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16 graduate from MEO Institute

​Advanced Institute courses to cover public safety, economic development

Sixteen elected officials graduated from the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government during the Municipal Association's Annual Meeting in July. These officials are now eligible to participate in the Advanced MEO Institute. The advanced program graduated its second class in February at Hometown Legislative Action Day. There were 70 Advanced Institute MEO graduates at HLAD and 48 MEO Institute graduates.

Summer 2017 Municipal Elected Officials graduates
July graduates of the MEO Institute include Councilmember Jerry Ashmore of Port Royal, Councilmember R. Trevor Bedell of West Columbia, Councilmember Mona Dukes of Johnsonville, Councilmember Jeff George of Travelers Rest, Mayor Tim Grimsley of Cottageville, Councilmember William Budda Killian of Chester, Councilmember David W. McGhee of North Augusta, Councilmember Garrett Milliken of James Island, Councilmember Dorothy Mills of Lynchburg, Mayor Rick N. Osbon of Aiken, Councilmember Wayne O. Pless of Calhoun Falls, Councilmember Ray C. Rogers of Inman, Councilmember Eddie Scott of Hollywood, Councilmember Ashley Smith of Conway, Councilmember Michael Sweeney of Hardeeville and Councilmember Daniel Wood of Bluffton.

The next Advanced Institute sessions will be offered on October 25. Officials may choose to take one of the two courses offered.

Experienced municipal economic development professionals and consultants will use case studies to illustrate successful strategies in "Advanced Municipal Economic Development." The course will show attendees how to identify and promote a municipality's distinct assets, form partnerships, and use available tools and incentives to encourage private sector investment and job creation.

The other course offered in October, "Public Safety Policy and Administration," will detail the elected official's leadership role and responsibilities related to public safety. Experienced public safety and municipal court professionals will discuss police, fire and municipal court policies; best practices and operations.

Officials must first graduate from the Municipal Elected Officials Institute of Government to participate in the Advanced Institute.

The Advanced Institute courses will be held at the Columbia Marriott on October 25. The Association will offer two additional sessions on February 7, the day after the 2018 HLAD.