Wednesday, April 9, 2025–6:51 p.m.
-Adam Carey, Rome News-Tribune-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com
Rome-Floyd Development Authority President and CEO Missy Kendrick is leaving the authority to take a similar job in Columbus.
Kendrick has been with the authority for almost six years, starting Aug. 1, 2019, after serving nearly three years as president of the Development Authority of Polk County.
“Missy has done an amazing job for us in the last five-plus years,” RFDA Board Chair Jimmy Byars said Tuesday. “This new opportunity for her is a natural result of her success here.”
Prior to moving to Polk County in September 2016, she served as executive director of the Barnesville-Lamar County Industrial Development Authority for 11 years and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority for almost four years.
Byars said Kendrick will be starting her new job in May.
“Missy is fully cooperating with us during the transition as she moves on,” Byars said. “Now obviously, we wish she was staying, but this is a terrific opportunity for her and we all wish her well.”
Floyd County has experienced significant growth in the last six years, and Byars said he expects more of the same in the future.
“We have a lot of folks looking at Rome and Floyd County because we live in a great place,” Byars said. “And we expect what Missy helped to start will continue to grow.”
What draws people to Rome is the fact that everyone in the city and county works together well, he said.
“It’s pretty evident… when a business is looking at coming to Rome and Floyd County,” Byars said, “we’ve got a lot to offer, and we know it.”
Kendrick issued a statement Tuesday night thanking the Rome and Floyd County officials she has worked with over the last six years and commending their focus on economic development.
“I have really enjoyed my time in Rome. We have a fabulous team along with board members who have supported our efforts,” Kendrick said. “To top it all off, I have made some personal friends who will remain in my life, and I am so very thankful for that.”