May 2021 Features

  • Georgia Secures AAA Bond Rating in 2021

    May 28, 2021

    Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Georgia again secured the highest ratings of AAA with a stable outlook from each of the three main credit rating agencies: FitchRatings, Moody’s Investors Service, and S&P Global Ratings.

  • Civic Program Provides the 101 on Local Government

    May 27, 2021

    Fifteen local citizens graduated from the 12th annual Valdosta Government 101 Citizens Orientation at a ceremony on May 24th, joining more than 250 graduates from the program to date.

  • As Country Rebuilds from Pandemic, Beer Industry Releases New Study on its Economic Impact in Georgia

    May 27, 2021

    Today, the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association released their biennial Beer Serves America report on the economic importance of the nation's beer industry. Bars, restaurants, sporting events and concerts are critical to Georgia’s economy and the U.S. economy at large, particularly as the country looks to recover and safely reopen.

  • State Purchases Economic Development Mega-Site in Bryan County

    May 26, 2021

    Governor Kemp announced the authorization to purchase a 2,284-acre economic development site in partnership between the State of Georgia and the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority (JDA). The strategic purchase of the Bryan County Mega-Site is the largest in state history.

  • SBA Launches ‘Community Navigator Pilot’ Program Application

    May 26, 2021

    The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it is accepting applications for its new Community Navigator Pilot Program. This new initiative, established by the American Rescue Plan, will leverage a community navigator approach to reach our nation’s smallest businesses, with a priority focus on those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, as well as women and veterans.

  • Georgia Power Announces $75 Million Investment in Racial Equity & Social Justice Efforts

    May 25, 2021

    Georgia Power today announced the company and the Georgia Power Foundation are committing to invest $15 million annually from 2021-2025, $75 million over the five-year period, to help advance racial equity and social justice efforts in Georgia.

  • Business Ownership Key for Economic Recovery in U.S. Cities, New Report Shows

    May 24, 2021

    The National League of Cities (NLC) and the Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) released today new guidance for U.S. cities to pursue equitable post-COVID economic recovery through the use of employee ownership.

  • Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Continued to Drop in April

    May 21, 2021

    The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced that Georgia’s unemployment rate dropped another 0.2 percentage points to reach 4.3 percent in April.

  • State Lawmaker Wants to Create Cyberforce in Georgia

    May 20, 2021

    While the gas shortage seems to be easing in most areas across the state following the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline, the concern about future attacks is still on the minds of many state officials. In fact, the incident has driven one state lawmaker to look into ways to address this in Georgia.

  • Partnership for Inclusive Innovation Awards Grant to First-of-its-Kind, Statewide Farm Ownership Program

    May 18, 2021

    Today, the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation announced a $250,000 grant for The Conservation Fund’s Georgia Working Farms Fund program – the first and only program in the U.S. to offer end-to-end support for next-generation farmers, including a path to farm ownership and access to established markets to sell their products.

  • goBeyondProfit Invites Business Executives to CEO Conversation: Navigating Rising Expectations in Georgia

    May 17, 2021

    goBeyondProfit will host a CEO Conversation via Zoom this Thursday, May 20th at 2pm featuring a panel of prominent business executives discussing the recently released corporate generosity report: Navigating Rising Expectations in Georgia.

  • Governor Kemp, State Labor Commissioner Announce Economic Recovery Plan

    May 14, 2021

    Governor Brian P. Kemp & Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Georgia’s plan for reemployment and economic recovery. To address workforce shortages and boost a full economic recovery, state labor officials plan to end Georgia’s participation in federal pandemic unemployment programs, effective Saturday, June 26th.

  • NFIB: Optimism High but Job Openings at Record Highs

    May 13, 2021

    Seeming to confirm concerns about workers being reluctant to re-enter the workforce, the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) latest Small Business Optimism Index rose to 99.8% in April, up 1.6% from March. The index has increased nearly five points since the beginning of the year but nearly half of business owners report job openings going unfilled.

  • VSU Moves Forward with New Performing Arts Center

    May 11, 2021

    Valdosta State University will soon be home to a brand new, state-of-the-art $18.7 million Performing Arts Center.

  • Amazon Fulfillment Center Coming to Savannah With 1,000 Jobs

    May 10, 2021

    Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Amazon will expand its significant presence in Georgia with a new fulfillment center planned in Savannah, Georgia. The new facility will feature innovative Amazon robotics technology and create 1,000 full-time jobs.

  • Chris Clark & Santiago Marquez: Georgia Needs Dreamers for a Robust Economic Recovery

    May 07, 2021

    It has been clear from the start of the pandemic that this is not simply a public health crisis. Businesses of all sizes were negatively impacted and, much like the rest of the country, Georgia’s economy took a hit. Fortunately, Georgia has already begun economic recovery efforts due to our state’s earlier re-opening leading to a 4.8% unemployment rate as opposed to the national rate of 6.2%.

  • How Tech will Smooth the Return to Global Travel: A Q&A with Delta’s Innovation Leader

    May 07, 2021

    With summer ahead and more customers taking steps to return to the skies, Delta has continued to find new ways to welcome customers back with less guesswork.

  • Explore Georgia Launches Marketing Campaign & Travel Guide To Support Tourism Recovery

    May 05, 2021

    To celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, Governor Brian P. Kemp in conjunction with Explore Georgia, the state tourism office within the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced several new initiatives to increase visitation and support tourism recovery in the state.

  • Georgia Celebrates State’s 2021 ‘Small Business ROCK STARS’

    May 04, 2021

    The Georgia Department of Economic Development today announced its six 2021 Small Business ROCK STARS as part of the state’s celebration of this week's Georgia Small Business Week.

  • Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series Returns This Week

    May 03, 2021

    The popular lunch-time concert series is back! The Main Street Office will host the Brown Bag Lunch Concert Series in Downtown Valdosta on Monday, May 3rd through Friday, May 7th.

  • Speakers Announced: U.S. Chamber Global Forum on Economic Recovery

    May 03, 2021

    Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for our inaugural Global Forum on May 18th and 19th.Led by U.S. Chamber CEO and President Suzanne Clark, this year's Global Forum on Economic Recovery will bring together leaders from business and government to discuss the opportunities and impediments to a dynamic global recovery.