Newly appointed Chairman, Cedric King congratulates Mel Baxter for being selected to serve as President
Mel Baxter Selected as President of the Brunswick – Glynn County Development Authority
Mel Baxter has been selected to serve as President of the Brunswick – Glynn County Development Authority. As President, Mel is responsible for leading the organization’s efforts in attracting new business and industry to Georgia’s Golden Isles and making sure that Glynn County’s existing industries stay here and grow here.
Dedicated to Glynn County’s Economic Development
Mel has served as the Interim Director for the last 18 months and has already accomplished quite a bit. One of the Development Authority’s biggest accomplishments under Mel’s leadership is the Gateways Industrial Park. The Gateways Industrial Park is a 77 acre property that is located less than a mile off of Exit 42 and has been “GRAD Certified” by the Georgia Department of Economic Development as being ready for accelerated development.
Prior to serving as the Interim Director, Mel served as a Board Member for the Development Authority which has given him quite a bit of knowledge and insight on how to successfully manage and complete an economic development project in Glynn County.
John Scott, the Project Manager at the Development Authority stated “I got to know Mel Baxter really well a few years ago when he was serving as the Board Chairman. Our office was short-staffed and we were working on Gulfstream’s Brunswick expansion. Mel was at our office nearly everyday helping us out and he was a huge part of the project’s success. I’m excited to see what else Mel does for our community.”
Mel Baxter speaks at the Coastal Pines Technical College ground breaking ceremony
More than Industrial Development
Mel has experience working with Brunswick and Glynn County’s elected leadership, the business community and other organizations that are involved in economic development – such as the College of Coastal Georgia, Georgia Ports Authority, and the Brunswick – Golden Isles Chamber of Commerce (just to name a few). As a Board Member, Mel helped the Development Authority expand Glynn County’s workforce development infrastructure by acquiring and donating land across from the Brunswick – Golden Isles Airport for both the Golden Isles Career Academy (GICA) and Coastal Pines Technical College (CPTC) campuses.
Thorough Process
The Board interviewed several candidates from around the United States and Georgia over the past several months. Brunswick and the Golden Isles has a fast growing regional economy and a tremendous amount of potential so the President position got the attention of several economic development professionals. The Board thoroughly discussed all the possibilities and advantages each candidate would bring. After thorough consideration, the Board unanimously agreed that Baxter had the best mix of experience, perspective and leadership potential to move the Development Authority forward.
Cedric King, the Development Authority’s newly appointed Chairman stated “Mel is a long-time member of the Golden Isles Community who has a successful business record. His background as a local bank president and civic leader makes him an asset to the citizens of Glynn County. After a long and extensive search, our board made a wise decision in unity selecting Mel the next leader of the organization. The board will continue to leverage Mel’s knowledge, relationships and insight to help raise the Development Authority to the next level.”
Moving Economic Development Forward for all of Glynn County
In speaking of Glynn County’s economic development, Mel said “I am excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to move our community forward with this economic endeavor. Glynn County has a great deal to offer the rest of the world. We have tremendous assets and a community that is primed and ready to help our local companies expand their operations and help those businesses from outside our arena move in and enjoy what we have here to help them be successful.”
