June 2020 Features

• Hawks to Transform State Farm Arena into 'Georgia’s Largest-ever Voting Precinct'

  June 30, 2020

  Fulton County is partnering with the Atlanta Hawks to create Georgia’s largest-ever voting precinct at State Farm Arena, starting with early voting on July 20 for the Georgia General Primary Runoff Election on August 11th

• The Rotary Club of Savannah Announces Ted J. Kleisner as 2020-21 President-Elect

  June 29, 2020

  Ted J. Kleisner, retired CEO and active community leader, has been elected 2020-21 president of the Rotary Club of Savannah. On June 29, the Rotary gavel will be passed on to Kleisner from outgoing president, Ellen B. Bolch, President and CEO of THA Group.

• Entrepreneurs Encouraged to Apply for the PPP Program Before the June 30th Deadline- “Recovery Now in Cities Across Georgia"

  June 29, 2020

  During these past few months since the outbreak of the Covid-19 Pandemic, I've gained an astounding confirmation at roundtables, virtual townhalls, radio interviews, hundreds of phone calls, and emails, that the key component to the success of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) is due to the significant level of local participation, local and federal collaboration, and support at the community level.

• USDA Sending $12.5 Million to Georgia for Rural Broadband

  June 29, 2020

  Broadband deployment efforts by SyncGlobal and Carroll Electric Membership Cooperative are coming together with the announcement of USDA/RUS grant money awarded for the region.

• Corsica Technologies: Remote Work is the New Normal. Here’s How to Embrace It.

  June 29, 2020

  Although many industries have been forced to quickly pivot to a remote workforce due to COVID-19, the shift is not a new one. Over the last five years remote work has seen a 44% growth, over the last decade that number is 91%. Whether recent circumstances forced your business to transition to a remote workforce or it was already in the works, it’s vital that you fully embrace the change if you want to be successful. Here’s how.

• Savannah Now the Top US Port for Ag Exports

  June 26, 2020

  The Port of Savannah's proximity to major producers, direct access via road and rail, broad global network and responsiveness to customer needs have recently made it the top port in the nation for the export of containerized agricultural goods.

• Georgia Processes More Claims in 14 Weeks Than in the Past Seven Years

  June 26, 2020

  The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced today they have processed over 2.7 million regular UI initial claims in the past 14 weeks, more than the last seven years combined.

• Kemp, Duncan, Ralston Encourage Passage of COVID-19 Economic Relief Package

  June 26, 2020

  Governor Brian P. Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Duncan, and Speaker David Ralston expressed their support of the passage of an economic relief package for businesses in the wake of COVID-19.

• Delta Donates 1 Million Pounds of Food (and Counting) to Communities Around World

  June 25, 2020

  The COVID-19 crisis has created a number of opportunities for Delta people to make a difference in the communities where we live and work. Since Delta has temporarily adjusted services on board and in Delta Sky Clubs, they have donated food and other provisions from warehouses around the globe to hospitals, schools, food banks and other organizations.

• GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson: State’s Tourism is Down Due to Pandemic, but Not Out

  June 24, 2020

  As the unofficial capital of the Southeast, Georgia has the biggest cities, the most diverse population and a vast geographical range from the mountains to the beach. Our tourism industry constantly redefines what it means to be Southern by sharing the places, culture, stories and people that make Georgia so unique, and this has earned our state a strong reputation as a top travel destination.

• June Poll Shows Georgia Employee Trust and Loyalty Increased by Businesses’ Pandemic Response; Employees Report Heightened Productivity but Specific Concerns, Wishes for Recovery

  June 23, 2020

  A goBeyondProfit survey conducted earlier this month among working Georgians shows businesses’ pandemic response has increased their employees’ trust and loyalty. Respondents reported work productivity higher than before the pandemic and indicated better-than-neutral mental wellbeing, though they worry about job security and coronavirus exposure at work and among their family and friends.

• Chris Clark: The Inequality of Opportunity

  June 22, 2020

  We are in an important national conversation on systemic racism and the underlying inequality of economic opportunity in America. The Georgia Chamber and the business community will directly engage in dialogue and actively advocate for policies that create long term job growth, mobility, and equality for all Georgians. Doing so is essential for our collective prosperity.

• New Report Examines Bioscience Industry’s Economic Impact in Georgia & Role in Global Pandemic

  June 22, 2020

  The Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO) released new data on the bioscience industry in the United States this week during the BIO Digital conference. The new report, The Bioscience Economy: Propelling Life-Saving Treatments, Supporting State & Local Communities, analyzes the bioscience industry’s economic footprint across the nation and in Georgia, the significant role of small- and mid-sized companies, and the industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

• States Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most

  June 22, 2020

  With states opening up and the national unemployment rate now at 13.3% compared to the nearly historic high of 14.7% at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, WalletHub released its report on the States Whose Unemployment Rates Are Bouncing Back Most.

• Georgia Bankers Association Elects and Installs Officers and Directors to its Board

  June 19, 2020

  Members of the Georgia Bankers Association (GBA) have elected and installed officers for the 2020-2021 fiscal year and added 10 members to its board of directors.

• Lt. Gov. Duncan Unveils New Version of Hate-crimes Proposal in Georgia

  June 18, 2020

  Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan introduced hate crimes legislation that empowers communities by giving them the ability to seek a hate crimes charge from a grand jury if local prosecutors don’t. The bill would also create a separate offense for “bias-motivated intimidation” for alleged hate crimes, which satisfies the constitutional protections of due process by requiring an indictment.

• Advisory Group to Review Names Used On University System of Georgia Campuses

  June 18, 2020

  Board of Regents Chairman Sachin Shailendra and Chancellor Steve Wrigley of the University System of Georgia (USG) have asked an advisory group to review and study the names of buildings and colleges on all USG campuses and report to the Board on any recommended changes.

• Georgia Honors State’s 2020 ‘Small Business ROCK STARS’

  June 17, 2020

  Today, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) teamed up to recognize Georgia’s 2020 Small Business ROCK STARS. Originally set to take place in April, the ceremony to celebrate the four winning businesses was transformed into a completely virtual production to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

• GPA Elects Officers for FY2021

  June 16, 2020

  At its meeting Tuesday, the Georgia Ports Authority board elected officers for the coming fiscal year, selecting Will McKnight to serve a second year as chairman.

• Raphael Bostic: A Moral and Economic Imperative to End Racism

  June 16, 2020

  As I have observed the protests against police brutality over the past few weeks, I have shared in the outrage of the truly horrific events that brought us to this point. I know many of you are feeling shocked and outraged. My first thoughts are for those who lost their lives and those suffering through these events in very real ways, and I stand with all those peacefully protesting for change.

• Georgia Again Recognized for Excellence in Attracting Jobs and Investment

  June 15, 2020

  Governor Kemp announced that Georgia has received its 12th Shovel Award – its 11th consecutive such award – recognizing the state’s excellence in attracting investment and creating jobs.

• Georgia Film, TV, Streaming Production Industry Is Open for Business

  June 15, 2020

  Governor Kemp announced that the major motion picture, television, and streaming companies plan to bring back and hire an estimated 40,000 production workers, who will be employed on an expected seventy-five production projects that will invest over $2 billion into the Georgia economy during the next eighteen months.

• AT&T Connecting Rural Georgia

  June 12, 2020

  AT&T – through its participation in the Federal Communications Commission’s Connect America Fund – has extended high-speed internet service to nearly 54,000 homes and businesses in rural parts of 70 counties in the state.

• Chris Clark: Immediate Action for a Strong Economic Recovery

  June 12, 2020

  In 2008, I was called to Governor Perdue’s office, given the responsibility of Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and immediately challenged to build a budget that would cut spending by 40%. Like all agency heads during the early days of the Great Recession, we worked hard to steward the public dollars while protecting employees, citizens, and in our case, Georgia’s incredible environment. And not only did we survive, we also laid a foundation for the future.

• Georgia Legal Community Steps Up During COVID19, Provides 3.3 Million Meals for State’s Food Banks

  June 11, 2020

  Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that law firms and legal organizations across Georgia raised a record-breaking 852,090 dollars during the 9th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy. This is the equivalent of over 3,331,062 meals for Georgia’s food banks, and a staggering two-fold increase in donations from last year’s competition.