October 2020 Features

• Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark: The Future of Energy

  October 30, 2020

  I recently participated in the Energy Forward virtual forum produced by Gas South and Cobb EMC. The discussion was eye opening and the take-away clear. Energy plays a more critical role than ever in site selection decisions and job growth. In many ways, energy investments are actually creating and supporting a “New Georgia Economy.”

• Holiday Travel Season Approaching; Pandemic Remains a Concern, Yet Confidence is Growing

  October 30, 2020

  Georgians are cautiously developing plans for the holiday travel season. A new AAA survey determined that the pandemic, flexibility of parents working from home and virtual school for students are key influencers regarding how comfortable people feel about traveling in the coming months.

• Former La Quinta Inn & Suites Becomes Wingate by Wyndham Hotel

  October 29, 2020

  Randall Associates LLC a Hospitality Company based in Valdosta, GA, today announced that the former La Quinta Inn & Suites at 1800 Club House Drive has become the newest member of the Wingate by Wyndham hotel chain.

• Georgia Power's Paul Bowers to Retire, Succession Plan Announced

  October 29, 2020

  Georgia Power today announced that Chris Womack has been elected by the Georgia Power Board of Directors to succeed Paul Bowers as the company's chairman, president and CEO. Bowers' retirement is scheduled to coincide with Vogtle Unit 3 fuel load, which is expected in April 2021.

• Topgolf, Callaway Golf Announce Blockbuster Merger to Create Golf Industry Giant

  October 29, 2020

  Callaway and Topgolf Entertainment Group today announced that the companies have entered into a definitive merger agreement.

• State’s Public-Private Partnership Provides Immediate Care to Georgians During COVID-19 Crisis

  October 28, 2020

  It was Tuesday morning, March 24. While most Georgians were still learning about a deadly new virus that just landed on American shores, the South Georgia town of Albany had suddenly become the world’s fourth largest epicenter of Covid-19 patients.

• Southeastern Credit Union Supporting New Health Care Sciences Building at Wiregrass

  October 27, 2020

  A lot of construction is taking place on the Valdosta Campus at Wiregrass Georgia Technical College. The campus will open a new high-tech Health Sciences Building Spring Semester, January 2022. The college partners at Southeastern Credit Union are contributing $25,000 for a named classroom in the new building that is currently under construction.

• Georgia International Trade Office Earns Unprecedented Fourth U.S. Department of Commerce Award for Export Services

  October 26, 2020

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development today announced that its International Trade division has earned a President’s “E Star” Award for Export Service from the U.S. Department of Commerce in recognition of “continuing significant contributions to an increase in U.S. exports.

• Georgia Ports Authority Holds First Virtual State of the Port

  October 23, 2020

  In its first-ever virtual State of the Port Address, co-hosts Griff Lynch and Will McKnight took the Georgia Ports Authority’s online audience for an on-terminal view of infrastructure advancements the Authority is making to accommodate record container growth.

• Chick-fil-A Sauces Coming to Stores in Georgia

  October 23, 2020

  Chick-fil-A announced that bottles of its signature sauces will soon be available for purchase at retailers nationwide, with 100% of the royalties Chick-fil-A, Inc. receives from third-party retail sales supporting scholarships for Chick-fil-A restaurant Team Members.

• Gov. Kemp Names Brian Marlowe Leader of Rural Strike Team

  October 22, 2020

  Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp joined Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) Commissioner Pat Wilson during an event in the North Wing of the State Capitol to name Tift County Development Authority President and CEO Brian Marlowe as the new Deputy Commissioner for Rural Georgia.

• Georgia Council for the Arts Awards 77 Organizations More than $585,000 in Grant Funding

  October 22, 2020

  Georgia Council for the Arts, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, today announced the recipients of the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities grant awards for fiscal year 2021.

• Delta’s Blocked Middle Seats, Filtered Air & Safety Tips Bring Comfort & Joy to Holiday Travel

  October 21, 2020

  If it’s been a while since you’ve traveled, Delta is ready to take you to your loved ones safely. That’s why the airline is offering these tips – the four C’s of holiday travel – to help flyers navigate the winter travel season with comfort and joy:

• CEO Confidence Up Sharply Heading into Q4

  October 21, 2020

  The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence in collaboration with The Business Council rose sharply in the final month of Q3, after a moderate increase in the first month of Q3. The measure stands at 64, up from 45. (A reading above 50 points reflects more positive than negative responses.)

• Superintendent Woods: We Must Reimagine K-12 Education in Georgia

  October 20, 2020

  Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia's students, families, and educators have risen to meet this unprecedented moment.

• Georgia Public Policy Foundation: For Millions, Healthcare Waivers Offer Hope

  October 19, 2020

  Georgians received a dose of good news Thursday, as Gov. Brian Kemp announced federal approval of his plans to increase healthcare access and affordability. Seema Verma, head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, joined Kemp to put the Trump administration’s official seal of approval on the pair of “waivers” – one to allow for a new, more cost-effective way to cover some of Georgia’s working poor, and another to extricate Georgia from some of the strictures of the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare.

• GDEcD Announces 2020 Georgia ‘GEAR Award’ Winners

  October 19, 2020

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced the five companies who earned 2020 Georgia Emerging Automotive Recognition (GEAR) Awards.

• VSU Celebrates $383.5 Million Impact on Area Economy

  October 16, 2020

  How much does Lowndes County and the surrounding areas benefit economically from hosting Valdosta State University?

• Gov. Kemp, CMS Administrator Verma Announce Approval of Georgia Healthcare Reform Package

  October 16, 2020

  Governor Brian P. Kemp joined Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma to announce federal approval of Georgia's healthcare reform package.

• VSU Announces Series of Fall Commencement Ceremonies

  October 15, 2020

  Valdosta State University will celebrate its 230th Commencement with a series of four in-person ceremonies — three for undergraduate students and one for graduate students — on Monday, Dec. 14, at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.

• Gov. Kemp Announces $1.5 Billion in CARES Act Funding to Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund

  October 15, 2020

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that as much as $1.5 billion in Coronavirus Relief Funds from the CARES Act would be allocated to repay borrowing for the Georgia Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund to prevent increases in state and federal unemployment taxes.

• University System of Georgia State Economic Impact Grows to $18.5B

  October 14, 2020

  The University System of Georgia (USG) recorded a statewide economic impact of $18.5 billion for fiscal year 2019, a 4.5 percent increase from fiscal year 2018. USG also generated 157,770 jobs.

• Georgia Downtown Developments: Businesses & Local Governments Adapt for the Future

  October 13, 2020

  Downtown small businesses are having to adapt to weather this COVID storm for business survival. It is important for city officials to encourage local businesses to try tools that have been working, like transitioning to e-commerce and carry-out for restaurants.

• Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark: Secure Your Vote, Georgia

  October 13, 2020

  2020 will go down in history as one of humanity’s most challenging moments in time. We started the year with a strong economy, and in the blink of an eye we were crippled by a global pandemic. Needless to say, this year we have witnessed extreme highs and lows; yet, we are still here, still moving forward one step at a time, and still with one challenge before us as we usher in 2021.

• Technology Association of Georgia Announces Converge Line Up

  October 09, 2020

  Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) expands keynotes, announces compelling content sessions and issues call for nominations for its annual Diversity and Inclusion awards for Converge, which takes place Nov 9th– 10th.