Joint GEMs & GRACE workshop for developing Georgia’s critical mineral economy
The Spring 2025 Georgia Partnerships for Essential Minerals (GEMs) and the Growing Resilience in America’s Critical Mineral Economy (GRACE) Engine workshop is hosted by the Georgia Institute of Technology, Middle Georgia Regional Commission, Georgia State University, University of Georgia, and the Georgia Mining Association.
This one-day event will bring together a diverse group of stakeholders, including industry partners from multiple sectors, non-profit organizations, regional economic development agencies, national labs, universities, and technical colleges. It provides a unique opportunity to connect, collaborate, and engage in the latest developments in the critical minerals sector. Whether you are interested in cutting-edge research, networking with peers, or exploring new trends and innovations, this event is designed to offer valuable insights for everyone involved.
For any questions or inquiries, please contact Prof. Yuanzhi Tang at yuanzhi.tang@eas.gatech.edu.
We look forward to welcoming you in Macon.
Date
April 29, 2025
Directions
Workshop location: Middle Georgia Regional Commission, 3661 Eisenhower Parkway, Suite MB102, Macon GA 31206
Parking: There is ample parking, but we recommend that you use the entrance on Mercer University Drive next to the Library Annex and Courthouse Annex. The link below for directions will take you to the correct door.
Direction: click here.
Agenda
| 8:40 – 9:20 am | Breakfast and Registration |
| 9:20 – 9:30 am | Welcome Greg Boike, Director of Planning & Public Administration, Middle Georgia Regional Commission Lee Lemke, Executive Vice President, Georgia Mining Association |
| 9:30 – 9:45 am | Introduction |
| 9:45 – 10:25 am | Keynote Costas Simoglou, Director, Center of Innovation for Energy Technology, Georgia Department of Economic Development |
| 10:25 – 10:40 am | GEMs / GRACE Overview Yuanzhi Tang, Professor; Director, Center for Critical Mineral Solutions |
| GRACE Approach 10:25 – 10:40 am | Use-Inspired R&D Scott McWhorter, Federal Opportunities Lead, Strategic Energy Institute 10:40 – 10:55 am | Translation & Commercialization Andy Marshall, Executive Director, Georgia Cleantech Innovation Hub 10:55 – 11:10 am | Community Engagement Debra Lam, Executive Director, Partnership for Innovation |
| 11:10 – 11:20 am | Break and networking |
| Ecosystem Highlights 11:20 – 11:35 am | Invited talk Steven Ferguson, Managing Director, Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing 11:35 – 11:50 pm | Invited talk Nortey Yeboah, Principal Engineer, Southern Company 11:50 – 12:05 pm | Invited talk Will James, Sr Fellow Program Manager, Savannah River National Lab |
| 12:05 – 1:20 pm | Lunch |
| GRACE Approach (cont’d) 1:20 – 1:35 pm | Workforce Development Yuanzhi Tang; Alice Zimmerman, Director of Evaluation, Technical College System of Georgia 1:35 – 1:50 pm | Ecosystem Sustainability Justin Burns, VP Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Georgia Research Alliance |
| Ecosystem Highlights 1:50 – 2:05 pm | Invited talk Laura Mason, President, The Ginn Technology Group 2:05 – 2:20 pm | Invited talk Chris Gaffney, Managing Director, Supply Chain and Logistics Institute 2:20 – 2:35 pm | Invited talk Matt McDowell, Professor; Director, Advanced Battery Center |
| 2:35 – 3:15 pm | Breakout Discussion |
| 3:15 – 4:00 pm | Report Back and Next Steps |
| 4:00 pm | Adjourn |