October 2021 Features

• Albany Sees an All-Time Low Unemployment Rate

  October 29, 2021

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said Thursday that Albany recorded an all-time low unemployment rate of 3.3 percent, down nine-tenths of a percent over the month. A year ago, the rate was 7.6 percent.

• The Supply Chain is Broken. Here’s Why.

  October 29, 2021

  Whether it’s because of COVID cancellations, labor shortages or increased demand, America’s supply chain system is choking. As we approach the busiest shopping season of the year, containers are piling up at the nation’s ports, and many consumers worry their gift purchases will be backlogged or unavailable.

• 2022’s Best States to Live Off the Grid

  October 28, 2021

  Whether you feel overconnected or want to save the planet, moving off the grid can help you both unplug and live more sustainably.

• Georgia Council for the Arts Awards 67 Organizations $600,000 in Grant Funding

  October 27, 2021

  Georgia Council for the Arts, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced the recipients of the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities grant awards for fiscal year 2022.

• Georgia Public Policy Foundation: Supply Chain Snags and Silver Linings

  October 25, 2021

  Suddenly, “supply chain” and “logistics” have joined “Go Braves” and “Go Dawgs” as some of the most uttered phrases in the state. The first two are not because of a newfound love of drivers and warehouse workers, however, nor because of a winning streak.

• GaDOE Names Office of Rural Education and Innovation after Dr. Butch Mosely

  October 22, 2021

  The Georgia Department of Education's new office to support rural schools and districts will now be known as the Dr. David “Butch" Mosely Office of Rural Education and Innovation, State School Superintendent Richard Woods announced.

• Lee County to Become Home to New $220M Solar Farm

  October 22, 2021

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced today during a groundbreaking ceremony that Silicon Ranch Corporation, the U.S. solar platform for Shell and one of the nation’s largest independent producers of solar power, has committed to invest more than $220 million in Lee County, Georgia to construct the 250-megawatt (MWAC) DeSoto Solar Farm.

• Georgia Sets Record-low Unemployment Rate Achieving Highest Number of Employed Georgians Since Pandemic

  October 22, 2021

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia's unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point to 3.2 percent in September, an all-time low for Georgia dipping below the rate of 3.3 percent in January 2020.

• Colquitt County Rolls Out New Community Brand Identity: Where Life Grows

  October 21, 2021

  Growth. That’s the mindset behind a new brand identity for Colquitt County. The brand and tagline, “Where Life Grows,” reflect the area’s agricultural roots and quality of life. They were borne out of an 18-month process facilitated by UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government and Archway Partnership.

• SBDC Food Entrepreneur Class Coming Up in Albany

  October 18, 2021

  The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center is bringing food experts to Southwest Georgia for an Oct. 21-22 workshop that helps food entrepreneurs bring their products to market.

• USG Foundation Raises More than $625,000 for Need-Based Scholarships

  October 15, 2021

  The 17th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala on Wednesday evening raised more than $625,000 from generous sponsors and a live auction to support and provide need-based scholarships for University System of Georgia (USG) students across the state.

• Southwest Georgia Regional Job Fair to Connect Employers and Job Seekers Throughout Region

  October 14, 2021

  To connect Southwest Georgia residents with career opportunities throughout the region, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, Albany Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Albany Area Chamber of Commerce are joining forces with the Flint River Entertainment Complex to lead a regional career placement initiative by hosting the Southwest Georgia Regional Job Fair on November 9 at the Albany Civic Center from 2 p.m. – 7 p.m.

• CEO Confidence Retreated in Q3, but CEOs Remain Optimistic

  October 14, 2021

  The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence in collaboration with The Business Council retreated in the third quarter of 2021, after hitting an all-time high in Q2. The measure now stands at 67, down from 82.

• Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Presents 20 Statewide Preservation Awards at Ceremony

  October 13, 2021

  The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation presented 20 awards recognizing the best of preservation in Georgia during its 44th annual Preservation Awards ceremony in Macon.

• Southwest Georgia Kicks Off 2021 Toys for Tots Campaign

  October 12, 2021

  Staff Sgt. Luis Fernandez and HM1 Alexander Collins, coordinators, Toys for Tots, and Capt. Rebecca Sullivan, commanding officer, Salvation Army, gathered aboard Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany to formally kickoff the 74th annual Toys for Tots campaign, Oct. 7th.

• Small Businesses Hit By Supply Chain Woes Spending More To Overcome Issues

  October 12, 2021

  In the midst of having to navigate waves of COVID-19 and lockdowns, 87% of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have maintained, or spent more, on transportation, logistics, and expediting to overcome shortages -- this according to the "Logistics: Heads Up" study from Cargo.

• Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark: Challenge Accepted: Solving Georgia's Labor Crisis

  October 11, 2021

  Across our state, workforce shortages persist, impacting every industry and size of business. And though we have witnessed an unprecedented global pandemic, this war for talent existed long before 2020 as employers began to experience mismatched skill sets in their job candidates. Notwithstanding, COVID-19 accelerated this trend.

• Georgia Power to Launch First Battery Energy Storage System on State’s Transmission Grid

  October 11, 2021

  Georgia Power has received approval from the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to build, own, and operate a new battery energy storage system. Known as the Mossy Branch Battery Facility, the grid-charging battery system is located on 2.5-acres in Talbot County, near Columbus.

• Albany State University Sees Fundraising Success

  October 08, 2021

  Albany State University has seen fundraising success by raising $1.1 million in fiscal year 2021, making it the third year of consecutive growth. This resulted in awarding $256,976 in scholarships to 409 students.

• October's Georgia National Fair & Sunbelt Ag Expo are Headline Events for Ag Community

  October 08, 2021

  With the harvest season in full swing, October brings the welcome return of two of the largest events of the year for the agricultural and environmental science communities: the Georgia National Fair and the Sunbelt Agricultural Expo.

• Resilient Georgia Makes Mental Wellness More Accessible in Georgia by Expanding to 12 Statewide Regions

  October 08, 2021

  Resilient Georgia, a statewide coalition of organizations building a more resilient, trauma-informed Georgia, now reaches more than half of all Georgia counties with 12 regional coalitions ensuring urban and rural communities statewide have access to behavioral health resources.

• 4C Academy Selected as College and Career Academy of the Year

  October 07, 2021

  The Commodore Conyers College and Career Academy (4C Academy) has been selected as the 2021 College and Career Academy of the Year. The announcement was made at the Lt. Governor’s Annual Business and Education Summit where the 4C Academy was recognized for its strong community partnerships, its growing internship program, and its innovative project-based learning initiatives.

• GMA Annual Convention: Esteemed Leaders Inducted into the Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame

  October 07, 2021

  On Aug. 9th, five city leaders were inducted into the Municipal Government Hall of Fame, which was established in 1992 to recognize current and past municipal officials who exemplify the very best in public service and who, throughout their careers, have made extraordinary contributions to municipal government, and have been strong supporters of GMA.

• Georgia Historical Society Names Dan Cathy and Shirley Franklin as 2022 Georgia Trustees

  October 06, 2021

  The Georgia Historical Society (GHS) announced today that Dan Cathy, Chairman and CEO of Chick-fil-A, and Shirley Franklin, former Mayor of Atlanta and civic leader, will be inducted by the Georgia Historical Society and Governor Brian Kemp as the newest Georgia Trustees on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at the Trustees Gala in Savannah. It is the highest honor the State of Georgia can confer.

• Businesses are Emerging from Pandemic Better Equipped to Handle Advanced Customer Expectations

  October 06, 2021

  The pandemic forced brands to accelerate their digital transformation, leading to vast improvements in brand experiences that are streamlined and connected across in-person and digital touchpoints.