32 S G M A G A Z I N E | S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT South Georgia Leads the Way in Creating Homegrown Leaders “Many of the participants have had follow-up business opportunities just from hearing from local companies and entrepreneurs throughout the region,” Bass said. “And in return, many local entrepreneurs have gained new clients and business contacts from participants in the program.” Bass said participating in LSGL not only enhances a participant’s leadership skills but also provides an overall professional boost. According to Mary Beth Bass, executive director of One Sumter Economic Development Foundation and LSGL program coordinator, this year’s program was centered on economic development, innovations in agriculture, entrepreneurship, transportation and infrastructure, education and workforce development, and legislative issues. “Networking, hands-down, is the response I hear most from our participants,” said Bass in reference to the program’s benefits. “And not just from the class participants with one another but the business leaders who take time out of their schedules to share about their companies and how locating in South Georgia, specifically, has been essential to their success.” With 62 graduates in the past two years, Bass said the program is providing future networking possibilities. The 2017-2018 South GeorgiaLEADS class held its graduation ceremony at Raisin’ Cane in Lowndes County. With the focus that leadership starts at home, Locate South GeorgiaLEADS (LSGL) has graduated its second class of regional leaders. Developed as a collaboration between Locate South Georgia, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the University of Georgia J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, the LSGL is an eight-month program designed to facilitate awareness of issues that are essential to guiding South Georgia’s future.