December 2024 Features

• One of the Largest Gifts in Southeast Georgia History to CURE Childhood Cancer Totals $250k

  December 20, 2024

  CURE Childhood Cancer has received an extraordinary donation of $250,711.60, one of the largest gifts in Southeast Georgia, made possible by Lawrence Alexander Homes’ innovative "Build for CURE" initiative, with additional support from numerous local businesses and contractors.

• Georgia Creates Nearly 46k Job Opportunities Over Past Year, Unemployment at 3.7%

  December 20, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Georgia's November unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, up one tenth from a revised 3.6 percent in October. The unemployment rate was five-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Lawmakers Gather for 2024 Biennial Institute at UGA

  December 20, 2024

  Members of the Georgia General Assembly convened at the University of Georgia Dec. 8­-10 for the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators. Coordinated by UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government to help lawmakers prepare for the next legislative cycle, this year marked the 34th Biennial Institute.

• Chatham County Hospital Authority Trust Announces Grant Awards

  December 19, 2024

  The Chatham County Hospital Authority (CCHA) Trust is proud to announce a total of $1 million in grant awards to four nonprofit organizations to provide health care services to the indigent population in Chatham County, Georgia, through a competitive grant-making process.

• Georgia EPD Makes Historic Updates to Water Withdrawal Permit Suspension

  December 19, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp announced that the Georgia Environmental Protection Division has modified the 2012 suspension of agricultural water withdrawal permits in portions of the Lower Flint and Chattahoochee River Basins, allowing for the issuance of the first new agricultural water withdrawal permits in this area in over a decade.

• Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum Announces 2025 Emerging Leader Award Recipient

  December 18, 2024

  The Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2025 Emerging Leader Award will be LeAndrea Mkell, the Executive Director of Governmental Relations, Economic Development and Community Engagement at Savannah State University.

• Governor Announces Unified High Demand Career List to Strengthen Georgia Workforce Development

  December 18, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp announced the State Workforce Development Board has officially approved Georgia's High Demand Career List, a tool designed to align education, training, and workforce development efforts with the needs of employers across the state.

• Leadership Savannah Unveils Diverse and Dynamic Class of 2025

  December 17, 2024

  The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the selection of the Leadership Savannah Class of 2025.

• Union Mission to Serve Up to 500 Holiday Meals to those in Need

  December 17, 2024

  In the spirit of the holidays, Union Mission will serve up to 500 holiday meals, provided by Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation with the support of Sodexo, to local families and homeless individuals in need on Wednesday.

• 2025 Georgia Travel Guide Inspires Endless Exploration Across the Peach State

  December 17, 2024

  The 2025 Georgia Travel Guide is now available, offering 130 pages of inspiration for travelers of all interests. From cover to cover, the guide is a gateway to endless exploration across the Peach State, featuring a detailed state map, local tips, and insights into everything from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. It is the ultimate invitation to start planning a visit to the State of Georgia for 2025.

• Georgia’s Manufacturing Industry Offers Advanced, High-Growth Opportunities Across the State

  December 16, 2024

  Georgia’s manufacturing industry is redefining career opportunities across the state. Careers in manufacturing offer clean, safe, advanced-skills development and high-growth opportunities, with increasing talent needs.

• A Season of Gratitude: YMCA of Coastal Georgia Reflects on the Impact of Youth Workforce Development

  December 13, 2024

  This year, the YMCA of Coastal Georgia continued its commitment to youth workforce development by empowering local young people while meeting critical community needs, thanks to a generous grant from Bank of America. The funding enabled the YMCA to hire and train dozens of youth, placing them in essential roles as ifeguards and summer childcare workers across the Savannah area.

• WM Donates $100,000 To The United Way Of The Coastal Empire Disaster Relief Efforts

  December 13, 2024

  Shortly after Hurricane Helene struck the Coastal Empire, WM made a generous donation of $100,000 to United Way of the Coastal Empire’s Rapid Response Disaster Fund. This contribution is helping residents in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, Liberty, and Long Counties recover from the devastating storms and flooding.

• Georgia Creative Champion of the Year Awarded to Chris Escobar

  December 13, 2024

  Chris Escobar has been awarded Georgia's Creative Champion of 2024/2025. The honor was bestowed last night at Georgia Entertainment's Signature 100 held on Stage 5 of Assembly Studios. Over 600 producers, directors, and entertainment executives in Georgia and beyond were in attendance.

• Georgia Southern Cuts Ribbon for Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center

  December 12, 2024

  Georgia Southern University officials cut a ceremonial ribbon to open the Jack and Ruth Ann Hill Convocation Center, affectionately known as “The Hill,” in a celebration on Dec. 4. At 95,000 square feet, it is the largest event venue space between Savannah and Macon and serves as the signature building on the University’s south campus, fronting Veterans Memorial Parkway (US 301 Bypass).

• SBA Administrator Guzman Hosts Inaugural Artificial Intelligence Small Business Summit at Georgia Tech

  December 12, 2024

  On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, traveled to Atlanta to host the inaugural SBA AI Small Business Summit and officially launch SBA’s AI for Small Businesses Resource Hub.

• CEO Optimism Surges Post-Election, According to Recent Fortune/Deloitte CEO Survey

  December 12, 2024

  The Fall 2024 Fortune/Deloitte CEO survey reveals a sharp rise in optimism among CEOs, with confidence in the global economy increasing significantly as compared to the summer survey. This heightened optimism is likely influenced by a combination of potentially favorable tax environment, deregulation and support for M&A activity.

• Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum Unveils 2025 Leadership Award Recipient

  December 11, 2024

  The Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum announced today the recipient of the 2025 Leadership Award will be Savannah business leader, David Paddison.

• 16th Annual GRACE Awards Winners Announced

  December 11, 2024

  The 2024 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence Awards winners were announced Monday, Dec. 9 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The GRACE Awards Gala is the Georgia Restaurant Association’s (GRA) annual black-tie event honoring Georgia’s restaurant industry.

• Nick Laybourn of HunterMaclean: The Power and Pitfalls of Indemnity and Insurance Clauses in Contracts

  December 10, 2024

  In today’s business world, contracts are everywhere—from vendor agreements to leases. Yet, one overlooked section can pose significant risks: indemnity and insurance clauses.

• Meet Mely: A Story of Resilience and Hope

  December 10, 2024

  Mely, a sophomore at Georgia Gwinnett College majoring in psychology, is a true example of resilience and transformation. Entering foster care at 11, she faced the challenges of living in multiple group homes and foster placements, all while grappling with the uncertainty of life without a permanent family.

• Georgia DOT Awards 23 Construction Contracts for Statewide Transportation Projects

  December 10, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded 23 projects across the state in October, encompassing bridge rehabilitation, resurfacing, construction, safety improvements, and new bridge construction.

• SBAC Hosts Annual Holiday Luncheon, Honoring Achievements and Award Recipients

  December 09, 2024

  The Small Business Assistance Corporation celebrated its Annual Holiday Award Luncheon on December 4th at the Savannah Golf Club. The event acknowledged the organization’s staff and volunteers’ contributions to the organization and honored businesses and community supporters through recognition of its annual award.

• United Way Announces Stacy Jennings as 2025 Woman of the Year

  December 09, 2024

  United Way of the Coastal Empire is proud to announce that the 2025 Women Who Rule event will honor community leader and dedicated United Way supporter Stacy Jennings as the 2025 United Way “Woman of the Year.” The annual luncheon, chaired by Suzanne Kirk of Employee Development Strategies, Inc., will be held March 4 at the Savannah Convention Center.

• Georgia’s Economy will Grow in 2025, but More Slowly

  December 09, 2024

  Georgia’s economy is projected to grow by 2.4% in 2025, a slowdown from the 3.1% the state saw in 2024. However, the state’s GDP is projected to grow faster than the nation’s, which forecasters project to grow by 1.6% in 2025.