November 2025 Features

• Virginia Transformer to Create 400 Jobs in Effingham Expansion

  November 21, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp announced that Virginia Transformer Corp. will invest $40 million to expand its existing manufacturing facility near Rincon, creating over 400 new jobs in Effingham County. The Rincon facility operates as Georgia Transformer.

• AAA: Upwards of 2.3 Million Georgians Expected to Travel for Thanksgiving

  November 21, 2025

  AAA projects that 2.3 million Georgians will travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period, which runs from Tuesday, November 25th to Monday, December 1st. This marks a 1.4% increase over last year and sets a new record for Thanksgiving travel in Georgia.

• Alfredo Ortiz of the Job Creators Network: Georgia’s Smartest Tax Strategy Also Builds Tomorrow’s Workforce

  November 21, 2025

  Georgia businesses are constantly seeking ways to reduce their tax burden, strengthen their workforce, and invest in long-term economic growth. Georgia’s new foster care tax credit delivers on all three.

• AT&T Honored for Unwavering Commitment to Connecting Georgians to Greater Possibility

  November 20, 2025

  goBeyondProfit, a first-of-its-kind business leader initiative that inspires business generosity, today announced AT&T Georgia as the recipient of the 2025 goBeyondProfit Champion Award. AT&T was nominated and selected by fellow Georgia business leaders for its commitment to connecting Georgians to greater possibility, demonstrating that purpose and profit are intrinsically linked.

• City of Savannah Recaps FY2026 Budget Retreat, Invites Residents to Upcoming Public Hearings

  November 20, 2025

  The City of Savannah is recapping its annual FY2026 Budget Retreat, held Monday at the Savannah Civic Center, where City Council, the City Manager, and staff spent a full day publicly reviewing the proposed budget, discussing strategic priorities, and outlining how resources will be invested in neighborhoods throughout Savannah.

• Secretary of State Completes GOALS System Rollout; New Licensing Hub Leads the Way in Faster, Smarter Professional Licensing

  November 20, 2025

  Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger joined local officials and agency staff on Thursday to mark the complete rollout of the Georgia Online Application & Licensing System (GOALS) - the driving force behind Georgia’s newly unveiled, state-of-the-art licensing framework.

• City of Port Wentworth Development Authority to Host Economic Outlook Luncheon

  November 19, 2025

  The City of Port Wentworth’s Economic Development Authority announces its annual economic outlook luncheon that will explore the current landscape and future opportunities in our region. “The 2026 Outlook: Economics. Politics. Business.” is slated for Wednesday, Dec. 17th at the Georgia Tech Savannah Campus.

• Port of Savannah Container Volumes Up 4% Through October

  November 18, 2025

  The Port of Savannah handled 4.8 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in calendar year 2025 through October, up 183,250 TEUs or 4 percent. Monthly volumes in October totaled 452,934 TEUs, a decrease of 8.4 percent or 41,325 TEUs compared to October 2024.

• Superintendent Woods: We Must Act Now to Strengthen and Sustain Georgia’s Educator Workforce

  November 18, 2025

  As State School Superintendent, my top priority is making sure our education system prepares every student for life – for productive, successful, fulfilling futures. That starts with investing in our educators, the people who make learning possible.

• The Inaugural Savannah Southern Half Marathon Welcomes Nearly 4,500 Runners to the Historic Streets of Savannah

  November 17, 2025

  The inaugural Savannah Southern Half Marathon drew nearly 4,500 participants to Savannah on Nov. 15th. The event featured two distances, the marquee half marathon and the Fleet Feet 5K, each offering runners a one-of-a-kind tour through the city of Savannah.

• Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes Unveils Bold Strategic Plan to Transform Georgia Department of Labor

  November 17, 2025

  Commissioner Bárbara Rivera Holmes today unveiled a new comprehensive strategic plan for the Georgia Department of Labor — a bold blueprint for transformation grounded in innovation, operational excellence, and elevated public service. The plan reimagines how the department functions, with a clear mission to rebuild trust, modernize systems, and lead with purpose — all in service of a stronger, more resilient Georgia economy.

• USG Enrollment Surges to Record High, Marking Third Year of Growth

  November 17, 2025

  University System of Georgia enrollment climbed this fall to an all-time record of 382,142 students. The 4.8% increase in enrollment over Fall 2024 marks a third consecutive year of growth for the system.

• Vaden Automotive Expands Footprint in Hinesville with Acquisition of Mike Reed Chevrolet

  November 14, 2025

  Vaden Automotive is proud to announce its acquisition of Mike Reed Chevrolet, a dealership that has served the Hinesville and Liberty County communities for more than two decades.

• Big Bon Bodega to Re-Launch Miss Sophie’s Restaurant at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force

  November 14, 2025

  Big Bon Bodega, an award-winning neighborhood eatery and community gathering place featured on Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” is deeply honored to re-launch Miss Sophie’s restaurant at the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, serving classic, Southern-style lunch favorites.

• 2025 College & Career Ready Performance Index Shows Improvements Across State

  November 14, 2025

  The 2025 College & Career Ready Performance Index shows improvements across all grade bands in Content Mastery and Readiness, along with Graduation Rate for high schools.

• Georgia Southern University Fall Enrollment Reaches Remarkable New Heights

  November 13, 2025

  The number of students who chose Georgia Southern University for the Fall 2025 Semester continues to soar, according to official Fall 2025 enrollment data, verified by the University System of Georgia. The University’s official Fall 2025 total enrollment is a record-breaking 29,633, a 7.73% increase over Fall 2024, and the University’s highest enrollment in its history.

• Atlanta Fed President Bostic to Retire at the End of Current Term

  November 13, 2025

  Dr. Raphael W. Bostic, president and chief executive officer of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, today announced his intention to retire at the end of his current term, which officially concludes on February 28, 2026.

• Startup Savannah Announces LIFTOFF 2025, An Exciting Entrepreneurial Showcase

  November 12, 2025

  Startup Savannah has announced Service Brewing Company as the Presenting “Pilot” Sponsor of LIFTOFF 2025, the culminating showcase for the organization’s entrepreneurial accelerator programs.

• Board of Regents Elects David Dove as New Chair & Deep Shah Vice Chair for 2026

  November 12, 2025

  The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia elected current Vice Chair David B. Dove to a one-year term as the Board’s new chair and Regent Deep J. Shah to a one-year term as the Board’s vice chair.

• Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum Announces 2026 Date and Initial Speakers

  November 11, 2025

  The Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum announced today the 2026 Forum will be a one-day powerful event with an elevated experience and high impact program to be held Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Kehoe Iron Works at Trustees Garden.

• St. Joseph's/Candler’s 23rd SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo Set New Fundraising Record

  November 11, 2025

  The SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo raised yet another record amount – $282,031 – through proceeds and donations for St. Joseph's/Candler’s Mary Telfair Mammography Fund. The fund offers life-saving mammograms and other breast health services for uninsured and underinsured women in the Savannah region.

• The Kennickell Group Expands Digital Embellishment Capabilities with Second MGI Device

  November 10, 2025

  The Kennickell Group, a leader in high-quality print production and marketing services, has announced the addition of a second MGI digital embellishment press — the MGI 3DL with iFoil technology. The new equipment arrived Thursday of last week, further expanding the company’s growing suite of advanced print enhancement capabilities.

• Georgia Hospitals Generate $137 Billion for State Economy

  November 10, 2025

  The Georgia Hospital Association released its annual economic impact data, highlighting the $137 billion Georgia hospitals contribute to the state’s economy. This is a $15 billion, or 12.3%, increase from the prior year.

• Saxby Chambliss and Chris Womack Appointed 2026 Georgia Trustees

  November 07, 2025

  The Georgia Historical Society announced today that Saxby Chambliss, former U.S. Senator, and Chris Womack, Chairman, President, and CEO of Southern Company, will be inducted by the Georgia Historical Society and the Office of the Governor as the newest Georgia Trustees on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Trustees Gala in Savannah.

• Are You Engaging the Right Generation? The Truth About Effective Community Outreach

  November 07, 2025

  For years, business generosity was synonymous with a company’s s community outreach, but new research from the 2025 Generosity by the Generations Report confirms that this definition has dramatically shifted. While community impact remains a crucial element of the generosity conversation, it is no longer the primary driver for most employees’ loyalty.