February 2025 Features

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Serves 108M Passengers in 2024

  February 28, 2025

  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport hosted 108.1 million passengers traveling through the Airport in 2024, making it the second-highest annual passenger volume in ATL’s history. This milestone is second only to ATL’s 2019 record of 110 million passengers, reinforcing the Airport’s status as the world’s busiest and most efficient airport.

• U.S. Manufacturing Picked Up in January Driven By Growing Demand

  February 28, 2025

  The GEP Global Supply Chain Volatility Index — a leading indicator tracking demand conditions, shortages, transportation costs, inventories, and backlogs based on a monthly survey of 27,000 businesses — posted -0.21 at the start of the year. This indicates that global supply chains are effectively at full capacity.

• Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Announces Its 2025 List of State's 10 Places in Peril

  February 27, 2025

  The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation released today its 2025 list of 10 Places in Peril in the state.

• SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler Issues Memo on Day One Priorities

  February 27, 2025

  Following her confirmation and swearing-in as the 28th Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration, Kelly Loeffler issued a Day One memo outlining her top priorities for the agency.

• SGMC Health Invests $7.8M in Advanced Bed Upgrades to Enhance Patient Care

  February 26, 2025

  Last week, SGMC Health began a phased installation of more than 300 new patient beds across its campuses. The $7.8 million investment in Centrella Smart+ Hospital Beds underscores the system's unwavering commitment to elevating patient safety and care while optimizing staff experience and efficiency.

• Chief Justice Michael Boggs Announces Resignation from the Supreme Court of Georgia

  February 26, 2025

  Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs announced today that he will resign from the Supreme Court of Georgia effective March 31st, which is the last day of the Court’s current term.

• Bridging the Literacy Gap: Georgia Leaders Unite to Tackle Literacy Crisis and Celebrate the 2025 Georgia Reads Community Award Winners

  February 25, 2025

  According to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, Georgia ranks 28th in the nation in 4th grade reading proficiency. To bring attention to Georgia’s literacy crisis and in celebration of Georgia Reads Day, leaders in government and education gathered at the Georgia State Capitol to recognize the 2025 Georgia Reads Community Award winners and READBowl Champions.

• State Senate Panel Approves $40.5B Mid-Year Budget

  February 25, 2025

  The state Senate is upping the ante on funding to help victims of Hurricane Helene recover from the massive storm that marched through South Georgia and east Georgia from Valdosta to Augusta last September.

• Georgia Chamber Hosts 2025 Future of Talent Summit

  February 24, 2025

  On February 19th, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 Future of Talent Summit, with the theme “Reimagining Education and Talent Development.” The 2025 Future of Talent Summit was cohosted with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education.

• Educators and Groups Want to Address Teacher Shortage

  February 21, 2025

  The Georgia Department of Education kicked off a new teacher recruitment campaign Tuesday to address a teacher shortage. The move is necessary as a generation of teachers nears retirement after two decades and more in the classroom, State School Superintendent Richard Woods said.

• CEO Confidence Increased Sharply in Q1 2025

  February 21, 2025

  The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence in collaboration with The Business Council increased by 9 points, the highest level in three years. For the first time since early 2022, the Measure was well above 50 in Q1 2025, indicating that CEOs have shifted from the cautious optimism that prevailed in 2024 to a more confident optimism

• Rainwater Conference Center Adds New Talent to Enhance Meetings & Event Capabilities

  February 20, 2025

  The Rainwater Conference Center in Valdosta, Georgia, announced the addition of three new team members, each playing a key role in shaping the future of the recently renovated facility. Following nearly $1 million in upgrades in 2024, these professionals are ready to make a lasting impact on the center’s operations and reputation as South Georgia’s premier event destination.

• goBeyondProfit Founder Rick Jackson Receives Lifetime Achievement Award in Corporate Citizenship

  February 20, 2025

  goBeyondProfit, a first-of-its-kind business leader initiative that inspires business generosity, is proud to celebrate its founder, Rick Jackson, for receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in Corporate Citizenship by the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

• GACVB Presents 2025 Georgia Tourism Awards at Annual Conference

  February 19, 2025

  The 2025 Georgia Tourism Awards were presented at the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus (GACVB) Annual Conference. The conference was held February 2nd-5th in Gwinnett. The Georgia Tourism Awards celebrate industry achievements and those who have excelled in leadership, creativity, initiative, innovation, customer service, and partnership.

• Georgia Chamber Hosts Business Prospects for 36th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt in Albany

  February 18, 2025

  Last week, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce successfully hosted its 36th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt—a premier statewide initiative designed to showcase the economic advantages of doing business in Georgia.

• Georgia Breaks Export Records, Rises in Total Trade

  February 14, 2025

  Governor Brian P. Kemp today joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing that the State of Georgia surpassed $53.1 billion in exports, a year-over-year increase of 6.4% that outpaced the national average of 2.3%.

• 2025 Georgia Grown Executive Chefs Announced

  February 14, 2025

  Georgia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and Georgia Restaurant Association President + CEO Stephanie Fischer announced seven new Georgia Grown Executive Chefs at the 2025 Taste of Georgia Legislative Reception last night.

• Brunswick Now the Nation’s Top Port for Autos, Heavy Equipment

  February 13, 2025

  At the Brunswick State of the Port event, Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch said Colonel’s Island Terminal has become the nation’s busiest port for autos and heavy equipment, handling more than 2 million tons of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo in 2024.

• Governor Kemp’s Tort Reform Bill Moving in State Senate

  February 12, 2025

  Legislation backed by Republican Gov. Brian Kemp aimed at reining in huge jury awards supporters say cripple Georgia businesses has cleared a state Senate committee following a five-hour hearing.

• Kevin Greiner: A Business Leader Investing in Georgia’s Future

  February 11, 2025

  Kevin Greiner, CEO of Gas South, believes in using business as a force for good. His company commits 5% of its profits to support youth in need, and when he learned about the Fostering Success Act, getting involved was an easy decision.

• Georgia Invites Travelers to Explore New Hotels, Attractions, More in 2025

  February 07, 2025

  Georgia invites travelers to discover an exciting array of new experiences coming to the Peach State in 2025, from luxury hotel stays and theme park attractions to cultural offerings and milestone celebrations.

• More than 17,000 Rural Georgia Students Supported in Innovative Partnership with Georgia Chamber and Georgia Department of Education

  February 07, 2025

  Yesterday, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) announced the tremendous statewide impact of their 2024 partnership to meet workforce preparedness needs in rural communities.

• 5th Annual In Good Company Report Celebrates Over 2,200 Generous Companies

  February 06, 2025

  goBeyondProfit, a first-of-its-kind business leader initiative that inspires business generosity, today released its 2025 In Good Company Report. This 5th annual list recognizes over 2,200 Georgia businesses of all sizes that have pledged to make generosity a core value of their operations.

• House Panel OKs $40.5B Mid-Year State Budget

  February 06, 2025

  Georgia House budget writers approved a $40.5 billion mid-year state budget Wednesday that would take advantage of a huge surplus to fund improvements to the state’s prison system and provide disaster relief to victims of Hurricane Helene.

• One-Third of Corporate Leaders List Cost Management as Their Most Critical Priority for 2025

  February 05, 2025

  Business leaders around the world are entering 2025 facing significant challenges and opportunities. Many are responding to policy shifts in the United States as economic and geopolitical uncertainty collides with the need for strategic investment.