Features

• CJB Companies Announces Leadership Appointments Focused on Growth and Innovation

  December 12, 2024

  CJB Companies announces the appointment of Mitchell Tatar to Director of Innovation and Sims Turner to Vice President of Sales and Business Development along with several other supporting promotions.

• SBA Administrator Guzman Hosts Inaugural Artificial Intelligence Small Business Summit at Georgia Tech

  December 12, 2024

  On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, traveled to Atlanta to host the inaugural SBA AI Small Business Summit and officially launch SBA’s AI for Small Businesses Resource Hub.

• CEO Optimism Surges Post-Election, According to Recent Fortune/Deloitte CEO Survey

  December 12, 2024

  The Fall 2024 Fortune/Deloitte CEO survey reveals a sharp rise in optimism among CEOs, with confidence in the global economy increasing significantly as compared to the summer survey. This heightened optimism is likely influenced by a combination of potentially favorable tax environment, deregulation and support for M&A activity.

• 16th Annual GRACE Awards Winners Announced

  December 11, 2024

  The 2024 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence Awards winners were announced Monday, Dec. 9 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The GRACE Awards Gala is the Georgia Restaurant Association’s (GRA) annual black-tie event honoring Georgia’s restaurant industry.

• Meet Mely: A Story of Resilience and Hope

  December 10, 2024

  Mely, a sophomore at Georgia Gwinnett College majoring in psychology, is a true example of resilience and transformation. Entering foster care at 11, she faced the challenges of living in multiple group homes and foster placements, all while grappling with the uncertainty of life without a permanent family.

• Georgia DOT Awards 23 Construction Contracts for Statewide Transportation Projects

  December 10, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded 23 projects across the state in October, encompassing bridge rehabilitation, resurfacing, construction, safety improvements, and new bridge construction.

• Georgia’s Economy will Grow in 2025, but More Slowly

  December 09, 2024

  Georgia’s economy is projected to grow by 2.4% in 2025, a slowdown from the 3.1% the state saw in 2024. However, the state’s GDP is projected to grow faster than the nation’s, which forecasters project to grow by 1.6% in 2025.

• Atlanta to Host Six Matches of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Next Summer

  December 09, 2024

  FIFA unveiled the official match schedule for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 on Saturday morning following the tournament's draw on December 5th in Miami. Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host six matches for this historic edition of the tournament, including a quarterfinal.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interviews: Bernie Marcus, Co-Founder of The Home Depot

  December 06, 2024

  In part 2 of our interview with Bernie Marcus, Co-Founder of The Home Depot, shared how leaders of businesses of all sizes can benefit from generosity – not only personally, but also as a company.

• Governor, First Lady Announce Recipients of Arts and Humanities Awards

  December 06, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp announced the recipients of the 13th annual Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Georgia in these fields. The awards are presented in partnership with Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities.

• Wild Hogs Supper 2025 Feast for a Cause: Celebrating Georgia’s Agriculture Industry and Fighting Hunger Together!

  December 05, 2024

  The Wild Hog Supper, a cherished tradition that has kicked off the Georgia General Assembly’s legislative session for more than 60 years, returns on January 12th.

• Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta CEO: Heading into 2025 with Positive Economic Outlook, Mindful of Risks

  December 04, 2024

  At its November meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee reduced the target for its benchmark interest rate, the federal funds rate, by a quarter percentage point—to a range of 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 percent. That came after we lowered the policy rate by a half percentage point in September, so it has come down three-quarters of a percentage point, or 75 basis points, from its high.

• Fueling Good: Gas South’s Legacy of Generosity Continues

  December 03, 2024

  goBeyondProfit, a first-of-its-kind business leader initiative that inspires business generosity, celebrates Gas South and its CEO, Kevin Greiner, for their unwavering commitment to generosity.

• 2024 GAgives on GivingTuesday Showcases Nonprofits as the Unifiers of Communities

  December 03, 2024

  With the season of giving upon us, it’s time to show our appreciation for those who have supported our communities throughout the year with unwavering commitment and a staggering level of accomplishment.

• Wellness Reimagined: Georgia Power Foundation Supports SGMC Health with Transformational Gift

  December 02, 2024

  SGMC Health is pleased to announce a generous $500,000 gift from the Georgia Power Foundation to support the creation of a two-acre Wellness Park as part of SGMC Health’s Main Campus Expansion Project.

• Georgia Chamber Announces Rural Award Winners

  December 02, 2024

  In recognition of the community’s commitment to quality growth and economic development, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce named Metter-Candler County as the inaugural Rural Community of the Year Award winner.

• 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.

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