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Effingham County IDA zeroing in on Savannah's Herndon
Herndon2012 Square
Brandt Herndon

SPRINGFIELD -- The Effingham County Industrial Development Authoriy on Sunday named Savannah's Brandt Herndon as the finalist for its CEO opening.

Herndon is currently the vice president of business development for the Savannah Economic Development Authority. He previously served as the president/CEO of the Fayette County Development Authority, givng him 16 years of experience in business and economic development.

Other career stops included Electric Cities and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.


"In each of my professional roles, I have been successful in producing positive results and I have a consistent history of advancing shared company goals," Herndon wrote in the cover letter to his application.

Highlights listed on his resume include:

New Business Development

Announced 31 new company locations, $416 million in capital investment and the creation of more than 1,492 new jobs in the last six years.

Business Expansion

Managed and assisted 48 existing company expansions, totaling a $660 million capital investment and 2,225 new jobs in the last six years.

Real Estate Experience

Sold over 400 acres of industrial real estate in eight years totaling $15 million and represented the owner in management of construction of two 27,000 square foot office buildings.

Herndon's also listed the following Savannah accomplishments:

-- Announced 19 new and expanding company locations, $433 million in capital investment and the creation of more than 1056 jobs in 2017.

-- Announced 16 new and expanding company locations, $218 million in capital investment and the creation of more than 1026 jobs in 2016.

-- Announced 15 new and expanding company locations, $142 million in capital investment and the creation of more than 615 jobs in 2015.

-- Announced 13 new and expanding company locations, $153 million in capital investment and the creation of more than 450 jobs in 2014.

-- Announced 16 new and expanding company locations, $130 million in capital investment and the creation of more than 570 jobs in 2013.

Tre Wilkins has served as Effingham County IDA CEO on an interim basis since John Henry resigned the post last fall after more than a decade on the job.