October 2021 Features

• Valdosta Sees an All-Time Low Unemployment Rate

  October 29, 2021

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Valdosta recorded an all-time low unemployment rate of 2.4 percent, down seven-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 5.8 percent.

• The Supply Chain is Broken. Here’s Why.

  October 29, 2021

  Whether it’s because of COVID cancellations, labor shortages or increased demand, America’s supply chain system is choking. As we approach the busiest shopping season of the year, containers are piling up at the nation’s ports, and many consumers worry their gift purchases will be backlogged or unavailable.

• 2022’s Best States to Live Off the Grid

  October 28, 2021

  Whether you feel overconnected or want to save the planet, moving off the grid can help you both unplug and live more sustainably.

• TCSG Names DeAnnia Clements as President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College

  October 27, 2021

  Technical College System of Georgia Commissioner Greg Dozier has appointed DeAnnia Clements as the third President of Wiregrass Georgia Technical College after serving more than six months as the college’s Interim President.

• Georgia Council for the Arts Awards 67 Organizations $600,000 in Grant Funding

  October 27, 2021

  Georgia Council for the Arts, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced the recipients of the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities grant awards for fiscal year 2022.

• Georgia Public Policy Foundation: Supply Chain Snags and Silver Linings

  October 25, 2021

  Suddenly, “supply chain” and “logistics” have joined “Go Braves” and “Go Dawgs” as some of the most uttered phrases in the state. The first two are not because of a newfound love of drivers and warehouse workers, however, nor because of a winning streak.

• Georgia Sets Record-low Unemployment Rate Achieving Highest Number of Employed Georgians Since Pandemic

  October 22, 2021

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia's unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point to 3.2 percent in September, an all-time low for Georgia dipping below the rate of 3.3 percent in January 2020.

• Colquitt County Rolls Out New Community Brand Identity: Where Life Grows

  October 21, 2021

  Growth. That’s the mindset behind a new brand identity for Colquitt County. The brand and tagline, “Where Life Grows,” reflect the area’s agricultural roots and quality of life. They were borne out of an 18-month process facilitated by UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Archway Partnership.

• Georgia Power Donates to Wiregrass’ New Task Force

  October 19, 2021

  Georgia Power has donated $30,000 to Wiregrass Georgia Technical College to support the College’s economic development effort in their newly formed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force.

• USG Foundation Raises More than $625,000 for Need-Based Scholarships

  October 15, 2021

  The 17th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala on Wednesday evening raised more than $625,000 from generous sponsors and a live auction to support and provide need-based scholarships for University System of Georgia (USG) students across the state.

• CEO Confidence Retreated in Q3, but CEOs Remain Optimistic

  October 14, 2021

  The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence in collaboration with The Business Council retreated in the third quarter of 2021, after hitting an all-time high in Q2. The measure now stands at 67, down from 82.

• Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Presents 20 Statewide Preservation Awards at Ceremony

  October 13, 2021

  The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation presented 20 awards recognizing the best of preservation in Georgia during its 44th annual Preservation Awards ceremony in Macon.

• Recognizing the Economic Importance of Manufacturing in Lowndes County

  October 12, 2021

  In recognition of the importance of the manufacturing industry, Lowndes County Commission Chairman Bill Slaughter and Valdosta Mayor Scott James Matheson signed a proclamation recognizing October 11-15, 2021, as “Manufacturing Week” in Valdosta and Lowndes County.

• Small Businesses Hit By Supply Chain Woes Spending More To Overcome Issues

  October 12, 2021

  In the midst of having to navigate waves of COVID-19 and lockdowns, 87% of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have maintained, or spent more, on transportation, logistics, and expediting to overcome shortages -- this according to the "Logistics: Heads Up" study from Cargo.

• Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark: Challenge Accepted: Solving Georgia's Labor Crisis

  October 11, 2021

  Across our state, workforce shortages persist, impacting every industry and size of business. And though we have witnessed an unprecedented global pandemic, this war for talent existed long before 2020 as employers began to experience mismatched skill sets in their job candidates. Notwithstanding, COVID-19 accelerated this trend.

• Georgia Power to Launch First Battery Energy Storage System on State’s Transmission Grid

  October 11, 2021

  Georgia Power has received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to build, own, and operate a new battery energy storage system. Known as the Mossy Branch Battery Facility, the grid-charging battery system is located on 2.5-acres in Talbot County, near Columbus.

• October's Georgia National Fair & Sunbelt Ag Expo are Headline Events for Ag Community

  October 08, 2021

  With the harvest season in full swing, October brings the welcome return of two of the largest events of the year for the agricultural and environmental science communities: the Georgia National Fair and the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo.

• Resilient Georgia Makes Mental Wellness More Accessible in Georgia by Expanding to 12 Statewide Regions

  October 08, 2021

  Resilient Georgia, a statewide coalition of organizations building a more resilient, trauma-informed Georgia, now reaches more than half of all Georgia counties with 12 regional coalitions ensuring urban and rural communities statewide have access to behavioral health resources.

• GMA Annual Convention: Esteemed Leaders Inducted into the Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame

  October 07, 2021

  On Aug. 9th, five city leaders were inducted into the Municipal Government Hall of Fame, which was established in 1992 to recognize current and past municipal officials who exemplify the very best in public service and who, throughout their careers, have made extraordinary contributions to municipal government, and have been strong supporters of GMA.

• Georgia Historical Society Names Dan Cathy and Shirley Franklin as 2022 Georgia Trustees

  October 06, 2021

  The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) announced today that Dan Cathy, Chairman and CEO of Chick-fil-A, and Shirley Franklin, former Mayor of Atlanta and civic leader, will be inducted by the Georgia Historical Society and Governor Brian Kemp as the newest Georgia Trustees on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the Trustees Gala in Savannah. It is the highest honor the State of Georgia can confer.

• Businesses are Emerging from Pandemic Better Equipped to Handle Advanced Customer Expectations

  October 06, 2021

  The pandemic forced brands to accelerate their digital transformation, leading to vast improvements in brand experiences that are streamlined and connected across in-person and digital touchpoints.

• Mission Alignment & Shared Goals for South Georgia Drive New Class of South GeorgiaLEADS 2.0

  October 05, 2021

  South GeorgiaLEADS 2.0 kicks off on October 13-14 in Moultrie with fourteen participants from across the region who have committed to investing in the future vitality of the region by participating in the first SGL2 class. This call to action for South Georgia is designed to bring together SGL alumni from years past to address real issues facing South Georgia in an action-oriented approach—a first of its kind for leadership development and alumni engagement in Georgia.

• Nominations Now Open for 2022 Small Business ROCK STARS

  October 05, 2021

  Each year the Georgia Small Business ROCK STARS Awards honor a handful of exceptional and impactful small businesses in Georgia. This year, The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Small Business team is calling on our state and community partners to help gather nominations from all corners of the state!

• Gulfstream Introduces Two All-New Business Jets

  October 05, 2021

  Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of General Dynamics, introduced two all-new aircraft, further expanding its ultramodern, high-technology family of aircraft: the Gulfstream G800, the longest-range aircraft in Gulfstream history, and the Gulfstream G400, the first new entrant to the large-cabin class in more than a decade.

• Valdosta Officials Celebrate Georgia Cities Week

  October 04, 2021

  Valdosta officials announced the city will be celebrating “Georgia Cities Week” October 3-9. The city will hold a variety of events throughout the week, including Customer Appreciation Day, River Clean Up, and Public Safety Events. The theme of this year’s Georgia Cities Week is “Shaping the Future.”