analysis, and regional economy appraisals.

Currently, Tom sits on the Editorial Review Board for the journal Applied Research in Economic Development, published by Southern Mississippi University. Tom is chair-elect of the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) in Arlington, Virginia, and is an active member of the National Association of Business Economics (NABE), and the Association of Public Data Users (APDU). Tom has been an invited instructor for the National Association of State Development Agencies (NASDA), International Economic Development Council (IEDC), and the C2ER. In March 2009, Tom, was recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau for “Outstanding Practices” in application of Labor Employment Dynamics, for his work in regional economic analysis.

In 2006 and 2007, he participated as a senior policy advisor and curriculum developer for a U.S. Department of Economic Development Administration funded program to develop and deliver regional economic development training based on regionalism and industry clusters. The program was a partnership of Western Carolina University, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Council for Community and Economic Research.

Tom is also President of SYNEVA Economics, LLC, a firm dedicated to the collection, analysis, and presentation of accurate regional economic and demographic information. SYNEVA Economics, LLC is unique in its commitment to making complex regional economic issues understandable to the public. He regularly speaks before business groups, government organizations and public assemblies, detailing regional economic trends and issues. He is frequently quoted in newspapers, business journals, and TV news programs.

Tom has a BA in Economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara, California, and an MBA in Finance from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, California.

Bill Dean - Senior Associate, Innovative Communities – Research Parks – Global Networks

Bill is a Senior Associate with Garner Economics with a focus on next generation technology economies.  Bill is an internationally recognized and accomplished senior executive with over 20 years’ experience in developing innovative ideas with strategic outcomes for technology-led economic development and research park advancements. He is known as a dynamic speaker and champion for beneficial relationships within academia, business and government.

Over the past decade, Bill has been the Director of the Piedmont Triad Research Park where he was brought in to lead and initiate technology development (biotech) in Winston-Salem. In this role, he created an entrepreneurial infrastructure and initiated a community technology roadmap within the Chamber Technology Council to drive growth. Dean has served as thought leader for new ideas such as the first regional office of the NC Biotechnology Center, the NC Research Parks Network, and the Wet Lab LaunchPad™. He was on the cover of Site Selection, July 2002, State-of-the-Art Research Parks; and wrote an article in the Scientist magazine supplement, April 2007, Growing Technology in Winston-Salem. Bill has been interviewed in other publications such as UrbanLand, July 2008, and participated on an EDA telecast in Washington, D.C. discussing University-Based Partnerships for Economic Development.

Bill was formerly Research Park Director of Cummings Research Park in Huntsville, Alabama. Cummings Research Park is recognized as one of the nation’s largest research parks and received the award for “Outstanding Research Park Achievement” from AURP (Association of University Research Parks) in 1997. In 2009, he was named first Chairman of the North Carolina Research Parks Network, which represents a coalition of seven leading research parks across North Carolina. In addition Bill was elected President of the North American Division of the International Association of Science Parks (IASP); during his tenure he serves on IASP’s esteemed International Board of Directors, comprised of science park leaders from around the globe.

Bill received a BBA Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi in 1972, and is also a 1981 graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. He held the position of President and Chief Executive Officer for Colonial Bank in Huntsville, Alabama from 1988 - 1993.

Bill was two-term Past President of the Association of University Research Parks in Washington, D.C. Wake Forest University Calloway School of Business recognized Mr. Dean as an Honoree of Beta Gamma Sigma in 2002. He is the first recipient to be recognized by the North Carolina Biotechnology Center, Triad Region, for the Biotechnology Service and Support Excellence Award in 2005. Mr. Dean received the Career Achievement Award of Excellence in 2005 by the Association of University Research Parks in recognition for advancing the field of Research and Science Parks.

Angela Kemper, MA, CFRE - Senior Associate

Angela Kemper, MA, CFRE, is a senior associate with Garner Economics and also partner of HunterKemper Consulting. She is a successful fundraiser, trainer, and consultant with expertise in strategic communication who has generated results in nonprofit and corporate organizations for more than 20 years. She has held executive positions for fundraising and membership programs that have led to successful multimillion dollar capital campaigns, double-digit increases in annual campaigns, special events and membership growth, and renewed and realigned boards.

As a consultant for 10 years, Angela has worked with clients in North Carolina, the Southeast, and nationally. She has created dozens of development audits and tailored development plans, conducted feasibility studies and capital campaigns, facilitated board retreats and planning sessions for groups ranging from six in number to more than 200 people, assessed membership programs, developed business plans, and more. Additionally, she has conducted many workshops and taught fundraising for the Duke University Certificate Program in Nonprofit Management.

Angela has facilitated community visioning and strategic planning processes and has conducted numerous electronic surveys and focus groups to generate broad input and consensus. She is a skilled facilitator, with successful outcomes in group strategic planning and community dialog. She also has extensive Chamber of Commerce and membership experience, working with clients on membership growth and planning.

Prior to co-founding HunterKemper Consulting in 1999, Angela was the director of major gifts at the North Carolina Outward Bound School and the vice president of member services at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. Previously, Angela taught strategic communication for the Master of Business Administration program at the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University for four years. She has a master’s degree in communication studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her bachelor’s degree is also from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Angela currently serves on the board of directors for the United Way of Asheville-Buncombe County. She has also served on the boards of directors for the Western North Carolina Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics Foundation, and the National Association for Membership Development.

Buddy Glazner, CEcD - Senior Associate

Buddy is a trained facilitator with significant experience in working with local community organizations in the development and implementation of strategic economic development plans. Buddy retired from Georgia Power Company in Atlanta after 34 years of service. Buddy received his undergraduate degree from Delta State University, in Cleveland, Miss., and then served our country for three years in the U.S. Army. He returned to Delta State to obtain his master’s in business administration and then immediately started with Georgia Power in 1975.

Buddy spent 18 months consulting to the Turkish Electric Company through a Southern Company subsidiary, Southern Electric International. He was part of a team that redesigned the accounting and financial reporting systems for the Turkish Electric Company.

Buddy worked in community and economic development within Georgia Power as a senior community development advisor. He has worked with over 320 community economic development organizations to develop strategic economic development plans.

Buddy was also one of the initial creators of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development. He was part of a core team that developed the curriculum and course content. During a six-year period, Buddy trained nearly 1,000 elected officials and other community leaders in the principles of economic development.

After obtaining the CEcD designation from the International Economic Development Council in 1998, Buddy transferred his knowledge and experience to the economic development department of Georgia Power. His focus was in recruiting quality jobs and capital investment to Georgia. Over a nine-year period, Buddy was a direct contributor to a team that resulted in the recruitment of 40 companies to Georgia, which represented over and above 8,000 jobs and more than $1.4 billion in capital investment. Many of these businesses were international companies from Japan, South Korea, Germany and France.

Buddy is active with the International Economic Development Council and the Georgia Economic Developers Association.

Kathleen Stewart - Senior Associate

Kathleen’s not-for-profit experience includes experience as head of membership development for several Chambers of Commerce including those in Jacksonville, Fla. and Asheville, N.C. She has successfully led campaigns in all areas of fundraising, membership growth and development, consistently surpassing goals and setting records. Kathleen has also served in interim executive roles for Chambers undergoing growth and/or reorganization.

Prior to entering the field of fundraising and member development, Kathleen owned and operated a successful travel agency. While running her business, she was awarded the Small Business Leader of the Year Recognition for Arlington Council, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. Many of her clients were government and private organizations. She brings more than 20 years of business experience to her clients.

She is a graduate of Jacksonville University with a Bachelor of Science in business administration. She was a previous board member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and past president for the Outstanding Member of the Year for Arlington Council, Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

Michele "Mike" S. Keller, CEcD, FM - Senior Associate

Mike retired from BNSF Railway in 2006 after 39+ years of service. As a railroad economic development expert, Mike worked with communities and cities in over 20 states in the US. She has helped site over $1 billion worth of capital investment in economic development related projects resulting in the creation of full time positions in excess of 32,700. Her work has also improved communities through her expertise in site location management creating infrastructure efficiencies, helping to secure public grants and fostering private investment. She has now established a consulting firm in which she works with communities on strategic and logistics planning as well as with engineering firms on their transportation related projects.

Mike is a former OU/EDI Dean and previously served as Chair, Special Projects, Project Chair, and Assistant Dean. She is currently a mentor and instructor in the CEcD Study Course. Nationally, she was a member of the Board of Directors of the International Economic Development Council again retiring in 2006 where she served as a member of the IEDC Executive Committee and Vice-Chair of the Education Committee. She previously served as Secretary-Treasurer of the former American Economic Development Council as well as Central Region Vice-Chair, Chair of the Education Committee, and Vice-Chair of the Certification Board for AEDC. She received IEDC’s Chairman’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in Economic Development in September 2005.

In addition to her work with OU/EDI, Mike is an adjunct member of the faculty at the College of Business, University of St. Thomas in Minnesota where she teaches in the Mini MBA Economic Development program.

When not involved in economic development endeavors or work, Mike together with her husband, Jim, enjoys gardening and NASCAR racing. They have one daughter, Karen.

Felicia Atwell - Project Manager

Felicia Atwell is a Project Manager with Garner Economics. She is an urban planner, graduating from Auburn University in Alabama with a background in Economic Development. Felicia has planned for private and public sector clients. The scale of the projects she has worked on varies from sites of a few acres to a developing island plan in Dubai.

The complexity and variety of projects Felicia has worked on has challenged her in gathering pertinent data and efficiently, yet thoroughly, providing a cohesive master plan. In planning and compiling graphic documents, data sets included physical attributes of the project as well as demographical, economical, environmental, contextual, and safety.

Felicia has facilitated community visioning and strategic planning processes and has conducted numerous surveys and focus groups to generate broad input and consensus. She has worked directly with community residents and elected officials, and provided graphics and presentations for clarity of the topics at hand.

Felicia’s interests lie in planning and economic development, both of which are important for the optimal success of the project. She is also graphically talented in creating maps and visuals pertaining to the project. Her architecture and design background translates into many areas beyond master plan documents. Felicia is also a photographer.

Felicia holds a dual master’s degree in Community Planning and Public Administration with a graduate minor in Economic Development from Auburn University. She returned to graduate school after first entering the professional field as a Supervising Architect with HABS of the National Park Service and then an associate planner with a private consulting firm in Alexandria, LA. Through a HUD Work/Study Scholarship, Felicia was able to return to Auburn University and intern with local government agencies, including the City of Opelika in their Economic Development department. Felicia was previously employed as a planner at Jacobs Engineering Group with their Advance Planning Group.

Felicia has volunteered with children since moving to Atlanta in 2006, first with Nicholas House, a transitional organization for homeless families, and then with a modeling school for young girls.

Evelyn Berry - Administrative Manager

Evelyn Berry draws her experience and professionalism from her previous roles in minority business development, environmental health and safety, public relations and marketing. This vast experience in a variety of industries has given Evelyn the kind of versatility employers have come to value.

Offering more than 14 years experience in program coordination, process improvement, event planning, and administrative support, Evelyn is cost-conscious and efficiency-driven with excellent leadership and communication skills.

Skilled in budget development, customer relations and office procedures and policies, Evelyn has, in past years, been a true asset to corporations such as Skanska USA, Port of Seattle and the Seattle Minority Business Development Center.

As the administrative manager, Evelyn is responsible for quality control and administrative coordination for all programs and staff support to the executive management team.

Services

Our customized services are briefly described below:

Site location analysis and incentive negotiations for corporate clients

Garner Economics performs these services on behalf of our corporate clients. Our site selection services evaluate communities and regions using 81 specific evaluation factors. Our incentive negotiations determines what incentives are available on the federal, state and local levels and we work with the client to secure any and all incentives for which companies are eligible.

Locational audits and economic assessments

Locational audits and economic assessments are a useful, fast-track and affordable process that analyzes the community's economic and competitive conditions based on both an on-site assessment and a quantitative analysis. This service is designed to move a community's leaders and organizations to action and decision regarding new initiatives. It includes the identification of assets and challenges of the community and market opportunities for growth.

Industrial and business park site planning

This methodology includes a local market analysis, a planning and engineering analysis (using professional partners), financial analysis, and an implementation plan.

Business and industry target identification

We specialize in the identification of targeted businesses based on both a desirability and feasibility-screening matrix. This is often linked with a community locational audit and a comprehensive economic development strategy.

Workforce assessment

Today's expanding industries must understand the labor composition of a community. Critical to the overall success of the business, we can assist firms in evaluating and identifying the skills and attitude of the labor supply; understand and document the costs of the local and regional labor market, including benefits and incentives; record the commuting patterns of the workforce; and assist with identifying training resources from local, regional and national agencies.

Global business development strategies and cross-cultural training

This service aids organizations in creating a total international strategy that will result in new business opportunities in a global market. We also assist individuals and organizations in understanding and practicing the cultural nuances of various countries. This service is valuable to those communities who are actively pursuing foreign trade and investment, or those that are actively pursuing or growing sister-city relationships.

Organizational consulting and training

This service provides direction and counsel to economic development organizations and Chambers of Commerce on issues including staffing, program development, governance, and training for staff, volunteers and elected officials, revenue development, public/private partnership relationships, effective service delivery and other related facets.

Our economic development staff and volunteer training process will train staff, volunteers of organizations and elected officals involved in economic and community development on the science and art of enhancing their community, region or state for investment.

Economic impact analysis

Understanding a project’s economic value, or the likely impact of various scenarios, provides our clients the information they need to make informed and persuasive decisions. We conduct in-depth input-output modeling in a clear and logical format, equipping clients with solid quantitative results. Our impact analyses can be used to value incentives, determine an industry’s contribution to a community, or assess the impact of a particular expansion and relocation.

Innovative Community Development

Today, communities are seeking ways develop a sustainable economic future. Garner Economics will identify local technology sectors and create a framework to build a future eco-system. Our framework will build strategic relationships between academia, government, and industry to leverage opportunities for technology growth and attraction.

Comprehensive economic & community development strategies

The planning process helps guide regions, communities and organizations in developing a multi-year strategy to enhance their quality of life and economic opportunities. The methodology includes input from the public, recommendations to achieve success, business and industry targets and an implementation plan.

Research and Science Park Development

Garner Economics can assist in the initial park development of next generation (live-work-play) technology strategies and provide mature parks with expertise of adapting to changing global economies. Business plans, marketing, tenant development, networks and building brand are a few of the strategies that Garner Economics can provide as best practice to accelerate technology growth.

University Economic Development

The economic shift of relying on innovation to build new economies has placed great emphasis on university research and commercialization. Garner Economics can build strategies that will capitalize on area research strengths to accelerate and commercialize technology at every stage of the development cycle.

Implementation plan guidelines

Implementation plans provided to our clients are based on the research and findings from an experienced, yet innovative and creative team of professionals. Our team members, their wealth of successful experience as consultants and former practitioners, and the fact that we are constantly learning and then doing, benefits our clients. The fact that the team from Garner Economics has knowledge of what growing and investing companies are looking for, and how companies make location decisions, adds to the recipe of success for our community clients.

In addition, all of our plans, strategies and recommendations include a detailed implementation component. Our implementation guidelines includes a summary of which organization should accomplish what part of the plan, when it should be done, and how much it will cost to be implemented.

Speaking engagements

Our team of experts in economic development and site selection are available to assist communities, economic development organizations and associations as a speaker for your next event. Give us a call or e-mail us to see how we may develop a speaking program that serves your specific needs.

Our Clients

* denotes multiple engagements

Strategic Planning and Business Targeting

City of Missoula, MT
Wilkes County, NC
Jefferson County, TN
Opelika, AL
West Monroe, LA*
Early County, GA
Terrebonne Parish, LA*
Louisiana Economic Development*
Northeast Louisiana Economic Alliance
Topeka, KS*
Baton Rouge, LA*
Austin, TX
Macon, GA*
Research Triangle, NC
Mobile, AL
Lawton, OK
Jacksonville, FL*
Missouri Economic Development Council
Grubb and Ellis/Martens Commercial*
Savannah, GA
Bay County, MI
 

Site Selection

Stork Food Processing Systems
Future Pipe Industries
Hatfield Quality Meats
Academy Sports
Anchor Glass
Lowe's Home Improvement*
The Facility Group* (and their clients)
 

Workforce Assessment

All of our corporate siting clients
Allen Land Group, Inc.*
Macon, GA*
The St. Joe Company

Research & Economic Analysis

Lake Havasu, AZ*
Terrebonne Parish, LA*
Allen Land Group, Inc.*
Atlanta Development Authority

Organizational Analysis, Assistance and Training

Montana West Economic Development Corporation
North Louisiana Economic Partnership
Charlotte Regional Partnership
St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Assoc.
Economic Development Council of Collier County, FL*
City of West Monroe*
Greensboro Economic Development Alliance
Team Northeast Ohio*
Cincinnati USA Partnership
The Facility Group*
Baton Rouge Area Chamber*
Community Development Foundation of Tupelo, MS*
Jacksonville, Fla. Transit Authority
Louisiana Economic Development*
Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition*
Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce*
Puerto Rico Industrial Development Corporation
Greater Phoenix Economic Council
Lee's Summit Economic Council
University of Oklahoma, EDI*
Harrison County Development Commission, MS*
University of Georgia
Georgia Tech, Basic Economic Development Course
 

Testimonials

Michael Olivier, former President of the Americas, Future Pipe Industries, Inc.

Mayor Dave Norris, City of West Monroe, LA:

Jay Garner and his team completed a regional economic strategy for our area which is being implemented today. I liked his work so much, I engaged him to do a community visioning plan for our city. The work of he and his team is unsurpassed and well executed. There is none better than Garner Economics.

Duane Long - Longistics (Raleigh, NC) Volunteer Chair of the Research Triangle Regional Partnership International Committee:

The work product that we received from Jay and his team was delivered on time, on budget and was excellent. The report really hit home a number of key issues that we must address in order to be successful in today’s global economy. The detailed and comprehensive analysis has helped our region immensely.

Stephen Nodine - Mobile County Commissioner, AL:

Jay Garner and his team provided us the most comprehensive assessment of our economic development efforts over the last twenty years and then offered us realistic recommendations on how to advance our economic development initiatives. They are the absolute best at what they do!

Rick Weddle – Research Triangle Park Foundation:
(former President and CEO of Greater Phoenix Economic Council)

With the completion of our successful fundraising effort, we realized we needed help in realigning our operational structure. I called on Jay to help us because of his “hands-on” experience and the fact that he sees the big picture on how we can be the most effective and successful in our efforts. There is none better than Jay when it comes to organizational analysis and crystal clear recommendations and solutions.

Ronnie L. Bryant, CEcD, FM, HLM - President and CEO of Charlotte Regional Partnership

Jay Garner and his team provided us the most comprehensive, comparative benchmark analysis ever conducted for an EDO. The work of Garner Economics was simply outstanding and their conclusions and recommendations are now driving our business agenda.

Patrick J. Topping, CEcD - Senior Vice President of Macon Economic Development Commission, Macon, GA

We had Garner Economics conduct a labor analysis for a shared service project looking at communities in Georgia. The information they provided convinced the company that our labor force was available, affordable and had the skills. The work done by the Garner Economics team was outstanding.

Alfred F. Cook, Jr. CEcD, Director of Economic Development City of Opelika, Alabama

Jay is the consummate Economic Development professional. His wide range of experience both as an Economic Development practitioner and as a Site Consultant make Jay and his Firm worthy of consideration for any Economic Development related issue that needs addressing. I highly recommend Jay and his Firm.

Mary Ann Newton -  President, West Monroe - West Ouachita Chamber of Commerce, West Monroe, LA

Jay is progressive, ethical and innovative. He combines his Economic and Community Development expertise with the ability to organize, collect and evaluate data - all in an effort to provide the best of product development programming to municipalities and businesses. And he does so with graciousness and a terrific personality. He truly wants to see his clients succeed. Jay's team members compliment his work ethic and vision. They, too, possess a wide range of experience and talent. Garner Economics is a 'go to' organization. HIRE THEM!

 See what EDI students are saying about Jay Garner’s course instruction on "Effective International Business Development Strategies".