September 2018 Features

  • Athens-based ArunA Bio Raises $5.3M to Fuel Growth & Innovation

    September 28, 2018

    ArunA Bio announced that it has secured $5.3 million to further the development of its neural exosome therapeutic platform and manufacturing processes for a broad range of neurological disorders. The funding was raised from existing angel investors.

  • Synovus Partners with Action Ministries for the Sixth Year for their Feed the Hungry Campaign

    September 27, 2018

    Synovus Bank is working with Action Ministries for a sixth consecutive year in support of the nonprofit’s Feed the Hungry Food Box and SuperPacks programs. Now through October 5th, customers and supporters can visit participating Synovus Bank Locations in the Metro Atlanta and Northwest Georgia regions and donate $5 for a food box to help feed a family for up to five days.

  • Georgia Bio Appoints Maria Thacker Acting President and CEO

    September 27, 2018

    Georgia Bio announced that Maria Thacker Goethe has assumed the role of Acting President and CEO for the trade association and the Georgia BioEd Institute. She will also remain in her capacity as Executive Director for the Georgia Global Health Alliance.

  • State Botanical Garden of Georgia Celebrates Longtime Donors at Giving Tree Tribute

    September 26, 2018

    Six longtime supporters of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia were honored recently during the biennial “Giving Tree” celebration that recognizes patrons who have given their time and money to the garden.

  • Piedmont Healthcare Now Accepting Applications for Community Benefit Grant Program

    September 25, 2018

    Piedmont Healthcare’s community benefit grant program, which aims to improve the health and well-being of the community through direct service grants, is now accepting grants through October 12th. In Fiscal Year 2018, Piedmont provided an estimated $141 million in charity care.

  • Labor Commissioner Butler to Host Employer Summit in Athens on October 3rd

    September 24, 2018

    State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced that a business summit called Employers in The Know will be held in Athens on Oct. 3. The event is another in a series of 12 being held throughout the state.

  • Former Commander of NSA Georgia to Lead Georgia Cyber Center

    September 24, 2018

    Col. Eric Toler, former commander of NSA Georgia, has been named executive director of the Georgia Cyber Center. He will begin his new position on Oct. 1st. In his new role, Col. Toler will work with Augusta University, Augusta Technical College and Georgia Technology Authority executive stakeholders to define and execute the overall strategy, vision, mission and goals for the center’s programs and partnerships.

  • Georgia Named Top State for Business for Fifth Consecutive Year

    September 21, 2018

    Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Georgia has been named the No. 1 state for business for the fifth year in a row by Area Development, a leading corporate site selection and facility planning publication. Deal was joined by Area Development publisher and president Dennis J. Shea to make the announcement at the 2018 State of the Ports Address in Savannah.

  • Georgia Ports Plan 8 Million TEU Capacity by 2028

    September 21, 2018

    At the Savannah State of the Port event, GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch thanked Governor Deal for his leadership and detailed GPA's 10-year, $2.5 billion plan to expand the capacity of the nation's fastest growing and single largest container terminal from 5.5 million twenty-foot equivalent unit containers to 8 million.

  • Georgia's Graduation Rate Rises to All-Time High

    September 20, 2018

    Georgia’s high school graduation rate increased again in 2018, rising to 81.6 percent from 80.6 percent in 2017. This is an all-time high for Georgia’s graduation rate since the state began using the adjusted cohort calculation now required by federal law. Seventy-four Georgia school districts recorded 2018 graduation rates at or above 90 percent.

  • Georgia Labor Market Sets Records in August

    September 20, 2018

    Georgia Labor Commissioner, Mark Butler, said Thursday that Georgia’s unemployment rate for August dipped below the national number for the first time in 11 years.

  • John Schuerholz and Frank Blake Named 2019 Georgia Trustees

    September 19, 2018

    The Georgia Historical Society announced that Frank Blake, retired Chairman and CEO of The Home Depot, and John Schuerholz, Vice-chairman emeritus of the Atlanta Braves, will be inducted as the newest Georgia Trustees on February 16th, 2019, at the Trustees Gala in Savannah. It is the highest honor the State of Georgia can confer.

  • John McNair Named President & CEO of Community Bankers Association of Georgia

    September 18, 2018

    The Community Bankers Association of Georgia announced that John McNair, executive vice president of member relations at the Independent Community Bankers of America in Washington, D.C., was named CBA president and CEO.

  • Amazon Storefronts: Over a Million Products From Nearly 20,000 U.S. Small Businesses From All 50 States

    September 18, 2018

    Amazon opens “Amazon Storefronts,” a new store for customers to shop exclusively from U.S. small and medium-sized businesses selling on Amazon.

  • GeorgiaForward Forum Focuses on Engaging Georgia's Next Generation of Leaders

    September 17, 2018

    Are you ready for a different kind of leadership conference to help chart Georgia’s future? Make plans now to attend the 2018 GeorgiaForward Forum.

  • Governor Deal Announces New Supreme Court & Appeals Court Appointments

    September 17, 2018

    Gov. Nathan Deal announced the appointment of the Honorable Charlie Bethel as a justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Bethel will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Justice P. Harris Hines. Deal also announced the appointment of the Honorable Christian A. Coomer to the Court of Appeals of Georgia to fill the vacancy created by Bethel’s appointment.

  • Georgia Chamber Named State Chamber of the Year

    September 14, 2018

    The Council of State Chambers, named the Georgia Chamber of Commerce the 2018 State Chamber of Year at its annual award ceremony held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

  • Georgia Chamber Announces the Launch of the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition

    September 13, 2018

    The Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition, a statewide advocacy group focused on ensuring the long-term viability and success of Georgia’s screen entertainment industry.

  • Local Chambers Partner to Host Candidate Forum October 11th

    September 12, 2018

    The Athens-Area and Oconee County Chambers of Commerce are partnering to host a Candidates Forum on Thursday, October 11, 2018, 6:00-8:00 pm. The Forum will be held at Piedmont Athens Regional in the Medical Services Building, 3rd Floor Auditorium, located at 242 King Avenue, Athens, Ga.

  • University System of Georgia Announces Creation of Georgia FinTech Academy

    September 12, 2018

    Chancellor Steve Wrigley and the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia announced the formation of the Georgia FinTech Academy. The academy is a statewide initiative to create a talent pipeline for Georgia’s fast-growing financial technology (fintech) business sector.

  • Attorney General Pledges to Work Toward Health Care Options That Protect Georgians’ Interests

    September 12, 2018

    As Attorney General, I am committed to upholding the rule of law with each decision I make in order to protect the basic principles upon which our nation is founded. It is in keeping with this commitment that I have joined a multi-state coalition challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act, a terribly flawed law that has left Georgians with skyrocketing insurance premiums and dwindling access to health care.

  • Delta Flew a Record Number of Customers This Summer. Here's How.

    September 10, 2018

    Saying this summer was a busy one would be a significant understatement. No matter how you slice the data — number of customers carried, flights flown, destinations served, irregular operation days handled — there were records made and broken during the all-important period between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

  • UGA President’s Innovation District Task Force Presents Recommendations

    September 07, 2018

    The University of Georgia’s Innovation District Task Force has delivered its final report to President Jere W. Morehead. The report outlines a strategic vision and corresponding action steps to create a hub—or district—on campus to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity and industry collaboration.

  • Firefly Trail Inc. Names Historic Preservation Consultant John Kissane as Trail Development Coordinator

    September 06, 2018

    John Kissane, a long-time historic preservation consultant in Northeast Georgia, has been hired to fill the newly created position of Firefly Trail Development Coordinator. In this role, John will work with communities up and down the route of the existing and proposed trail to assist with raising support and funding to complete the 39-mile walking, running and cycling path.

  • Leadership Georgia Announces 2018 Award Winners

    September 06, 2018

    The Leadership Georgia Board of Trustees is pleased to announce recipients of three coveted awards to be presented at this year’s annual gala. Leadership Georgia’s Annual Gala and Awards Presentation has become a signature event for honoring and celebrating the outstanding accomplishments and contributions that have been made by alumni and others to Leadership Georgia, our communities and the state as a whole