July 2024 Features

• Brunswick Sets Cargo Record While Savannah Suffers Slight Decline

  July 31, 2024

  The Port of Brunswick had a better year than the Port of Savannah, the Georgia Ports Authority reported Tuesday.

• State Health Coverage Commission Begins Work

  July 30, 2024

  A newly created state commission looking for ways to improve health-care access and quality for low-income uninsured Georgians held its kickoff meeting last Thursday.

• ACE Celebrates 24-Year Legacy of Funding Georgia Small Business Owners at It's 2024 Annual Awards Fundraiser

  July 30, 2024

  Recognizing small businesses and the communities they serve is not only a duty of ACE – it is truly an honor. ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs Inc. is pleased to announce its Fundraiser for the 2024 Annual Awards Event taking place on September 19th from 4 PM – 7 PM at the magnificent Savanna Hall at Zoo Atlanta.

• Georgia Milestones Test Scores Show Post-pandemic Improvement

  July 29, 2024

  Students showed continued improvement in the latest Georgia Milestones tests that cratered during the pandemic, the state Department of Education reported Friday.

• Georgia Chamber of Commerce Nominations for the 2024 Rural Awards Still Open

  July 29, 2024

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the nominations process for the inaugural Georgia Chamber Rural Awards. These awards recognize the outstanding efforts of individuals, businesses, organizations, programs, and communities that have implemented innovative strategies and mission-based initiatives to address challenges and promote prosperity in Georgia’s rural areas.

• Employees Make Historic Sacrifices to Preserve Quality of Life: Data Confirms Georgians Make Tough Choices Due to Gaps in Family-Focused Benefits

  July 26, 2024

  Employees are increasingly prioritizing overall wellness and benefits that enable them to help their families thrive. A new report by goBeyondProfit reveals widening gaps between what companies are currently offering and what employees are looking for in an employer.

• AT&T Expands Fiber Network in Albany

  July 24, 2024

  AT&T Fiber is available to nearly 16,000 residential and business locations in parts of the Albany community. The expanded network will give more customers access to super-fast internet speeds up to 5-Gigs.

• Georgia's AAA Bond Rating Reaffirmed by S&P

  July 24, 2024

  At the start of an international trip to promote the No. 1 state for business and further job creation in Georgia, Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed its "AAA with a stable outlook" assessment for the state's credit worthiness.

• Phoebe Community Report Highlights Health System’s Impact on Southwest Georgia

  July 23, 2024

  Phoebe provides a higher percentage of its operating expenses on charity care for indigent patients than almost any health system in the country. That’s just one aspect of Phoebe’s impact on southwest Georgia that is highlighted in the health system’s 2024 Community Report.

• FSA Stories: Jackyln’s Story from Fostering Success Act, Inc

  July 23, 2024

  Meet Jackyln, a sophomore at Georgia Tech studying biochemistry. Her path from foster care to a promising career in forensics showcases her determination and resilience, and she thanks Georgia taxpayers for making it possible.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Remains World’s Busiest Airport

  July 23, 2024

  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has once again been recognized as the busiest airport in the world by Airports Council International World, according to the latest ACI World Airport Traffic Dataset for 2023.

• Georgia Among States Leading in New Businesses

  July 22, 2024

  A new study has named the top ten states submitting the most business applications, and Georgia comes in at #4.

• Public Service Commission to Take Up Plan to Add New Fossil Fuels to Energy Mix

  July 22, 2024

  Georgia energy regulators already have approved a request by Georgia Power for a significant increase in electrical generating capacity to meet the needs of a growing state.

• Confidence Among Small and Midsize Business CEOs Dips in Q2 2024

  July 22, 2024

  Small and midsize business CEO confidence decreased slightly to 83.3 in Q2 2024, according to the latest CEO Confidence Index released by CEO coaching and peer advisory organization Vistage.

• Gov. Kemp Announces Details for $1.5B Transportation Infrastructure Investment

  July 19, 2024

  Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced new details for the historic $1.5 billion investment in transportation infrastructure around the state included in the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget.

• Summer Job Market Sees Influx of Graduates, Slight Rise in June Unemployment

  July 19, 2024

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's June unemployment rate was 3.3, up one-tenth from a revised 3.2 percent in May. The unemployment rate was eight-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• How to Best Prioritize Limited Funds for Impactful Community Investments

  July 18, 2024

  While Georgia’s businesses have long been the backbone of strong communities, a new report by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO reveals meaningful shifts in community care and offers executives insight on how best to invest limited funds.

• Report Highlights "Kemp Administration’s Extraordinary Successes in the Health Insurance World"

  July 17, 2024

  In case you missed it, a report recently released by the Georgia Public Policy Foundation examined the health insurance marketplace in Georgia since Governor Kemp took office.

• Deloitte: Back-to-School Spending Expected to Flatten Amid Financial Concerns

  July 16, 2024

  As families navigate the excitement of the back-to-school season, they're balancing between fulfilling what their children need and splurging on the novelties they want. The cost of school supplies has increased 24.5% over the past four years (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index).

• Albany Area Chamber’s State of the Base Discussion Enlightens, Celebrates

  July 15, 2024

  The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the partnership between Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and the Albany Area community Thursday during its Military Affairs Rise N Shine, hosted at the Exchange Club of Albany.

• Georgia Chamber President & CEO Chris Clark Receives Prestigious GACCE Legacy Award

  July 15, 2024

  Georgia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Chris Clark, CCE received the GACCE Legacy Award, the most prestigious prize awarded the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. Clark received the award on Thursday, July 11 at the GACCE Executive Leadership Conference held on St. Simons Island, Ga.

• Slim Chickens Gears Up for July 22nd Opening in Albany

  July 12, 2024

  Slim Chickens, a leader in the “better chicken” segment of fast-casual restaurants, will continue expansion of its all-natural, fresh chicken and unrivaled flavor in Georgia, with its newest opening at 2533 Dawson Rd. in Albany on July 22nd.

• 10 Georgia Destinations Ranked Among ‘World’s Best’ by Travel + Leisure

  July 12, 2024

  Islands, cities, and hotels across Georgia earned coveted spots in Travel + Leisure’s 2024 World’s Best Awards announced July 9th. Travel + Leisure is one of the world’s leading travel media brands, and its annual reader survey-based awards program is considered the travel industry’s most trusted rankings.

• Albany State University Holds Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Nursing and Health Sciences Simulation Center

  July 11, 2024

  Albany State University recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Nursing and Health Sciences Simulation Center. The ceremony included remarks from Interim President Dr. Lawrence Drake II, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, USG Regent and President and CEO of the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, Barbara Rivera-Holmes.

• Georgia Council for the Arts Awards More Than $3.5M in Grant Funding to Support Arts Organizations

  July 11, 2024

  Georgia Council for the Arts, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, today announced that more than $3.5 million in competitive grant funding will be distributed to recipients across the state through its Bridge, Project, and Arts Education Program grants.