December 2023 Features

  • Georgia Farm Bureau members will ‘Dig In’ to Agriculture at Annual Convention

    December 27, 2023

    Georgia Farm Bureau members will gather on Jekyll Island Dec. 3-5 for the organization’s 86th annual convention. Attendees will be ‘Diggin’ In’ to agriculture issues and advocacy as they participate in event activities.

  • goBeyondProfit - The Business Case for a Generosity Reboot

    December 22, 2023

    If you pay close attention, you will hear a growing disagreement between companies, employees, and the communities they serve. While they are bound together by a mutual interest in meaningful engagement, employees and community-serving nonprofits are begging for a relationship reboot.

  • Explore Georgia Announces Most Anticipated Hotel Openings for 2024

    December 22, 2023

    The Peach State is preparing to ring in the new year with a host of new hotel options that offer more than just a good night’s sleep. From a mountaintop golf resort to a lovingly restored historic mansion, here is a sampling of the new accommodations travelers can look forward to in Georgia come 2024.

  • SD Gunner Fund Pays Off Medical Debt for 9 Local Families Before the Holidays

    December 21, 2023

    SD Gunner Fund, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting veterans, first responders, and children with disabilities, successfully raised funds for its annual Holiday Blessings Campaign, providing relief to local families in need.

  • Georgia’s Unemployment Holds Steady for the Holidays

    December 21, 2023

    Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's November unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, unchanged from a revised 3.4 percent for the third consecutive month. The unemployment rate was three-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

  • Georgia Named Among the States Where Small Businesses are Set to Boom in 2024

    December 21, 2023

    Business ideas and information site The Small Business Blog analyzed search data from Google Keyword Planner for more than 100 terms related to the term ‘side hustle’ and ‘small business’ - the peach state placed #7.

  • Step One Automotive Group Continues 4th Annual 25 Days of Giving Campaign

    December 20, 2023

    Step One Automotive Group continues their 4th Annual 25 Days of Giving Campaign during the month of December by presenting checks to the Economic Opportunity Authority, the West Broad Street YMCA, St. Mary’s Community Center, Otis Brock Elementary School, American Cancer Society and Habitat for Humanity.

  • GDEcD: 50 Years of International Presence

    December 20, 2023

    Fifty years ago, state leadership under then-Governor Jimmy Carter began to establish Georgia’s physical presence abroad, kickstarting the state’s trajectory to becoming a global hub for business and innovation.

  • Christmas Begins After All The Christmas Stuff is Done

    December 20, 2023

    We’re almost there. The end of the year is in sight. We’re locked in on Christmas, when most of the country slows down or stops altogether for a much needed break. Productivity will be at its annual low.

  • Gov. Kemp Announces State Employee Retention Pay Supplement, New School Safety Funding

    December 19, 2023

    Governor Brian Kemp – joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, Chairman Matt Hatchett of the House Appropriations Committee, announced a state employee retention pay supplement of $1,000 for each of the roughly 112,000 state employees and 196,000 educators and school support staff across the state.

  • Celebrating 34 Years of Success: SBAC Unveils Corporate Legacy Book

    December 18, 2023

    At its annual Holiday Luncheon, held on December 6th, Small Business Assistance Corporation announced the release of its corporate legacy book. The book celebrates, in both images and words, the company’s remarkable thirty- four-year history, hence the title The First 34 Years of SBAC.

  • Georgia’s Energy System – A Model for America

    December 18, 2023

    We start our cars and barely think about the complex systems under the hood. The same with flipping on a light switch. We just take for granted that the electricity will work. We enjoy reliable and affordable electric service here in Georgia thanks to careful planning and market-based management of a diversified energy system.

  • goBeyondProfit CEO Interviews: Heath Fountain, CEO of Colony Bank (Part 2)

    December 15, 2023

    In part 2 of our interview with Colony Bank and its CEO Heath Fountain we explore intentional leadership practices that effectively communicate strategic priorities to a dispersed workforce. With 40+ offices across the state, Colony Bank implements these practices daily.

  • Two Thomas & Hutton Projects were Finalists for the GPTQ Preconstruction Design Awards

    December 14, 2023

    Two projects from Thomas & Hutton were finalists for the Georgia Partnership for Transportation Quality (GPTQ) Preconstruction Design Awards: Rogers Bridge, and the Jimmy DeLoach Parkway Extension & Interchange.

  • GDOT Outlines Need for Major Hike in Highway Funding

    December 14, 2023

    Georgia will need to spend at least $81 billion on transportation improvements by 2050 to keep people and freight moving on highways that otherwise will becoming increasingly congested, state Commissioner of Transportation Russell McMurry warned Wednesday.

  • Georgia Port's COO Ed McCarthy Outlines Port Improvements

    December 13, 2023

    At the 2023 Georgia Transportation Summit, Chief Operating Officer Ed McCarthy detailed the Georgia Ports Authority's $4.5 billion in projects and plans to enhance port infrastructure over the next decade.

  • Georgia Tech-Savannah Announces Professional Leadership Certificate Program

    December 13, 2023

    Georgia Tech-Savannah announces its Professional Leadership certificate program which will run from March – June 2024. This program was developed for emerging leaders to accelerate their careers through education and self-discovery, and for professionals in corporations and organizations that have demonstrated leadership qualities through experience and engagement

  • Governors Kemp, Ivey Announce Agreement in Long-running Chattahoochee River Water Lawsuit

    December 13, 2023

    Governor Brian P. Kemp of Georgia and Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama announced that they have reached an agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers expected to end a lawsuit brought by Alabama while assuring both states’ citizens who live and work in the Mid- and Lower Chattahoochee River Basin of sufficient minimum water flows during times of drought.

  • Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark: It’s Time for Washington to Reverse Course on Interest Rates

    December 13, 2023

    It’s no surprise to anyone who has filled up their tank, been to the grocery store, or applied for a loan that sky-high inflation and increasing interest rates are placing an undue financial burden on citizens across the country and constraints on business investments.

  • Goodwill Southeast Georgia CEO Accepts New Position

    December 12, 2023

    Goodwill Southeast Georgia announced that Michael Winckler, President and CEO, has accepted a new position as President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Houston. The Goodwill Southeast Georgia Board Chair, Ivy Council, announced Jason Marshall, the current COO of Goodwill Southeast Georgia, as interim CEO effective January 2nd.

  • Over Forty High School Students Complete Colony Bank's Leadership Academy

    December 12, 2023

    Over 40 high school students in Georgia recently graduated from the Colony Leadership Academy, the graduation ceremony took place on November 18th in Savannah and upon completion of the program, each student received up to a $1,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.

  • Georgia’s Economy is Headed for a “Soft Landing” but Could Still Hit Some Speed Bumps

    December 12, 2023

    Georgia’s post-COVID economic expansion is expected to slow but continue, with GDP increasing by 1.1% in 2024, according to economic forecasters at the University of Georgia Selig Center for Economic Growth.

  • Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity Raises $160K & Launches ‘Close The Gap' Campaign to Reach Fundraising Goal for 40th Anniversary Year

    December 11, 2023

    Coastal Empire Habitat for Humanity raised $160,000 at their second annual ‘Home for the Holidays’ gala, presented by title sponsor Roberts Properties, Inc. Over 300 attendees joined together to celebrate the nonprofit during their 40th anniversary and support them as they continue their mission to provide safe and affordable housing for local families.

  • Feds Providing More Funding for Passenger Rail in Georgia

    December 11, 2023

    The Biden administration is stepping up federal funding of three planned intercity passenger rail projects in Georgia. The Federal Rail Administration has awarded $1.5 million in grants to explore linking Atlanta with Savannah; Charlotte, N.C.; and Chattanooga, Tenn.

  • SBAC Celebrates Small Businesses and Accomplishments During its Annual Holiday Luncheon

    December 08, 2023

    The Small Business Assistance Corporation recently celebrated its Annual Holiday Luncheon at the Savannah Golf Club, highlighting its achievements in 2023. The event recognized staff, volunteer board and loan committee members, and winners of its annual awards while honoring past leadership.