January 2023 Features

• Thronateeska Museums Close Temporarily for Powerful New Exhibit Installation

  January 30, 2023

  The various Museums at Thronateeksa will close temporarily for the installation of their newest exhibit: Drugs: Cost and Consequences which opens to the public February 9, 2023. Thronateeska’s Science Museum will be the home of the Drug Enforcement Administration Museum’s traveling exhibit from February through September 2023.

• SK Battery America Exceeds Hiring Goal, On Track to Reach 3,000 Workers

  January 30, 2023

  Governor Brian Kemp today announced SK Battery America has exceeded its hiring goal of 2,600 employees two years ahead of schedule for its two lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in Commerce, Georgia. The company met its goal at the end of 2022 and is further expanding its workforce to approximately 3,000 over the next year to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles.

• CEOs Pessimistic About Revenue and Economic Growth, Survey Finds

  January 30, 2023

  GLG, the world's insight network, released the findings of its fourth annual global CEO survey, which asked more than 450 CEOs around the world about the economic impacts of 2022 and their priorities and outlooks for the year ahead.

• Phoebe Breaks Ground on Trauma & Critical Care Tower and Living & Learning Community

  January 27, 2023

  Phoebe held a joint groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for two transformational facilities that, together, represent the largest construction project in the Albany area and the most significant investment in new healthcare infrastructure in southwest Georgia in recent years.

• AG Chris Carr Talks Data Privacy Week, Offers Online Security Tips

  January 27, 2023

  Attorney General Chris Carr is encouraging all Georgians to join in recognizing Data Privacy Week from Jan. 22-28, 2023, by reviewing and adjusting their online privacy settings to protect their personal information.

• Committee Recommends Stronger Investment in Georgia Music Industry

  January 26, 2023

  The Joint Georgia Music Heritage Study Committee released its final report in December 2022, and after review, Georgia Music Partners is excited to share the study’s findings which include several significant investments designed to support and expand the state’s music industry.

• Albany Area Chamber Graduates Inaugural Class of Political Leadership Institute

  January 25, 2023

  The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce this month celebrated the graduation of the inaugural class of the Albany Area Political Leadership Institute (PLI), a nonpartisan political leadership program aimed at equipping participants for leadership on local boards and in elected office.

• 2023 GMA Visionary Cities Awards Announced for 9 Georgia Cities

  January 24, 2023

  On Jan. 22, during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Cities United Summit, nine cities from across the Peach State were recognized with the Visionary City Award.

• Draffin Tucker Celebrates 75 Years of Providing Exceptional Accounting Services

  January 23, 2023

  Draffin Tucker, a leading provider of professional accounting services, is proud to celebrate 75 years of client services. Founded in 1948, the firm has built a reputation for delivering quality service and expert advice to a wide range of clients, including small businesses, large corporations, individuals, government entities, nonprofit agencies, and healthcare providers.

• Key Industries Sustain Momentum for State's Economic Development

  January 23, 2023

  Governor Brian Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, has announced that Georgia sustained its momentum through economic development projects in key industries during the first half of Fiscal Year 2023.

• Albany ‘Lives the Dream’ through MLK Dinner, Hosted in Partnership by the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, ASU & the King Day Celebration Committee

  January 20, 2023

  Albany lived the dream on Martin Luther King Jr. Day as the community came together for the annual MLK Dinner, newly re-imagined and hosted in partnership for the first time by the Albany Area Chamber Foundation, Albany State University and the King Day Celebration Committee.

• Governor Kemp Sells Georgia to the World at Davos

  January 20, 2023

  Why the heck was Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in Davos Switzerland this week? Some that asked that question genuinely wanted to know the answer. To many in the populist wing of the Republican party, it was more of a statement, heavy with implied derision.

• New Report Announces 2,000+ Georgia Businesses Committed to Operating Generously

  January 19, 2023

  In the midst of economic uncertainty, commitment to generosity matters. More than 2,000 Georgia-based companies have pledged to operate generous businesses – caring for their employees, customers, and surrounding communities.

• Unemployment Rate Stays the Same as GDOL Welcomes New Commissioner

  January 19, 2023

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's December unemployment rate was 3 percent, unchanged from a revised 3 percent in November. Additionally, job numbers reached another all-time high, increasing by almost 6,000 from November.

• CEO Survey: A Recession is the Biggest Worry in 2023

  January 17, 2023

  As the new year begins, what will keep the world's executives up at night? CEOs in both the United States and globally say slow growth and a recession are their #1 external worry of 2023.

• Albany Area Chamber Foundation to Host 2023 MLK Dinner in Partnership with ASU and the King Day Celebration Committee

  January 13, 2023

  The Albany Area Chamber Foundation will host the 2023 MLK Dinner on Monday, January 16, in partnership with Albany State University and the King Day Celebration Committee. Presented by Colony Bank, the MLK Dinner is a celebration of the ideals of unity inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

• Charlie Harper: Atlanta’s Capitol Isn’t Washington’s

  January 13, 2023

  I made the move to writing columns for print newspapers and online publications 12 years ago this month. The goal, then and now, was to try to bring a view of state government’s operations and workings to Georgia’s voters, citizens, and taxpayers.

• GSEC Expansion Creates Unified Voice for Georgia’s Film Industry

  January 12, 2023

  All major Georgia film studios are now members of Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition (GSEC), firmly establishing the organization as the unified voice of Georgia’s film, television and digital entertainment industry.

• Monica Thornton Joins The Nature Conservancy in Georgia as Executive Director

  January 12, 2023

  Following an extensive search process which attracted dozens of qualified applicants across the country, Monica Thornton has joined The Nature Conservancy in Georgia in the role of Executive Director.

• Chick-fil-A Donates $5M to 46 Nonprofits through True Inspiration Awards Program

  January 11, 2023

  Chick-fil-A, Inc. announced the nonprofit grant recipients of the 2023 Chick-fil-A True Inspiration Awards program with a total of 46 award winners – an increase of 12 from 2022. Collectively, these organizations will receive a total of $5 million in grants to further their community efforts.

• Audit: Georgia Sales Tax Exemption on Manufacturing Proving Major Economic Driver

  January 09, 2023

  Georgia’s sales tax exemption on inputs used in manufacturing is a loser in the strict sense of its net impact on state and local tax revenues, according to a new audit.

• Michelle Williams Named Executive Director for Institutional Advancement at Albany Technical College

  January 06, 2023

  Albany Technical College is pleased to announce that Michelle Williams has assumed the position of Executive Director for Institutional Advancement, effective January 1st. In this role, Mrs. Williams will provide strategic direction, vision, and management for the college's overall institutional advancement efforts.

• Southern Company Announces Succession Plan, Chris Womack to Succeed Tom Fanning as CEO

  January 06, 2023

  Chris Womack has been appointed president of Southern Company and elected as a member of the Board of Directors of Southern Company, effective March 31st. Womack also has been appointed CEO of Southern Company effective immediately following the conclusion of Southern Company’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

• Relevance Beats Recession: How SMBs Can Prepare for Economic Downturns

  January 06, 2023

  Recession fears often drive small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to dramatically reduce their budgets. Spending cuts may keep companies afloat, but cutbacks need to be strategic. Scaling back business operations that drive sales, such as marketing, leaves businesses vulnerable to recession-driven earnings losses.

• U-Haul Ranks Georgia No. 8 Growth State

  January 05, 2023

  Texas, Florida and the Carolinas were the preferred destinations of one-way U-Haul truck customers during 2022, ranking as the top growth states on the annual U-Haul Growth Index.