Jonathon Connell

About Jonathon Connell

With over ten years of experience in community and economic development, I am a passionate and skilled professional who strives to create positive impacts in the Southeast region. As the SEIDA Program Director, I oversee various projects and activities that facilitate the creation of jobs, capital investment, and additional power load throughout the SEIDA service area. I am motivated by the mission of SEIDA to provide a coordinated approach to the delivery of services to assist businesses with locations, expansions, and financing opportunities. I bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the team, having worked in different sectors, regions, and roles in the field of economic development. In my current role, I assist the Director of Community and Economic Development in planning and implementing the SEIDA program, including marketing, research, infrastructure development, and grant administration. I leverage my policy analysis, public policy, and event planning skills to conduct feasibility studies, strategic planning retreats, and business retention and expansion programs. I also partner with local governments, development authorities, and other stakeholders to identify and address their needs and challenges. I am proud of my achievements, such as securing multiple grants and awards for SEIDA and its clients, and being recognized as one of the Georgia Southern 40 Under 40 in 2022.

Experience

1. Seida Program Director

   Southeast Industrial Development Association

   Dec 2021 — Present · Chattanooga, TN, US

   Directs daily activities of the Southeast Industrial Development Association (SIEDA), a regionaleconomic development association tasked with facilitating the creation of jobs, capital investment andadded power load throughout the SEIDA service area (Northwest Georgia, Southeast Tennessee, andWestern North Carolina.)• Guides and consults local governments, economic development boards and prospective businesseswith the identification, evaluation, development and marketing of Industrial Property throughout theSEIDA service Area.• Assists the Director of Community & Economic Development in planning and implementing thevarious projects and activities outlined in the overall Economic Development Work Plan and RegionalComprehensive Economic Development Strategy.• Coordinates opportunities for Business Development Services between Workforce, EconomicDevelopment, Planning, and outside agency resources.• Provides project management expertise and coordination between new and expanding industries,TVA, TVA Power Distributors, state, local governments, and economic development organizations.Assisted with the creation of more than jobs and $ 230 Million Dollars of Capital Investmentin the SEIDA region to date.• Prepares and manages grant proposals for submission to granting agencies in areas of economicdevelopment, community development, housing, parks/ recreation, and utility infrastructuredevelopment. Awarded and currently managing $10 million dollars in funds (annually) onbehalf of local governments.

Education

• Georgia Southern University

  Bachelor of Science, Political Science

  2006 — 2010

• Rutland High School

  High School, College/University Preparatory and Advanced High School/Secondary Diploma Program

  2003 — 2006

• Western Carolina University

  Masters, Public Administration

  2010 — 2011

• Georgia Southern University

  Master's of Public Administration

  2011 — 2013