Strong Foundations | Summer 2019

A Message from Randall Redding

While we continue to pray for the safe keeping of those that endured Hurricane Dorian, it’s clear that the summer heat hasn’t left us yet. I hope you will enjoy this latest issue of RKR’s Strong Foundations newsletter.

Workforce development continues to be a top priority for the construction industry. The first article is about how it’s time for a shift in thinking in how to tackle the issue. As the state works to connect businesses in need with programs that train workforce, we need to look to change the way we think and encourage kids to consider opportunities outside of a traditional four-year college education.

We also interview Laura Boalch, who is the Technical College System of Georgia’s Deputy Commissioner for Economic Development. In addition to discussing with Laura what the colleges provide in terms of training in economic development, she shares programs to impact the industry’s workforce development initiative.

Thanks for your friendship and continued support.

Randall K. Redding
President & CEO

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Workforce Development

Over the past five years, the State of Georgia has focused efforts on economic development and has done a tremendous job of attracting industry to the state. Now, as we look to the future, questions arise about how we continue to maintain the same level of success. One of the challenges born from a strong economy is the continued lack of skilled workforce. We have heard this theme time and time again, specifically within the construction industry. But, as the Georgia economy booms, what is the state doing to connect its economic development efforts with its workforce development initiatives? And, more importantly, what can we do to change the perceptions and encourage today’s youth to explore careers in manufacturing, logistics, construction and other related trades?

[ Read Article ]

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Interview with Laura Boalch, Technical College System of Georgia

Laura Boalch is the Deputy Commissioner for Economic Development (ED). In this role, she works closely with the Economic Development divisions across 22 technical colleges to provide short-term, customized training for business and industry that is designed to fit those needs that fall outside the scope of traditional academic programs. Whether companies are seeking OSHA/workplace safety, computer skills, industrial maintenance training, or leadership/supervisory development, the colleges' ED divisions are equipped to meet their needs. They also offer continuing education and professional development opportunities for a variety of occupational areas.

[ Read Interview ]

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Laura Richards | Founder & Chair of the Friends of Carrollton GreenBelt, LLC

Share with us your background that led to you founding Carrollton GreenBelt. I am from Carrollton, but left in 1990 to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Then I moved back in 2009. While I was away, I biked across the United States and then led as a European guide for Vermont Bicycle Touring. That’s when it clicked for me regarding trails. I first rode with guests on trails separated from roads in the Netherlands. There I saw people holding hands while they biked and carrying pets and their groceries to the extent that it became more than a trail, but a really busy public space. Our Greenbelt serves that role as one of Carrollton's newest parks and showcases local natural wonders. It’s a great way to enjoy the great outdoors. What’s the most rewarding part of what you do/have done at GreenBelt? To see the city of Carrollton submit its application to be a bike friendly community was the most rewarding part to me. That designation is through the League of...

R.K. Redding Construction, Inc. Promotes Three

RKR President/CEO, Randall Redding, looks to the future by promoting three from within. Bremen, GA (PRWEB) July 18, 2011 President/CEO Randall K. Redding Randall K. Redding, President/CEO of R.K. Redding Construction, Inc. is pleased to announce the following promotions: Executive Vice-President, Richard H. Lusk will now also serve as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. Born and raised in Bremen, Richard graduated from Georgia Tech in 1993 with a degree in Building Construction and has been employed with R.K. Redding Construction, Inc. for 18 years. Richard and his wife, Lori, reside in Waco, GA with their two daughters, Leah and Julia. He is a member of the First United Methodist Church of Bremen and serves on the Haralson County Chamber Board of Directors, the H.A. Jones Elementary School Parent’s Council and the Bremen High School Technical Advisory Committee. Senior Project Manager, Geoff Smith, will now also serve as the firm’s Vice-President of Constru...

RKR Planning Services

North Paulding School Cluster How can public school systems make informed decisions regarding the best use of their facilities? At RKR, our Planning Services team has been working to successfully answer this question by taking into account multiple factors such as census data, surrounding school districts, county birth data, home sales, etc, to create custom-designed solutions that meet the specific needs of each school district. For example, with the Polk School District we evaluated individual school enrollment history with anticipated area changes so that a correlation was developed that placed students in their zoned school. The final documents contained easy to read graphs so the data could be interpreted. For the Paulding County School District, our Planning Services team provided projection data to support the staff allocation process, which also helped to develop long range planning opportunities. In addition, a facilities study that we produced for Decatur Ci...

Trends in Construction: Modular and Prefabricated Construction Materials

It is a well‐known fact that the construction industry suffered greatly during the last economic downturn. We have published several articles on the challenges facing us with the skilled labor shortage, but history shows that the construction industry is resilient. When faced with a challenge, we band together and look for ways to overcome and push forward. That same mindset is transforming today’s approach to construction through the innovative use of modular and prefabricated construction materials. Becoming more widely embraced, this method employs off‐site construction where building elements – anything from bathroom pods to exterior walls ‐ are built in a factory and transported to the site to be constructed. Employing prefabricated materials offers many benefits such as fewer disruptions, faster and more consistent production, better quality control, cost mitigation, eco‐friendly processes, improved safety conditions and the real driver, less skilled labor requirements. All ...

A Conversation with Daniel Jackson & Eric McDonald of the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority

Beginning with only four member counties in the late 1990s, the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority (GWGJDA) has grown to represent seven area counties, including: Polk, Haralson, Paulding, Carroll, Heard, Coweta, and Troup. We spoke to Eric McDonald, President & CEO of Greater Haralson Chamber of Commerce, and Daniel Jackson, President & CEO of Carroll County Chamber of Commerce, about the collaborative nature of the Development Authority that allows members to work together on multi-county projects to benefit West Georgia residents. What are your current role and responsibilities as part of the GWGJDA? Eric: I am a supporting staff member for the Greater West Georgia Joint Development Authority. We are an economic development and business growth entity responsible for growing the region’s retail and industrial base. The Board of Directors of the GWGJDA is appointed by the respective county commissions. Supporting staff from each of the economic deve...

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