May 2021 Features

• Georgia Secures AAA Bond Rating in 2021

  May 28, 2021

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced Georgia again secured the highest ratings of AAA with a stable outlook from each of the three main credit rating agencies: FitchRatings, Moody’s Investors Service, and S&P Global Ratings.

• Savannah Serves Largest Vessel Ever, the 16,000+ TEU Marco Polo

  May 27, 2021

  The largest container ship to ever serve the U.S. East Coast called on the largest single container facility in North America Wednesday.

• As Country Rebuilds from Pandemic, Beer Industry Releases New Study on its Economic Impact in Georgia

  May 27, 2021

  Today, the Beer Institute and the National Beer Wholesalers Association released their biennial Beer Serves America report on the economic importance of the nation's beer industry. Bars, restaurants, sporting events and concerts are critical to Georgia’s economy and the U.S. economy at large, particularly as the country looks to recover and safely reopen.

• State Purchases Economic Development Mega-Site in Bryan County

  May 26, 2021

  Governor Kemp announced the authorization to purchase a 2,284-acre economic development site in partnership between the State of Georgia and the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority (JDA). The strategic purchase of the Bryan County Mega-Site is the largest in state history.

• SBA Launches ‘Community Navigator Pilot’ Program Application

  May 26, 2021

  The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it is accepting applications for its new Community Navigator Pilot Program. This new initiative, established by the American Rescue Plan, will leverage a community navigator approach to reach our nation’s smallest businesses, with a priority focus on those owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, as well as women and veterans.

• Georgia Power Announces $75 Million Investment in Racial Equity & Social Justice Efforts

  May 25, 2021

  Georgia Power today announced the company and the Georgia Power Foundation are committing to invest $15 million annually from 2021-2025, $75 million over the five-year period, to help advance racial equity and social justice efforts in Georgia.

• Business Ownership Key for Economic Recovery in U.S. Cities, New Report Shows

  May 24, 2021

  The National League of Cities (NLC) and the Democracy at Work Institute (DAWI) released today new guidance for U.S. cities to pursue equitable post-COVID economic recovery through the use of employee ownership.

• Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Continued to Drop in April

  May 21, 2021

  The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) announced that Georgia’s unemployment rate dropped another 0.2 percentage points to reach 4.3 percent in April.

• United Way of the Coastal Empire Celebrates 2020 Accomplishments and Inducts New Officers at Annual Meeting

  May 20, 2021

  United Way of the Coastal Empire had lots to celebrate in its 83rd Annual Meeting Luncheon. Outgoing Board Chair Larry Silbermann reflected on the great achievements the organization has accomplished in the last year through the generosity and resilience from more than 13,000 individuals, companies, and organizations.

• State Lawmaker Wants to Create Cyberforce in Georgia

  May 20, 2021

  While the gas shortage seems to be easing in most areas across the state following the ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline, the concern about future attacks is still on the minds of many state officials. In fact, the incident has driven one state lawmaker to look into ways to address this in Georgia.

• Historic Savannah Foundation Honors 2021 Preservation Award Winners

  May 18, 2021

  Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) held a virtual celebration of preservation in our community with its annual Preservation Awards. The nonprofit institution presented awards to individuals, organizations, and companies who embody and practice excellence in preservation in Savannah and Chatham County.

• Partnership for Inclusive Innovation Awards Grant to First-of-its-Kind, Statewide Farm Ownership Program

  May 18, 2021

  Today, the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation announced a $250,000 grant for The Conservation Fund’s Georgia Working Farms Fund program – the first and only program in the U.S. to offer end-to-end support for next-generation farmers, including a path to farm ownership and access to established markets to sell their products.

• goBeyondProfit Invites Business Executives to CEO Conversation: Navigating Rising Expectations in Georgia

  May 17, 2021

  goBeyondProfit will host a CEO Conversation via Zoom this Thursday, May 20th at 2pm featuring a panel of prominent business executives discussing the recently released corporate generosity report: Navigating Rising Expectations in Georgia.

• Savannah Country Day School to Break Ground on Upper School STEM Building

  May 14, 2021

  Savannah Country Day School has announced that it has secured the funding to begin construction on a new 32,000 sq. ft. Upper School building.

• Governor Kemp, State Labor Commissioner Announce Economic Recovery Plan

  May 14, 2021

  Governor Brian P. Kemp & Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced Georgia’s plan for reemployment and economic recovery. To address workforce shortages and boost a full economic recovery, state labor officials plan to end Georgia’s participation in federal pandemic unemployment programs, effective Saturday, June 26th.

• Savannah SCORE presents "Go Getter! - Jumpstart Your Womanpreneurship!", a Live Online Event for Women Who Want to Start Their Own Business

  May 13, 2021

  Savannah SCORE presents a live online event for women who want to start their own business, “Go Getter! - Jumpstart your Womanpreneurship!”

• Savannah Technical College is Named a National Model of Excellence Chapter by SkillsUSA

  May 13, 2021

  Savannah Technical College was selected as a Model of Excellence chapter for 2021. This annual recognition honors exceptional integration of personal, workplace and technical skills into SkillsUSA chapter activities. It is the highest honor bestowed on chapters by SkillsUSA, which is among the largest student organizations for career and technical education.

• NFIB: Optimism High but Job Openings at Record Highs

  May 13, 2021

  Seeming to confirm concerns about workers being reluctant to re-enter the workforce, the National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB) latest Small Business Optimism Index rose to 99.8% in April, up 1.6% from March. The index has increased nearly five points since the beginning of the year but nearly half of business owners report job openings going unfilled.

• WebstaurantStore to Expand Georgia Presence, Create 100+ Jobs in Chatham County

  May 12, 2021

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that WebstaurantStore, a supplier to food service professionals around the world, will open a distribution center in Chatham County, creating more than 100 jobs. The company also currently has two facilities in Albany, Georgia, which employ more than 350 Georgians.

• Amazon Fulfillment Center Coming to Savannah With 1,000 Jobs

  May 10, 2021

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Amazon will expand its significant presence in Georgia with a new fulfillment center planned in Savannah, Georgia. The new facility will feature innovative Amazon robotics technology and create 1,000 full-time jobs.

• Finalist Named for the Savannah State University Presidency

  May 07, 2021

  Board of Regents Chairman Sachin Shailendra and University System of Georgia (USG) Chancellor Steve Wrigley have announced Interim President Kimberly Ballard-Washington as the sole finalist for president of Savannah State University.

• Chris Clark & Santiago Marquez: Georgia Needs Dreamers for a Robust Economic Recovery

  May 07, 2021

  It has been clear from the start of the pandemic that this is not simply a public health crisis. Businesses of all sizes were negatively impacted and, much like the rest of the country, Georgia’s economy took a hit. Fortunately, Georgia has already begun economic recovery efforts due to our state’s earlier re-opening leading to a 4.8% unemployment rate as opposed to the national rate of 6.2%.

• How Tech will Smooth the Return to Global Travel: A Q&A with Delta’s Innovation Leader

  May 07, 2021

  With summer ahead and more customers taking steps to return to the skies, Delta has continued to find new ways to welcome customers back with less guesswork.

• Union Mission Announces $1.5M Capital Campaign to Expand Emergency Housing Programs to Unaccompanied, Homeless Women

  May 06, 2021

  Union Mission announces a $1.5 million Capital Campaign, A Haven for Her, to expand service delivery to 32-women as part of a new Grace House for Women. Union Mission plans to renovate the building at 125 Fahm Street that has been vacated by J.C. Lewis Health Care.

• Explore Georgia Launches Marketing Campaign & Travel Guide To Support Tourism Recovery

  May 05, 2021

  To celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, Governor Brian P. Kemp in conjunction with Explore Georgia, the state tourism office within the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), announced several new initiatives to increase visitation and support tourism recovery in the state.