November 2024 Features

• A Tribute to the Life and Leadership of Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson

  November 25, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Labor mourns the passing of Commissioner Bruce Thompson, a visionary leader, devoted mentor, and dedicated public servant. While his entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence will be deeply missed, Commissioner Thompson’s greatest legacy lies in his ability to foster a culture of family and belonging for those who worked alongside him.

• Greater Valdosta United Way Shifts Focus to Disaster Relief Amid Unprecedented Weather Events

  November 22, 2024

  In response to the weather events that have impacted South Georgia over the last year and a half, the Greater Valdosta United Way has added disaster relief as one of its primary focus areas.

• 2.3M Georgians Expected to Travel for Thanksgiving

  November 22, 2024

  AAA expects record-setting travel numbers for Thanksgiving. Over 2.3 million Georgians are forecast to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. That’s an all-time high for Thanksgiving and nearly 40,000 more travelers than last year.

• goBeyondProfit Honors Bernie Marcus’ Legacy of Generosity

  November 22, 2024

  As a Founding Ambassador for goBeyondProfit, Bernie Marcus issued both a challenge to fellow business leaders and offered a road map for leading with generosity across a lifetime.

• Wiregrass Georgia Technical College Vice President Publishes New Book, Launches History Series Event

  November 21, 2024

  Wiregrass Georgia Technical College is proud to announce the publication of a new book by its own Vice President of Economic Development, Michael Williams, Jr. His latest work, Ocmulgee: History and Legacy, was published on November 4, 2024.

• Economic Development Expert Tapped to Lead Georgia Transportation Alliance

  November 21, 2024

  The Georgia Transportation Alliance, an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, selected Georgia economic development veteran Joseph Santoro to serve as the new Executive Director of the Georgia Transportation Alliance.

• 2025 Travel Outlook: Squaremouth Predicts Traveler's Destination and Spend Trends

  November 21, 2024

  From historic hurricanes, growing anti-tourism sentiments, frequent travel disruptions and ever-rising trip costs, 2024 has been a challenging year for travelers. Looking ahead into the new year, Squaremouth, the nation's leading travel insurance marketplace, reveals their top 3 biggest travel predictions for 2025.

• City of Valdosta Main Street Celebrates Small Business Saturday on November 30th

  November 20, 2024

  City of Valdosta Main Street invites the community to participate in Small Business Saturday on November 30th, starting at 10:00 AM. This annual event highlights the unique offerings of local small businesses and encourages residents to support the vibrant downtown economy.

• Paving the Way: An Update from Georgia Department of Transportation

  November 20, 2024

  At the recent On Topic Luncheon presented by Porter Steel, GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry provided insights on Georgia’s transportation advancements for 2025. Speaking to an audience of over 160 business professionals, McMurry highlighted several key projects that emphasize infrastructure improvements across the region, particularly in Gwinnett County.

• Study: CEOs Optimistic Amid Uncertainty

  November 20, 2024

  Middle market companies are confident in their ability to navigate inflation and a potential recession, according to a survey by Moss Adams, one of the largest accounting, consulting and wealth management firms in the nation.

• State Medical Cannabis Registry Reaches 25,000

  November 19, 2024

  Georgia’s medical cannabis program has hit an important milestone. Enrollment in the registry of patients eligible to receive the drug hit 25,000 during the weekend. That growth means the Georgia Access to Medical Cannabis Commission, the state agency that operates the program, is authorized to open additional dispensaries.

• Ace Electric Named Top Specialty Contractor

  November 18, 2024

  Ace Electric, Inc. was named Top Specialty Contractor for 2024 by Engineering News Record’s Southeast Region and received their award at the ENR Best Projects Ceremony in Orlando on October 29th.

• Georgia Chamber Hosts the 2024 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit

  November 18, 2024

  On November 13th, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2024 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit. The summit took place at the Georgia International Convention Center, with more than 250 people in attendance.

• Board of Regents Elects New Chair and Vice Chair for 2025

  November 14, 2024

  The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia elected current Vice Chair T. Dallas Smith to a one-year term as the Board’s new chair and Regent David Dove to a one-year term as the Board’s vice chair.

• Georgia's Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.6% for Third Consecutive Month

  November 14, 2024

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

• Charlie Harper: 2024 Wasn’t As Close As Expected. 2026 Is a New Game Entirely

  November 14, 2024

  It wasn’t so close after all. Despite the insistence of many professional pundits and most major media outlets, the 2024 elections for President and control of Congress were called relatively early. By Wednesday morning, the word “mandate” was being used frequently as part of the instant analysis.

• SGMC Health Named 2024 Large Hospital of the Year by Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals

  November 13, 2024

  SGMC Health has been recognized as the 2024 "Large Hospital of the Year" by the Georgia Alliance of Community Hospitals during its 41st Annual Conference. SGMC Health was selected based on its proven record of innovative healthcare solutions, focus on improved patient experience, and the vital role it plays in enhancing the quality of life for South Georgians.

• Peach Bowl, Inc. Commits $2 Million for 2024-25 College Football Season

  November 13, 2024

  Peach Bowl, Inc., college football’s most charitable bowl organization, today announced a commitment of $2 million in donations for the 2024-25 college football season.

• Georgia Power’s CEO Kim Greene: We Are Here for Georgia. We are Here for You.

  November 13, 2024

  I can’t recall a time in my career, or maybe my life, when I’ve seen anything like Hurricane Helene. It was impossible to believe unless you saw it up close, and even then, it is difficult to describe — pictures simply don’t do it justice. I visited some of the hardest-hit areas in Georgia in the days following the storm, and what I saw broke my heart.

• Join Barbara Dooley in Supporting Georgia’s Foster Youth and Our Future Workforce

  November 12, 2024

  Barbara Dooley – a beloved Georgia philanthropist, community leader, and passionate advocate for foster youth – believes that education and confidence are the keys to unlocking the potential of these young adults.

• Georgia Power’s First Battery Energy Storage System Reaches Commercial Operation

  November 11, 2024

  Georgia Power leaders joined elected officials from the Georgia Public Service Commission, Georgia legislature, and Talbot and Muscogee counties on Thursday to mark commercial operation of the company’s first “grid-connected” battery energy storage system.

• Wild Adventures Christmas Wild & Bright Returns

  November 08, 2024

  Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta announced its annual holiday event is making a return adding new attractions to the largest Christmas celebration in the region.

• Young GameChangers Conclude Program with Final Presentations in Valdosta

  November 07, 2024

  The GeorgiaForward Young GameChangers Program held its final presentations on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Rainwater Conference Center. This marked the culmination of months of dedicated effort by participants committed to enhancing Valdosta’s growth and community impact.

• Trump Carries Georgia Four Years After Losing Peach State

  November 06, 2024

  Former President Donald Trump won Georgia’s 16 electoral votes Tuesday, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris by a narrow margin, several national news outlets projected before 1 a.m. Wednesday.

• Georgia Property-Tax Relief Measures Headed to Easy Victories

  November 06, 2024

  Georgia voters were poised to overwhelmingly approve two tax-relief measures on the statewide ballot Tuesday night, while a third tax-related proposal held a smaller lead.