March 2025 Features

• Georgia and Canada: More Than Friends—Family

  March 31, 2025

  While national headlines may focus on the broader U.S.-Canada relationship, Georgia’s connection with Canada is distinct, deep-rooted, and thriving. Years ago, a U.S. Consul General in Toronto referred to Canadians as “Georgians of the North”—a sentiment that still holds true today.

• Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Selected as Blue Star Families Outpost, Strengthening Support for Military Families in Southwest Georgia

  March 28, 2025

  The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce has been selected as a Blue Star Families Outpost, a designation that deepens the Chamber’s commitment to the military-connected families of Southwest Georgia.

• Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Celebrates Grand Opening in Georgia

  March 28, 2025

  Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America hosted its Grand Opening celebration, as part of Hyundai Motor Group’s commitment to and investment in the U.S. The ceremony marks the completion of the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history, just two and a half years after breaking ground.

• Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Holds at 3.6% as State Adds 7,200 Jobs

  March 28, 2025

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia's February unemployment rate was 3.6 percent, unchanged from a revised 3.6 percent in January. The unemployment rate was five-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Shaunae Motley Announces Departure as President and CEO of United Way of Southwest Georgia

  March 27, 2025

  After six years of dedicated service, Shaunae Motley will step down as President & CEO of United Way of Southwest Georgia.

• Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame Inducts Leaders in Education and Business for 2025

  March 27, 2025

  A visionary leader in agricultural education and research and a stalwart agricultural industry supporter and business leader were inducted into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame on March 21st.

• Georgia Lawmakers Focusing on Artificial Intelligence

  March 26, 2025

  By the time the 2025 General Assembly session gavels to a close early next month, Georgia lawmakers are expected to have taken the first steps to come to grips with the growth of artificial intelligence technology.

• Albany Area Chamber Names Matt Reed as Interim President & CEO: Local Business Leader to Guide Chamber Through Transition

  March 25, 2025

  The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has named Matt Reed, a respected business leader and dedicated community advocate, Interim President & CEO. His appointment follows the recent announcement that Bárbara Rivera Holmes has been appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor.

• 4C Academy to Launch Student-Driven Fresh Market in Downtown Albany

  March 24, 2025

  The Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy has plans to launch "4C on Front," a student-driven fresh market located on Front Street in downtown Albany later this year. The market will feature produce from the school's garden as well as entrepreneurial goods created by student entrepreneurs.

• Tort Reform Gains Final Passage in General Assembly

  March 24, 2025

  A tort reform bill Republican Gov. Brian Kemp made his top priority for this year’s legislative session gained final passage in the General Assembly Friday.

• 2025 Georgia Logistics Summit Announces Speaker Lineup and Agenda

  March 21, 2025

  The 2025 Georgia Logistics Summit, to be held in Atlanta, April 23, 2025, at the Cobb Galleria Centre, has announced its keynote speakers and agenda.

• One in Eight Jobs Across State Related to Savannah, Brunswick Ports

  March 21, 2025

  Port activity in Georgia now supports more than 600,000 full- and part-time jobs across the Peach State, according to an economic impact study by the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. The statewide number is up 48,000 jobs or 8.6 percent compared to FY21.

• 2025 Southwest Georgia Regional Job Fair Set for April 17th

  March 20, 2025

  The 2025 Southwest Georgia Regional Job Fair is set to take place on Thursday, April 17th, at the Albany Civic Center, bringing together employers and job seekers for one of the region’s largest hiring events.

• Tort Reform Passes Another Hurdle In General Assembly

  March 20, 2025

  Comprehensive tort reform legislation Gov. Brian Kemp has made his top priority for the 2025 General Assembly session cleared a committee in the Georgia House of Representatives.

• Governor Appoints Bárbara Rivera Holmes as State DOL Commissioner

  March 19, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp announced his appointment of Bárbara Rivera Holmes as Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Labor. Joined by her family and supporters, she will be sworn into office on April 4th and serve the remainder of the term won by Bruce Thompson in 2022, who sadly passed away last November.

• Finalists Advance to the 2025 Flavor of Georgia Finale

  March 19, 2025

  A record-breaking 173 products were entered into the 2025 Flavor of Georgia Food Product Contest, setting the stage for an exciting competition on April 17th at The Classic Center in downtown Athens.

• Albany Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Bárbara Rivera Holmes Announces Resignation

  March 18, 2025

  The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors announced that President & CEO Bárbara Rivera Holmes will step down from her position effective March 28th. Holmes has served the Chamber and the Albany Area community with distinction for nearly a decade.

• Epic Atlanta ’96 Olympic Race Relations Story to Premiere during Atlanta Film Festival

  March 18, 2025

  Atlanta Story Partners announced that its feature documentary “The Games in Black & White” which is centered around the enduring friendship of Ambassador Andrew Young and 1996 Olympic CEO Billy Payne, will have its world premiere as a Special Presentation of the 49th Annual Atlanta Film Festival.

• Georgia Department of Agriculture Celebrates Georgia Ag Week

  March 17, 2025

  The Georgia Department of Agriculture invites all Georgians to join in celebrating Georgia’s farmers and the state’s #1 industry during Georgia Ag Week, March 17-23, 2025. This week-long celebration honors the resilience and dedication of Georgia’s farm families, who are the backbone of the state’s economy.

• Tort Reform Pros And Cons Aired Out Under Gold Dome

  March 17, 2025

  Both sides of the controversial tort reform issue got their say at the Georgia Capitol Thursday, not on either the state House or Senate floors but in the hallways under the Gold Dome. A group of business owners held a news conference Thursday morning to endorse legislation Gov. Brian Kemp has singled out as his top priority for the 2025 General Assembly session.

• Georgia Cities Make Their Mark in Nation’s Capital

  March 14, 2025

  Every March, thousands of city officials from all over the United States descend on Washington, D.C. for the National League of Cities’ Congressional City Conference. This year, over 100 Georgia city officials participated and spent their days engaging with peers, experts, federal agencies and Members of Congress on issues impacting their cities.

• AG Chris Carr Secures Nearly $80M for Georgia Taxpayers and Consumers in 2024

  March 14, 2025

  Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that his Consumer Protection Division secured over $38 million for Georgia taxpayers in 2024, along with more than $39.3 million in savings and restitution for Georgia consumers.

• Dr. Michelle Johnston to be Inaugurated as Georgia Southwestern’s 12th and First Female President

  March 13, 2025

  Georgia Southwestern State University will formally inaugurate Michelle R. Johnston, Ph.D., as its 12th – and first female president – during a special Investiture Ceremony on Friday, Mar. 28 at 10 a.m. in GSW’s Convocation Hall in the Student Success Center. The public is invited to attend this historic occasion.

• Top 10 Business Cities In US Revealed as Study Shows US Spends $119B on Business Travel Each Year

  March 13, 2025

  In 2023, meeting and event-related travel spending totaled over $119 billion in the United States alone¹. With this in mind, and ahead of Global Meetings Industry Day on April 3rd, business travel experts at Booking.com for Business have revealed the best places for business-related travel in the US.

• Meet J.C.: A Story of Strength and Opportunity

  March 11, 2025

  J.C., a senior at Kennesaw State University studying Information Systems, knows firsthand the challenges of aging out of foster care. Entering the system at 14, he faced disappointment and uncertainty, including being told he would never find a family. But despite the hardships, J.C. never stopped striving for a better future.