May 2019 Features

• Small Businesses Gain Big Wins from Community Involvement

  May 31, 2019

  Strapped and under-resourced small businesses might have the very most to gain from community involvement. Authentic outreach can be a powerful way to expand the company’s relationship network, raise business awareness and build loyalty among customers and employees. goBeyondProfit’s Corporate Generosity Research Report cites that 71 percent of Georgia’s employed adults prefer to buy products from companies who are generous to the community.

• 2021 MLB All-Star Game Awarded to Atlanta & SunTrust Park

  May 31, 2019

  Major League Baseball announced Atlanta as host to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. The annual matchup between the American League and National League’s top athletes will be played at SunTrust Park. This marks the third time Atlanta welcomes the Midsummer Classic, the first since 2000.

• Invesco to Expand Atlanta Global HQ with 500 Jobs and $70M Investment

  May 31, 2019

  Governor Brian Kemp announced that Invesco, one of the world’s leading investment managers, plans to significantly expand its global headquarters in Atlanta, adding 500 jobs and investing $70 million as part of a major expansion of its business.

• Savannah-based Hooga Wins Startup Stage Event at Geekend

  May 30, 2019

  Hooga, a Savannah Georgia based startup, won the Startup Stage event at the 10th Annual Geekend in Savannah Georgia. Six companies competed to win the April 26th event which was sponsored and presented by the ATDC.

• Rolyn Companies, Inc. to Open a New Office in Savannah

  May 30, 2019

  To better respond to existing, as well as new, commercial, healthcare, industrial, and multi-family clients in Savannah, Coastal Georgia, and South Carolina, Rolyn is expanding to open a second Georgia office. The new location will be the company’s ninth office and will be managed by Brian Speckhals.

• Georgia Public Policy Foundation Releases Study on Healthcare Waivers for Georgia

  May 30, 2019

  The Georgia Public Policy Foundation has long advocated for market-oriented solutions to Georgia’s healthcare challenges. As one way of accomplishing this goal, the Foundation supports the use of a Section 1332 State Innovation Waiver under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Georgia General Assembly has authorized Gov. Brian Kemp to use this tool to pursue more flexibility in how Georgia administers certain aspects of the ACA.

• Reynolds Lake Oconee to Host Second Annual Reynolds Cup, October 1st-3rd

  May 30, 2019

  The second annual Reynolds Cup presented by National Car Rental, a golf tournament for leaders in business who thrive on the competition and camaraderie that are the spirit of the game, is set for Oct. 1-3 at Reynolds Lake Oconee, the award-winning golf community and destination resort between Atlanta and Augusta.

• Georgia Southern Hosts Inaugural Gratitude Gala Donor Awards, Celebrates Individual, Corporate Philanthropy

  May 29, 2019

  Georgia Southern University hosted its inaugural Gratitude Gala Donor Awards to recognize key donors based on their longtime support of institutional initiatives. The event was held on Saturday, May 18th, at the Perry Lane Hotel in Savannah.

• Proposed Legislation Designed to Help Americans Prepare for Retirement

  May 29, 2019

  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) joined Democrat Chris Murphy of Connecticut Tuesday and re-introduced bipartisan legislation that he says will help Americans ensure they do not outlive their retirement savings.

• Global Payments and TSYS Combine to Form Leading Pure Play Payments Technology Company

  May 28, 2019

  Global Payments, a leading worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions, and TSYS, a leading global payments provider offering innovative solutions across the issuing, merchant and consumer segments, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals.

• Leadership Southeast Georgia Studies Economic Development With State Officials

  May 24, 2019

  Leadership Southeast Georgia (LSEGA) members received a thorough grounding in economic development during the group’s fourth session, which took place in Bryan and Liberty Counties.

• Savannah Sets Jobs Record in April

  May 24, 2019

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Savannah reached in April an all-time high for number of jobs.

• Senators Isakson, Perdue Secure Long-Awaited Disaster Aid Funding for Georgia

  May 24, 2019

  U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., praised Senate approval of critical disaster relief funding for Georgia and other states impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, floods and other natural disasters. Isakson and Perdue have fought for months to secure disaster funding for Georgia, which was devastated by Hurricane Michael in October 2018.

• 2018 Longwoods Travel USA Study Reports Another Record-Breaking Year for Savannah Tourism

  May 23, 2019

  This week, Visit Savannah reported the 2018 results of the Longwoods Travel USA Study to its board of directors, showing a 3.2 percent increase over 2017 in visitor spending—to slightly more than $3 billion—and an increase in the average length of stay from 2.4 to 2.6 nights.

• Beer Industry Contributes $8.1B Annually to Georgia's Economy

  May 23, 2019

  Just ahead of Memorial Day, which marks one of the top beer selling holidays of the year and the start of the summer beer selling season, a new economic impact study shows America's beer industry contributes $8.1 billion annually to Georgia's economy and supports 54,084 jobs in the state.

• Sen. Isakson Talks Middle East, Trade, National Security, Disaster Aid, Veterans

  May 21, 2019

  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., outlined top pressing national and state priorities in an episode of the “Inside the Box” podcast on Thursday. During the interview, Isakson shared his views on his recent trip to Iraq, the increased tensions with Iran, his leadership on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, U.S. trade relationships, national security and his work to secure federal disaster aid for Georgia.

• AG Chris Carr: Georgia Legal Food Frenzy Generates 1.7 Million Meals for Children in Need

  May 20, 2019

  Attorney General Chris Carr announced that law firms and legal organizations across Georgia raised a record breaking 419,321 dollars and 17,617 pounds of food during the 8th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy. This is the equivalent of 1.7 million meals for Georgia’s food banks and a 9.5 percent increase from last year.

• Tribute Portfolio Introduces Charming New Hotel To Savannah's Historic Waterfront With The Alida

  May 17, 2019

  Tribute Portfolio, Marriott International's newest collection of independent, characterful hotels, together with Rockbridge and Makeready, has further expanded its portfolio with the recent addition of The Alida Hotel in Savannah. As the brand's second hotel in Georgia, The Alida joins modern design with timeless Southern charm, ideally located on Savannah's revitalized riverfront.

• Smart Sea Sensors Expo Highlights Accomplishments and Shares Future Plans

  May 17, 2019

  The Smart Sea Level Sensors project marked its first year of successes. The project team, community partners, and local residents convened for an expo highlighting the program's accomplishments with presentations and hands-on demonstrations. They also gathered input to guide planning for the second year of the project.

• Isakson, Perdue Help Secure $35M in Disaster Relief

  May 16, 2019

  Last week we wrote about the work U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA) are doing to secure much needed disaster relief funds for Georgia farmers impacted by Hurricane Michael.

• Gulfstream Reinforces Reliability And Capabilities With World Speed Record

  May 16, 2019

  Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the high-performing Gulfstream G550 recently established a new city-pair speed record, connecting Shanghai with Seattle in 10 hours and 29 minutes, bringing the number of records the jet has earned to 55.

• ACG Atlanta Announces 40 Fastest-Growing Companies In Georgia

  May 14, 2019

  The Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, announced the 2019 Georgia Fast 40, recognizing the top 40 fastest-growing middle-market companies in Georgia.

• Approximately 4,000 Degrees Conferred During Georgia Southern Commencement Ceremonies

  May 13, 2019

  This weekend, Georgia Southern celebrated approximately 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students from the University’s Statesboro, Armstrong and Liberty Campuses in a university-wide Spring 2019 Commencement ceremony and individual college ceremonies.

• Governor Kemp Signs Fiscal Year 2020 Budget

  May 13, 2019

  Governor Brian P. Kemp signed the fiscal year 2020 budget. Joined by lawmakers, law enforcement officials, educators, and local leaders in Camilla, Georgia, Governor Kemp's signature of the balanced budget caps a historic first legislative session.

• Women Who Rule Raises $64,000 to Help Low-Income Women Find Dependable Transportation

  May 09, 2019

  United Way’s WOMEN UNITED hosted Women Who Rule, a fundraising event to help provide low-income women dependable transportation. The event raised more than $64,000 which will be used to provide bus passes, gas cards, and minor car repairs. Having access to transportation will allow women to get and maintain a job, gain an education, and access medical care, food, other basic necessities.