October 2025 Features

• VSU Invites Community to Join Parade, Celebrate Homecoming Saturday

  October 24, 2025

  Blazer Nation friends of all ages are invited to join Valdosta State University students, faculty, staff, retirees, and alumni in celebrating Homecoming on Saturday, October 25th.

• A Generational Guide to Productivity: What Your Employees Need to Thrive

  October 24, 2025

  New research from goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO reveals that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to productivity. Instead, the 2025 Generosity by the Generations Report shows that the drivers of productivity are as diverse as the workforce itself.

• Gov. Kemp & State Delegation to Celebrate 40th Anniversary of Korean Office, Reinforce Longstanding Economic Partnerships

  October 24, 2025

  Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp are leading an international economic development mission that will begin in the Republic of Korea. The time in Korea will focus on reinforcing strategic economic development partnerships in recognition of the 40th anniversary of Georgia’s representation in Seoul.

• Georgia Department of Labor Partners with TCSG/WorkSource Georgia to Support Federal Workers During Shutdown

  October 23, 2025

  As the federal government shutdown continues, more than 110,000 Georgia workers face missed paychecks and uncertain futures. In response, the Georgia Department of Labor, in partnership with the Technical College System of Georgia and WorkSource Georgia, is mobilizing statewide resources to help impacted federal employees get back to work.

• Georgia’s Transportation Chief: Growth, Future Funding, and a Call for City Partnerships

  October 22, 2025

  Georgia’s economy and population continue to surge, and GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry told the GMA Board of Directors that the state’s infrastructure must keep pace. Speaking at the board’s Oct. 10th meeting in Atlanta, he outlined recent funding wins, major projects, and a call for continued city–state collaboration.

• Wiregrass Tech Reports Highest Number of Graduates in the College’s History

  October 21, 2025

  Wiregrass Georgia Technical College President DeAnnia Clements is proud to announce that the college achieved record-breaking graduation numbers for Academic Year 2025. Two significant records were set: the highest number of graduates, with 2,141, and the highest number of awards conferred, totaling 3,404.

• Governor Brian Kemp & TCSG Announce Winners of the 2025 Governor’s Workforce Summit Awards

  October 21, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp and the Technical College System of Georgia today announced the winners of the 2025 Governor’s Workforce Summit Awards during a special ceremony in Atlanta. The awards celebrate exceptional accomplishments in workforce development, strategic partnerships, and student success across the state.

• CEO Confidence Ticked Down to Further Below Neutral in Q4

  October 20, 2025

  The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence™ in collaboration with The Business Council, fell to 48 in Q4 2025, down 1 point from 49 in Q3. A total of 130 CEOs participated in the Q4 survey.

• The Real Surprise in Flexible Work: Why Baby Boomers Value It Most

  October 17, 2025

  The 2025 Generosity by the Generations Report challenges the popular narrative that younger generations are rejecting the return to the office. The data reveals that while flexibility is a universal desire, its meaning and importance vary dramatically across the workforce.

• Flock Safety & Ring Announce Partnership to Enable Community Requests and Improve Neighborhood Safety

  October 17, 2025

  Flock Safety and Ring announced that Flock Safety will integrate with Ring’s Community Requests to give customers the choice to securely and privately share video footage with local public safety agencies that use Flock software to investigate active cases.

• Leadership Georgia Announces the Class of 2026

  October 16, 2025

  The Leadership Georgia Board of Trustees is proud to announce the participants for the organization’s Class of 2026. 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.

• Dr. William Crowe Named Interim President of Valdosta State University

  October 15, 2025

  The University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue today named Dr. William R. “Bill” Crowe as interim president of Valdosta State University, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

• Georgia Takes Center Stage as Spotlight State at This Year’s Sunbelt Ag Expo

  October 15, 2025

  Today, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler J Harper announced that Georgia has been selected as the Spotlight State for the 2025 Sunbelt Ag Expo, taking place today through October 16th in Moultrie, Georgia.

• Rayonier & PotlatchDeltic Merger to Bring HQ to Atlanta, Creates Georgia’s Largest Private Landowner

  October 15, 2025

  Rayonier and PotlatchDeltic announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals, creating a leading domestic land resources owner and top-tier lumber manufacturer.

• Is Your Company Perceived as Authentic? A Generational Viewpoint

  October 10, 2025

  The 2025 Generosity by the Generations Report, released by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO, reveals a fundamental divide in how different generations view the role of business and their employers authenticity. A growing skepticism is reshaping the modern workforce and demanding a more authentic, transparent approach from leaders.

• 1 in 5 Restaurant Dollars Tied to Business Dining, New Report Finds

  October 10, 2025

  Dinova Inc., the authority in business dining, and Technomic, the leader in foodservice insights, have released the Fall 2025 State of Business Dining Report, offering the only data-driven look at a key market segment.

• FutureTech Forum: A Blueprint for Georgia’s Next Era of Fintech and Web3

  October 09, 2025

  The next era of financial technology is unfolding—and Georgia has the opportunity to lead it. Georgia is already a national leader in technology. The Peach State already processes the majority of the nation’s electronic payments and is home to more than 200 fintech companies that are leading innovation across the globe.

• Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites Remain Open During Federal Government Shutdown

  October 08, 2025

  Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites are not affiliated with the National Park System and will remain open despite the federal government shutdown beginning October 1. The sites are operated by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and continue to welcome visitors.

• Georgia Power Grid Emerges Stronger Following Hurricane Helene

  October 07, 2025

  In the months that followed Hurricane Helene, once customers were safely reconnected as quickly as possible, the company took the time to strategically rebuild parts of the grid with smarter technology and stronger infrastructure, which included upgrading power lines, poles and transformers to enhance reliability and durability for future storms.

• New Report Explores Job Loyalty Across the Generations

  October 06, 2025

  Hiring has slowed and some CEOs are eager to use the moment to return to historic workplace dynamics to increase collaboration and productivity. The 2025 Generosity by the Generations Report from goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO suggests that while employees may be stuck, doubling down on workplace generosity may be the key strategy for higher productivity and building loyalty that lasts when the economy shifts.

• Initiative Aims to Help Georgians Harness Artificial Intelligence for Productivity

  October 03, 2025

  Alex Willson knows how to grow a pecan and turn it into a cake, but he is not so great at analyzing shipping logistics. The president and CEO of Sunnyland Farms in Albany is running an agricultural business that dates to 1948 — not the kind of operation one associates with cutting edge technology. Yet Willson said he was able to harness artificial intelligence to boost his bottom line about 8%, even 10%.

• Locate South Georgia, Downtown Development Authority of Madison, and Gina Webb of OneGeorgia Authority Named 2025 Rural Champions

  October 03, 2025

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce named Locate South Georgia, the Downtown Development Authority of Madison, and OneGeorgia Authority Director, Gina Webb as the 2025 Rural Champions. The three 2025 Rural Champions were selected by a statewide panel that reviewed numerous nominations from across Georgia.

• Rep. Mark Newton: Why Supporting Foster Youth is an Economic Imperative for Georgia

  October 02, 2025

  State Representative Mark Newton of Augusta has long been an advocate for Georgia’s most vulnerable youth—and as the sponsor of the Fostering Success Act, he’s helping transform how the state supports young adults aging out of foster care.

• Savannah Hosts 2025 Youth Symposium, Gathering Leaders from Across Georgia

  October 02, 2025

  The City of Savannah, in partnership with GeorgiaForward and Georgia Municipal Association, proudly hosted the 2025 Youth Symposium Sept. 19–21, welcoming Youth Council leaders and advisors from across Georgia for three days of learning, collaboration, and inspiration.

• Lowndes County & Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce Now Accepting Nominations for Farmers of the Year

  October 01, 2025

  The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners and the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce are proud to announce the annual Farmers Appreciation Breakfast, honoring farmers in Lowndes and Echols Counties.