Features
-
ACG Atlanta Announces 40 Fastest-Growing Companies in Georgia
May 14, 2018
The Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, a global professional organization with the mission of Driving Middle-Market Growth, announced the 2018 Georgia Fast 40, recognizing the top 40 fastest-growing middle-market companies in Georgia.
-
Georgia’s 2017 Tourism Economic Impact Tops $63M, Breaks Records
May 08, 2018
Gov. Nathan Deal announced that the state’s tourism industry generated a record-breaking $63.1 billion in economic impact in 2017, for an increase of 3.8 percent over last year, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.
-
The Home Depot Co-founder: Profits are Not the Only Measure of Success
May 07, 2018
American businesses are giving and doing more than ever before, like the hundreds of companies that have pledged bonuses, raises, new or expanded benefits, or price reductions since December, when Congress retooled the federal tax code for the first time in 30 years. Those responses are tremendous—they could mean a family’s first vacation or provide hope of paying down medical expenses or debt—but understand that business need not rely on unexpected windfalls before realizing the benefits of giving back.
-
Governor Signs $26 Billion State Budget
May 03, 2018
Gov. Nathan Deal held budget signing ceremonies in Atlanta, Acworth, Blue Ridge, Statesboro and Tifton for next year’s $26 billion state budget. HB 684, the FY 2019 budget, continues Deal’s efforts to invest in Georgia’s citizens and its economy through education and transportation initiatives.
-
Georgia's Credit Unions Finish 2017 with Strong Loan Growth
May 02, 2018
Georgia credit unions finished 2017 with strong loan growth aided by near cyclical highs in U.S. consumer confidence. Lending at Georgia credit unions grew by 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter – eclipsing the third quarter’s 1.5 percent rate but landing short of the 3.2 percent rate in the fourth quarter of 2016, according to data collected by the Credit Union National Association.
-
Billy Payne’s Olympian Triumph
May 01, 2018
The story of Atlanta’s emergence as an international city began, as unlikely triumphs often do, with one man’s improbable dream. And yet, William Porter “Billy” Payne was not known as a dreamer. In fact, before 1987—when he resolved to bring the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games to Atlanta, in defiance of all odds—the then-middle-aged real estate lawyer wasn’t widely known at all.
-
Athens Posts Great March Job Numbers
April 27, 2018
Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Athens set more records in March as most of its critical job measures trended in the right direction again.
-
Zaxby’s Announces New Chief Marketing Officer
April 26, 2018
Zaxby’s Franchising LLC is excited to announce that Joel Bulger has joined the company as the company’s first Chief Marketing Officer. In this new role, Joel will lead the marketing team to strengthen digital and social platforms and drive results through advertising and strategic partnerships.
-
Georgia Employers Association Legal & Benefits Workshop Covers the Bases for Georgia Employers
April 26, 2018
Georgia's thriving economy is producing excellent opportunities for business and associated challenges for business leaders and human resource professionals. Competition for the best employees is intense and the regulatory and legal environment continues to change rapidly. The upcoming Georgia Employers' Association Legal and Benefits Workshop is intended to help Georgia businesses keep all of the bases covered.
-
SOS Brian Kemp Announces Commission Members to Review Georgia's Next Voting System
April 25, 2018
Secretary of State Brian Kemp announced his list of appointees to the Secure, Accessible & Fair Elections Commission, which is tasked with studying options for Georgia’s next voting system. The SAFE Commission will conduct thorough discussions on all options – including the feasibility of using all hand-marked paper ballots to all electronic machines with a voter-verified paper trail – and travel the state to solicit feedback from stakeholders.
-
Georgia Chamber Launches Scorecard Website for 2017-18 Session
April 24, 2018
The Georgia Chamber of Commerce launches its Scorecard website recapping the 2017-2018 Legislative Session and how each legislator voted on top-priority bills for the organization.
-
Piedmont Athens Generates $375M for Local and State Economy
April 23, 2018
Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center generated more than $375 million in revenue for the local and state economy in 2016, according to a report by the Georgia Hospital Association.
-
AG Chris Carr: We Must Continue Efforts to Strengthen State's Response to the Opioid Epidemic
April 23, 2018
As the former Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, I am very proud of the fact that our state is the top state in the nation in which to do business. The recognition highlights the collaborative mindset we apply to economic development in our state, and it highlights the many opportunities that our Georgia families enjoy as a result of having a thriving business environment.
-
State Economic Competitiveness Rankings Reveal Upward Standings Tied to Federal Tax Reform
April 23, 2018
The American Legislative Exchange Council released the much anticipated 2018 edition of Rich States, Poor States. Utah again earns the top spot for states with the best economic outlook, followed by Idaho, Indiana, North Dakota and Arizona. Several states' success in increased rankings can be tied directly to the success of federal tax reform and the resources it gave to lawmakers to cut taxes at the state level.
-
Second Annual Embark Georgia Leadership Conference Set for May
April 20, 2018
A statewide program that supports young people who have been homeless or in foster care pursue their educational goals will again hold its annual leadership conference at UGA.
-
Senator David Perdue: Trump’s North Korea Policy Is Succeeding
April 20, 2018
CIA Director and Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo’s recent meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was an important step to lay the groundwork for the upcoming meeting planned between President Trump and Kim.
-
Georgia Sets Employment Records in March
April 19, 2018
State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that Georgia continued to set records in March even as the number of jobs dipped slightly.
-
Delta Offsets Carbon Emissions for 170,000+ Customers Today
April 19, 2018
Delta is helping customers travel a little cleaner today by offsetting carbon emissions on all domestic travel into and out of seven major airports with high corporate travel demand. The investment comes in honor of Earth Month and the airline's commitment to carbon-neutral growth.
-
AG Chris Carr and Legal Community Commence 7th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy
April 18, 2018
April 16th marked the first day of the 7th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy, a two-week food and fund drive led by Georgia’s legal community. The 2018 competition is presented by the Office of the Attorney General and the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia to benefit the Georgia Food Bank Association.
-
Three Companies Named Georgia’s 2018 Manufacturers of the Year
April 17, 2018
At a luncheon held Thursday, Gov. Nathan Deal named three of Georgia’s leading companies as the 2018 Manufacturers of the Year. Pratt & Whitney in Columbus, Ga., won in the category of 500 or more employees; NIBCO in Greensboro, Ga., won in the category of 150-500 employees; and, Alpharetta-based Metcam won in the category of 150 or fewer employees.
-
Job Prospects Bright for University of Georgia Class of 2018
April 13, 2018
After Taylor Smith graduates from the University of Georgia, he’s headed to the Major Leagues. He’s not an athlete; he’s going to be a research and development analyst for the Tampa Bay Rays. He will run statistics and use data science to help pick the best amateur draftees for the team. It’s a dream come true for a lifelong baseball fan, and a perfect fit for the skills he learned at UGA—where in May he will receive joint bachelor’s and master’s degrees in statistics, a bachelor’s in mathematics, and a certificate in data science.
-
How Georgia is Improving Affordable Housing as a Platform for Health
April 12, 2018
Access to quality, affordable housing is critical for supporting good health. For individuals and families with tight budgets, high housing costs can lead to tough choices between making rent and going to the doctor, between keeping the lights on and buying healthy food, or even between being part of a community or becoming socially isolated.
-
Georgia’s Legacies, Past And Future
April 11, 2018
The last week of Georgia’s 2018 meeting of the General Assembly featured even more symbolism and ceremony than usual. There were the customary farewell speeches by members who won’t be returning after this year’s election. On Tuesday and Wednesday, there was also a casket in the middle of the rotunda.
-
Treasury, IRS Announce First Round of Opportunity Zones Designations for 18 States Including Georgia
April 11, 2018
The U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service designated Opportunity Zones in 18 States. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act created Opportunity Zones to spur investment in distressed communities throughout the country. New investments in Opportunity Zones can receive preferential tax treatment.
-
BankSouth Promotes Kenneth Mann as Market President in Watkinsville
April 10, 2018
BankSouth is pleased to announce the promotion of Kenneth Mann as market president of our Watkinsville branch. With more than 20 years of banking industry experience, Mann most recently served as a relationship manager and commercial lender for BankSouth.