Mill Graves is the director of business development for Retail Strategies working with municipal leaders and economic development agencies in Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee to develop and execute their retail recruitment and community development initiatives.
He has more than 10 years of economic development and project management experience with an urban planning background. He is passionate about engaging community stakeholders and helping communities realize their unique potential.
Before Retail Strategies, Mill worked as the Director of Economic & Community Development for Electric Cities of Georgia and their 52 municipal utility members. In this role, he partnered with the State of Georgia to recruit new jobs and investments to the state. He also advised and implemented strategies for rural and urban communities in the areas of retail and industrial site selection, downtown revitalization, and housing.
Mill received a bachelor’s degree in history from Davidson College where he swam competitively, and a master’s degree in city and regional planning from Clemson University. Mill remains active as a Davidson alumnus – CATS are wild!
Originally from Lexington, Kentucky, he enjoys traveling with family and friends, endurance sports, and spending time in any mountain range or river within reach.
Industry Leadership Experience:
ICSC – Georgia P3 Public Sector Chair 2016-2019
ULI- Atlanta Center for Leadership Class 2019-2020
- Day Chair – Regionalism & Infrastructure CFL Cohort 2021
- UrbanPlan volunteer
Georgia Downtown Association – Ex-Officio Board Member 2013-2019
Housing Technical Assistance Committee (various GA cities/communities)
EDGE Development Community Program for GA Municipal Power Cities (Instructor)
Relevant ED Project Activity:
- Retail-commercial, multifamily & mixed-use project announcements resulting in over 2000 jobs, $300M+ investment (2013-2020)
- Managed ED team which achieved industrial project announcements of $750M+ investment and the creation of 2,750 jobs across Georgia (2017-2020)
- Amazon HQ2 State of Georgia Project Team Member (2017-2018)