Features

• Partnership Cancer Fund Transfers to SGMC Foundation

  October 06, 2017

  On Aug. 1, South Georgia Partnership for Health presented a check for $53,000 to South Georgia Medical Center’s Foundation. The funds will continue to support a Partnership Cancer Fund, but will now be operated under the Foundation Board of Trustees.

• Georgia Historical Society Announces 2018 Georgia Trustees Ed Bastian and Paul Bowers

  October 06, 2017

  The Georgia Historical Society announced that Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines, and Paul Bowers, Chairman, President, and CEO of Georgia Power, have been selected as the newest Georgia Trustees. Bastian and Bowers will be inducted by Governor Nathan Deal and the Georgia Historical Society in February. This is the highest honor the State of Georgia can bestow.

• Georgia Quick Start Again Named Number One Workforce Training Program in the U.S.

  October 05, 2017

  Georgia Quick Start, a division of the Technical College System of Georgia, has once again been voted the number one workforce training program in the U.S., according to a survey conducted by Area Development magazine, a trade publication for professional site locators. The magazine has conducted its survey of site professionals for eight years, and this marks the eighth consecutive time Quick Start was voted the best workforce training program in the country.

• Stonecrest Announces Bid for Amazon HQ2 with "Amazon City"

  October 04, 2017

  The newly-incorporated city of Stonecrest will ask the DeKalb County legislative delegation in 2018 to create the city of Amazon, Ga. within a portion of its own city limits if the online retail giant picks the city to build its second world headquarters.

• Technical College System of Georgia Extends State’s Workforce Development Ties with Germany

  September 29, 2017

  Leaders of the Bavarian State Ministry for Education, Culture and Science and the Technical College System of Georgia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that establishes a partnership giving Georgia and German students expanded educational opportunities. TCSG Commissioner Gretchen Corbin and Georg Eisenreich, the Bavarian ministry’s State Secretary, signed the MOU in a ceremony held Sept. 26th in Munich.

• Bank of America’s Evolution of Workplace Policies: Insights on New 16-Week Leave Policy for Mothers and Fathers

  September 27, 2017

  Bank of America recently expanded its parental leave policy from 12 to 16 weeks of paid leave for new mothers and fathers – one of the most competitive offerings across the industry. We sat down with BofA’s Jennifer Darwin, SVP of Corporate Communications for the Carolinas to learn more about this workplace evolution.

• Wiregrass Tech is Preparing for Industry Needs

  September 22, 2017

  In the 1990’s there was a huge push for high school and college students to consider Health Occupation careers with the growing number of the baby boomer generation getting older. Now, Manufacturing and Construction industries are feeling the effects of an aging population. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College works closely with industries and businesses in the eleven counties it serves in South Georgia.

• Area Development Names Georgia #1 State for Business for Fourth Year in a Row

  September 22, 2017

  Georgia did it again! Georgia has been ranked No. 1 on Area Development’s Top States for Doing Business survey, a distinction Georgia has now earned for the fourth consecutive year.

• GDOT Explores Statewide Broadband and Wireless Expansion

  September 21, 2017

  Increasingly, the world is dependent on high-speed internet and reliable cell phone service. But many throughout Georgia rely on spotty or inconsistent cellular and slow internet. Better days may be ahead as Georgia DOT explores two initiatives—broadband and wireless—that use the state-owned right-of-way to expand the 511 Navigator system statewide, as well as enhance telecommunications for all Georgians.

• Jobs Up, Unemployment Rate Down in Valdosta in August

  September 21, 2017

  State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that metro Valdosta’s unemployment and jobs picture looked bright in August. Butler said that in August the unemployment rate was just 4.8 percent and job growth continued to climb.

• GDEcD's Global Commerce Generates $6.33B in Investments

  September 20, 2017

• Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority Recognized as Top 25 Economic Development Organization in North America

  September 19, 2017

  The Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority was recognized last night as one of the top 25 digital economic development organizations in North America at the 2017 International Economic Development Council Annual Conference.

• Nominations Open for 2018 Georgia Small Business ROCK STAR Awards

  September 18, 2017

  According to Mary Ellen McClanahan, Entrepreneur and Small Business director for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the future is bright. That’s why the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) and GDEcD work together each year to “spotlight Georgia’s best, brightest and most unique.”

• Race for the Best Business Plan Is On in Valdosta

  September 15, 2017

  Matching 2017’s record, 16 registration packets for the 2018 Southwest Georgia Bank Business Plan Competition have been submitted to the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber, and the race for the best business plan is on.

• Georgia Sets Record for Total Jobs in August

  September 14, 2017

  State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that Georgia set a record in August for total jobs, surpassing 4.5 million for the first time.

• Third Annual J.W. Fanning Community Leadership Conference Set for February 2018

  September 13, 2017

  Individuals committed to improving their communities and organizations through leadership development are encouraged to mark their calendars to attend the 2018 Community Leadership Conference, Feb. 22-23, 2018, at UGA. Organized by the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development, the Community Leadership Conference will again take place at the UGA Center for Continuing Education and Hotel.

• Governor Expands State of Emergency to Include All 159 Counties

  September 11, 2017

  Acting on a recommendation from the state's Emergency Operations Command and ahead of heavy rains, strong wind and potential flooding from Hurricane Irma, Gov. Nathan Deal expanded the emergency declaration to include an additional 65 counties.

• Stacy Bush: Strategic Investment Planning - The Basics

  September 08, 2017

  Why do so many people never obtain the financial independence that they desire? Often it’s because they just don’t take that first step — getting started. One of the biggest risks you face is not educating yourself about which investments may be able to help you pursue your financial goals and how to approach the investing process.

• Governor Expands State of Emergency for 64 Additional Counties

  September 08, 2017

  Following a recommendation from Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency officials and local Emergency Management Agencies, Gov. Nathan Deal is expanding his emergency declaration to include 64 additional counties, with a total of 94 counties now included in a state of emergency

• Governor Announces More Than $37.5M in Community Development Awards

  September 05, 2017

  Gov. Nathan Deal announced that 59 Georgia communities will receive a total of $37.55 million in federal assistance to help grow their local economies. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the funding to Georgia’s Community Development Block Grant program, which is administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

• Coca-Cola & Chick-fil-A Keynote Speakers Confirmed for the Georgia Manufacturing Summit

  August 30, 2017

  Manufacturing leaders from across Georgia will hear two of the top leaders in Supply Chain Management during the Georgia Manufacturing Summit on October 25th. Debra Shankle, V.P. of Supply Chain for Coca-Cola North America, and Rob Dugas, the Chief Procurement Officer and V.P. of Chick-fil-A, will address the impact of manufacturing on the Food & Beverage Industry.

• Governor Unveils Martin Luther King Jr. Statue at State Capitol

  August 29, 2017

  Gov. Nathan Deal, joined by First Lady Sandra Deal, members of the King family, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, House Speaker David Ralston, Rep. Calvin Smyre, members of the Georgia Capitol Arts Standards Commission and other dignitaries, unveiled the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue at the northeast quadrant of the State Capitol.

• Curt Fowler: Learning to Listen to Your Customers

  August 25, 2017

  There are a lot of great ways you can be listening to your customers. Surveys, using different tools including the Net Promoter Score, are just one of the methods. Here are some others you can try.

• CSU’s Leadership Institute to Bring 2017 Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum to Columbus August 28th-29th

  August 25, 2017

  For the 12th year, the Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum, hosted by the Leadership Institute at Columbus State University, will bring a lineup of the best and brightest minds in the world to Columbus. This year’s event, themed “Inspired Leadership” features leaders in various sectors, including business, education, technology, leadership, sports, politics and military.

• Valdosta City Manager Larry Hanson Appointed Vice-Chairman of DCA Board

  August 23, 2017

  City Manager Larry Hanson was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Board on August 16th.

Older Newer