May 2024 Features

• Utility Plastics to Invest $20 Million in New Valdosta Facility, Creating Over 60 Jobs

  May 31, 2024

  The Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority announced that Utility Plastics, LLC, will invest approximately $20 million to open a facility in Valdosta, creating more than 60 jobs in Lowndes County.

• ATDC Companies Raise $280.2 Million In Investments In 2023

  May 31, 2024

  Startups in the Advanced Technology Development Center current portfolio raised more than $280.2 million in investment capital and created or saved more 2,021 jobs in 2023.

• US Consumer Confidence Rose in May

  May 31, 2024

  "Confidence improved in May after three consecutive months of decline," said Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board. "Consumers' assessment of current business conditions was slightly less positive than last month.

• Jeff Hanson Appointed as New CEO & President of Citizens Community Bank

  May 30, 2024

  Citizens Community Bank announces the appointment of Jeff Hanson as Chief Executive Officer and President. Hanson, a current member of CCB’s Board of Directors, brings over 20 years of experience in the banking industry to his new role.

• Governor Marks Completion of Plant Vogtle Expansion

  May 30, 2024

  Gov. Brian Kemp celebrated the completion of the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion Wednesday while acknowledging the obstacles that had to be overcome in building the first nuclear reactors in the U.S. since the 1980s.

• City of Valdosta Celebrates Annual Government 101 Program Graduates

  May 28, 2024

  The City of Valdosta proudly announces the graduation of participants from its annual Government 101 program, a distinguished initiative led by the Valdosta Mayor and City Staff. This program provides local citizens with a comprehensive understanding of city governance, aiming to foster community engagement and informed civic participation.

• Georgia Agricultural Innovation Center to Bring Farmers From Fresh to Value-Added Markets

  May 28, 2024

  Georgia has a rich agricultural history in fresh produce owing to factors including a favorable climate and long growing season. In rural areas where farms are primarily located, many entrepreneurs have limited access to appropriate business development resources and opportunities to break into value-added markets.

• Chick-fil-A Vidalia Road Race Fundraiser Benefits Paul Anderson Youth Home, Vidalia Heritage Academy and WinShape Camps

  May 28, 2024

  Paul Anderson Youth Home, Vidalia Heritage Academy and WinShape Camps accepted a donation totaling $43,932.18, the proceeds of the 9th Annual Chick-fil-A Vidalia Road Race. Each non-profit received a donation of $14,644.06 after runners, walkers, and scores of community supporters laced up their running shoes and took part in the event in Vidalia.

• City & VLPRA Unveil New Pickleball Courts at McKey Park

  May 23, 2024

  The City of Valdosta and the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority celebrated the grand opening of new pickleball courts at McKey Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday morning.

• Georgia Historical Society’s Georgia History Festival Raises Nearly $2.1M for Statewide Education and Research Services

  May 22, 2024

  The Georgia Historical Society announced that the 2023-2024 Georgia History Festival, which culminated on April 27, 2024, with the Trustees Gala, raised a record $2,095,653 to further the institution’s educational and research mission.

• Hartsfield-Jackson, Airbus, Delta and Plug Power Study Feasibility of Hydrogen Fuel at World’s Busiest Airport

  May 22, 2024

  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Airbus, Delta Air Lines and Plug Power have joined forces to assess the feasibility of hydrogen fueling at the world’s busiest airport in support of advancing a more sustainable future for travel.

• Georgia Chamber Launches New Website Launched to Empower Georgia's Business & Elected Leaders

  May 20, 2024

  Today, we are excited to announce the launch of the Georgia Chamber's new website, designed to provide invaluable data and insights for both business and elected leaders across the state.

• Georgia Scores Top Spot in Competitive Economic Rankings

  May 17, 2024

  Governor Brian P. Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, today announced that the state earned the No. 1 spot in Site Selection’s annual Prosperity Cup rankings for successful investment recruitment in 2023.

• Georgia Employment Hits All-Time High Amid April Job Surge

  May 17, 2024

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's April unemployment rate was 3.1, unchanged for the fourth consecutive month. The unemployment rate was eight-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• AAA: 1.3 Million Georgians will Take to the Roads & Sky for the Unofficial Start of Summer

  May 16, 2024

  AAA forecasts there will be a significant number of Georgians planning to travel for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. According to AAA, 1.3 million Georgians will journey 50 miles or more, which is 52,824 more holiday travelers than the previous year.

• VP of AT&T Southeast States: Screen Time for Kids, Peace of Mind for Parents

  May 15, 2024

  Now that childhood has gone high-tech, some parents feel guilty about all that screen time. If you are a parent nodding your head in agreement, you are not alone.

• Georgia Cities Week Takes Cities to New Heights

  May 10, 2024

  Georgia Cities Week has once again soared across the state, propelled by our communities' collective spirit and pride. The theme, “Soaring to New Heights,” perfectly encapsulates the ambitious endeavors and collective aspirations that marked this annual celebration's 25th anniversary.

• Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown Staff, & Georgia Agribusiness Leaders Explore Emerging Indian Market on US-India Trade Mission

  May 08, 2024

  Last month, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown staff, and several Georgia agribusinesses visited New Delhi, India, on an agribusiness trade mission sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

• Georgia Celebrates Five ‘Small Business ROCK STARS’

  May 07, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development today announced its five 2024 Small Business ROCK STARS as part of the state’s celebration of Georgia Small Business Week 2024, recognized Monday, May 6, through Friday, May 10.

• SBA Georgia Announces 2024 National Small Business Week Winners

  May 06, 2024

  The U.S. Small Business Administration Georgia District Office announced the National Small Business Week 2024 Award Winners, including Small Business Person of the Year, Exporter of the Year, and other small business owners throughout Georgia.

• $39M Public Private Partnership To Bring Fiber Internet to 16,000 Locations in Lowndes County

  May 03, 2024

  About 16,000 locations in Lowndes County, will be able to get high-speed fiber internet for the first time, due to a $39 million public private partnership.

• TCSG Announces 2024 Student of the Year and Instructor of the Year

  May 03, 2024

  The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) announced the state’s top technical college student and top instructor for 2024.

• Event Offers Preview of AI Technology Before its Georgia Tour

  May 02, 2024

  Members of Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM) recently previewed custom technology that will tour the state later this year.

• Gauging the Gaps Between Atlanta and Rural Georgia

  May 01, 2024

  Charlie Hayslett, a former political reporter from the Atlanta Journal and a public relations, public affairs and communications management consultant, delivered a thought-provoking address to the GMA Board of Directors during its meeting in Perry on April 26.