September 2024 Features

• AG Chris Carr Warns of Storm-Related Scams in Anticipation of Hurricane Helene

  September 30, 2024

  Attorney General Chris Carr is warning Georgians to be on the lookout for possible storm-related scams in anticipation of Hurricane Helene.

• Helene Leaves 11 Dead in Georgia, Fallen Trees, Flooded Roads

  September 30, 2024

  Hurricane Helene moved out of Georgia Friday morning, leaving in its wake 11 dead, toppled trees that caused widespread power outages and massive flooding.

• Georgia Power Releases Key Estimated Damage Statistics from Hurricane Helene as Restoration Progress Continues

  September 30, 2024

  Georgia Power's restoration efforts following Hurricane Helene continued Sunday, with the company having restored service to approximately 690,000 customers since the start of the storm. This rapid response has been possible through the implementation of new "smart grid" technologies and the quick work of pre-positioned teams.

• Georgia Chamber Cancels Rural Prosperity Summit

  September 30, 2024

  Following the tremendous damage caused by Hurricane Helene throughout Georgia and the necessity to prioritize resources for frontline emergency workers, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the cancellation of the 2024 Rural Prosperity Summit in Tifton.

• Governor Kemp Declares State of Emergency as Helene Approaches

  September 26, 2024

  Gov. Brian Kemp declared a state of emergency in Georgia Tuesday with Tropical Storm Helene expected to make landfall along Florida’s Gulf Coast as a Category 3 hurricane Thursday night.

• Upcoming Statewide Day of Giving Showcases How Nonprofits Impact Communities and Drives Support for Them in the Giving Season

  September 24, 2024

  Fall is in the air, marking the kickoff to the end-of-the-year giving season for nonprofits. Nonprofits generally raise 15% or more of their total annual budgets during November and December – and almost entirely from individual donors – so this is a make-or-break time for charities supporting local needs.

• Georgia Power Foundation Invests in Waters for Georgia with Grants

  September 23, 2024

  The Georgia Power Foundation has announced the recipients of its Waters for Georgia grant program – The Trust for Public Land and the Seabrook Village Foundation.

• Work & Politics: Randstad US Reveals How Political Talks Shape Psychological Safety at Work

  September 23, 2024

  Randstad US, a global partner for talent, today revealed insights from its nationwide survey on psychological safety in the workplace within the context of political conversations.

• Today’s Employees Value Quality of Life More Than Compensation

  September 20, 2024

  A new study by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO finds that 51% of employees left a job due to a lack of generosity to employees, in large part to seek out a better quality of life. So, we asked employees about their pursuit of quality of life, including what, if any, sacrifices they were willing to make regarding compensation to achieve it.

• Georgia Maintains Top Business Ranking - Jobs for Georgians Remain a Top Priority

  September 20, 2024

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's August unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, up two-tenths from a revised 3.4 percent in July. The unemployment rate was six-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Inaugural Georgia AIM Week to Showcase AI Technology in Manufacturing

  September 19, 2024

  A series of events across Georgia will highlight the use of artificial intelligence in manufacturing and how it can transform communities and jobs.

• Georgia Breaks Tourism Records for Second Straight Year

  September 18, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing that the state broke tourism records for the second year in a row and maintained its No. 5 market share ranking among all 50 states and Washington, D.C., for the fourth consecutive year.

• USG Foundation Raises $1.85M, Honors Chick-fil-A’s Dan Cathy & Reveals $10M Partnership for Foster Youth

  September 17, 2024

  The 20th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala has raised $1.85 million from generous sponsors to support and provide need-based scholarships for University System of Georgia students across the state. The USG Foundation also announced a $10 million partnership with Fostering Success Act, Inc., to establish a first-of-its-kind scholarship fund within the system for foster youth in Georgia.

• Gov. Kemp Celebrates Top State for Business Ranking at Workforce Summit

  September 16, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp delivered the keynote address at the second annual Governor's Workforce Summit, during which he announced that Georgia has been named the No. 1 state for business for the 11th consecutive year by Area Development magazine.

• Unlocking the Power of Employee Assistance Programs

  September 13, 2024

  Nearly two-out-of-three Americans are uncomfortable with the level of emergency savings in their bank accounts according to a recent report, with 27% of adults not having any emergency savings at all.

• Gov. Kemp Hosts Roundtable on Healthcare Civil Litigation Issues

  September 13, 2024

  Joined by other state leaders, Governor Brian P. Kemp hosted leaders from Georgia's healthcare industry today for a roundtable discussion on civil litigation policies impacting the state's healthcare providers and affordability for hardworking Georgians.

• Athens Academy Students Launch Composting Program

  September 12, 2024

  After realizing that the plates used for lunches in Athens Academy’s Tillman Center lunchroom were compostable, seniors Marie and Nina Rutledge recognized that a composting program would significantly reduce the school’s food waste.

• 2024's Georgia Grown Conference Highlights Networking & Collaboration Among Georgia's Ag Community

  September 12, 2024

  On August 28-29, 2024, the Georgia Grown program held the "Growing Together: A Georgia Grown Conference" at the Columbus Convention Center. The event brought together Georgia Grown members from across the state.

• 2024 State of the Community Event to Focus on Growth and Development in Columbia County

  September 11, 2024

  The Columbia County Chamber of Commerce is set to host its annual State of the Community event on Thursday, September 12 from 4:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Columbia County Exhibition Center in Grovetown.

• Consultants Rank the “Top States for Doing Business” — Georgia Ranks #1

  September 11, 2024

  Area Development, the leading site selection and facility planning publication, announces the results of its 2024 Top States for Doing Business survey of location consultants. Georgia retains the #1 spot overall, dominating several key categories, including business incentives programs, logistics and infrastructure, and workforce training programs.

• Georgia Downtown Association Wraps Up a Dynamic 2024 Conference

  September 10, 2024

  The 2024 Georgia Downtown Conference, held in the charming city of Thomasville, brought together downtown development leaders and enthusiasts from across the state. This year’s conference resulted in an engaging, insightful conference concluding with an awards ceremony.

• GMSDC Announces the 2024 Spirit of Alliance Award Winners

  September 10, 2024

  The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council hosted the 42nd Spirit of Alliance Awards on August 28th at the World Headquarters of The Coca-Cola Company in midtown Atlanta. The event celebrates the corporations, Minority Business Enterprise firms and supplier diversity professionals that are setting the standard for minority small business development in Georgia.

• How is the Economic Impact of the Childcare & Maternal Health Crisis in Georgia Affecting Your Business?

  September 06, 2024

  By investing in expanded maternal health services and childcare support, Georgia companies can not only improve employee well-being but also boost their bottom line.

• Eight BBGA Lawyers Recognized on Best Lawyers National Lists

  September 04, 2024

  Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C. is pleased to announce that six lawyers have been included in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and two lawyers have been recognized on The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch list for 2025.

• Hyundai Reveals First Look at the Hyundai IONIQ 5, First Vehicle to Be Produced at Metaplant Site

  September 04, 2024

  Hyundai announced the release of the refreshed 2025 IONIQ 5, including a rugged new IONIQ 5 XRT variant, ideal for venturing further off the beaten path. The IONIQ 5 will be the first model range manufactured at the brand-new Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America facility in Georgia.