October 2024 Features

• Georgia Chamber Announces Key Leadership Promotions to Advance Public Affairs & Foundation Initiatives

  October 31, 2024

  Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the promotion of three dedicated team members who exemplify the values and principles of the “Georgia Chamber Way.” As the Georgia Chamber works to strengthen our mission of advocating for free enterprise, fostering economic resilience, and supporting the future of Georgia’s business community, these servant-hearted leaders will play essential roles in driving forward our agenda and strategic vision.

• Leadership Georgia Names the Class of 2025

  October 30, 2024

  The Leadership Georgia Board of Trustees is proud to announce the participants for the organization’s Class of 2025. Each year, Leadership Georgia seeks out emerging leaders and selects sixty-three participants from a pool of several hundred applicants to participate in the yearlong leadership program.

• Apply for a Complimentary Georgia Chamber Membership | Small Diverse Businesses

  October 30, 2024

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Fiserv are proud to offer complimentary Chamber memberships to small, diverse businesses based in Georgia.

• GMA's Larry Hanson: Public Safety - Serving and Protecting Georgia’s Cities, Citizens and Visitors

  October 29, 2024

  As I travel across Georgia throughout the year and currently for our fall district meetings, one issue that consistently rises to the top in many conversations is public safety. Public safety is a fundamental part of what makes Georgia’s cities great places to live.

• Valdosta to Host Sounds for Lowndes Concert for Hurricane Helene Relief

  October 28, 2024

  The City of Valdosta, in collaboration with United Way and a host of local underwriters, is proud to announce the Sounds for Lowndes Concert to support relief efforts for those impacted by Hurricane Helene.

• SGMC Health Launches "Hello World" Texting to Enhance Patient Communication

  October 28, 2024

  SGMC Health is pleased to announce the launch of its new text messaging platform, powered by Epic's Hello World. This communication advancement will make it easier for patients to stay engaged with their care, receive timely updates, and take necessary actions without requiring internet access.

• From Global to Local: International Businesses Grow Globally in Georgia

  October 25, 2024

  With more than 5,000 participants representing 96 global markets, the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit was an opportune moment for Georgia to demonstrate why it has been the No. 1 state for business for over a decade to companies entering the U.S.

• Technical College System of Georgia Recognizes 23 Alumni as 2024 Alumni of the Year

  October 25, 2024

  The Technical College System of Georgia announced 23 recipients as Alumni of the Year from its 22 colleges. The award honors exceptional alumni who have made significant contributions in their fields, demonstrated leadership in their communities, and serve as ambassadors of technical education in Georgia.

• Augusta University Expert Talks Hurricane Helene’s Impact on the Supply Chain

  October 25, 2024

  According to Rick Franza, PhD, professor in the James M. Hull College of Business and an expert on operations and supply chain management, said lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge at the Port of Baltimore incident earlier this year can help with mitigation of risk and recovering during these problematic times

• Lowndes County Industries Assist with Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

  October 24, 2024

  In the wake of Hurricane Helene, which swept through Lowndes County, local industries have rallied to support the community. After ensuring the safety of their employees, many businesses contributed to recovery efforts.

• New Committee to Explore Impacts of AI on Georgia Courts

  October 24, 2024

  Georgia Chief Justice Michael Boggs Tuesday announced the formation of an ad hoc committee that will assess the risks and benefits of using artificial intelligence in the state’s court system.

• AT&T Donates $25,000 to Support Second Harvest of South Georgia and Communities Affected by Hurricane Helene

  October 23, 2024

  AT&T is contributing $25,000 to Second Harvest of South Georgia to assist Georgia communities impacted by Hurricane Helene.

• Gov. Kemp Announces Georgia Surplus Tax Relief Rebates

  October 23, 2024

  For the second time in three years, Gov. Brian Kemp is giving Georgians a tax rebate worth more than $1 billion.

• Fostering Success Act, Inc. Announces Partnership with University System of Georgia Foundation

  October 22, 2024

  Fostering Success Act, Inc., announced it has signed a partnership agreement with the University System of Georgia Foundation. The joint venture will enable the two organizations to raise funds for youth who have aged out of the state’s foster care system to attend one of Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities with a scholarship or financial aid beginning in the immediate academic year.

• SBA Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed Visits Valdosta and Savannah, Highlights Federal Disaster Recovery Efforts

  October 21, 2024

  On Wednesday, SBA Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed visited Valdosta, Georgia to meet with local officials, small business owners, homeowners, and renters who were impacted by Hurricane Helene.

• Energizing Our Cities for a Stronger Georgia

  October 21, 2024

  As the dust settles from the recent political conventions, it’s clear that the political parties have emerged with renewed vigor, ready to champion their candidates and their vision for the future. In a similar vein, GMA’s Annual Convention, Cities United Summit, training opportunities and other gatherings bring city officials from across the state together to learn, share, and strategize about the future of our cities.

• New Study Highlights Georgia’s Nonprofit Arts, Culture Impact

  October 18, 2024

  Reported by the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s strategic arts arm, Georgia Council for the Arts, Georgia’s nonprofit arts and culture sector delivers a minimum economic impact of at least $1.27 billion and supports nearly 20,000 jobs.

• Georgia's Job Market Hits New Highs as Unemployment Holds Steady at 3.6% in September

  October 18, 2024

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's September unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, unchanged from a revised 3.6 percent in August. The unemployment rate was five-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Andrea Schruijer Steps Down as VLCDA Executive Director

  October 17, 2024

  The Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority has announced that Andrea Schruijer, Executive Director, will step down to begin a new position as Director of Business Development at Gideon Constructors.

• A Lesson From Jimmy Carter As He Celebrates A Century Of Life

  October 17, 2024

  Former President Jimmy Carter celebrated his 100 th birthday earlier this month. It’s a goal few of us will ever reach. Even fewer will get to spend four of our years as the leader of the free world.

• Early Voting in Georgia Off to Brisk Start

  October 16, 2024

  Early voting is off to a record-breaking start in Georgia, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger reported Tuesday. By 3:30 p.m., about 234,000 Georgians had cast their ballots on the first day of the early voting period.

• Sonny Deriso & Craig Menear Named 2025 Georgia Trustees

  October 15, 2024

  The Georgia Historical Society announced that Walter M. “Sonny” Deriso, Jr., Banker, Attorney, and Civic Leader, and Craig A. Menear, Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Home Depot, will be inducted by the Georgia Historical Society and the Office of the Governor as the newest Georgia Trustees on April 26, 2025, at the Trustees Gala.

• Valdosta Board of Education Achieves 2024 GSBA Exemplary Board Recognition

  October 11, 2024

  Valdosta City Schools is thrilled to announce that the Valdosta Board of Education has achieved the prestigious 2024 Exemplary School Board recognition from the Georgia School Boards Association.

• Georgia Agriculture & Forestry Industry Suffer Estimated $6.5B in Damages from Helene

  October 11, 2024

  Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper in coordination with Governor Brian Kemp, the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, and the Georgia Forestry Commission announced the preliminary estimate of Hurricane Helene’s economic impact on Georgia Agriculture is $6.46 billion.

• Gov. Kemp Hosts Final Roundtable on Litigation Reform

  October 10, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp hosted leaders from Georgia businesses and policymakers for a roundtable discussion on civil litigation and its impact on the state's economic wellbeing. This was the final of three roundtable events announced by Governor Kemp for this Fall.