August 2025 Features

• Georgia Ports Economic Impact Jumps 7% in 2024

  August 27, 2025

  Port activity in Georgia now supports 650,965 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 has grown by 41,770 jobs or 7 percent compared to fiscal year 2023, the period covered by the previous study.

• Health Connect South 2025: Atlanta’s Premier Health Collaboration Event Returns with Stellar Speaker Line-Up

  August 27, 2025

  Health Connect South, the Southeast’s leading healthcare collaboration gathering, is returning on September 17 at the Georgia Aquarium to unite innovators, policy leaders, health executives, researchers, and entrepreneurs under the theme of forging meaningful regional partnerships.

• USG Foundation Raises $4.5M, Honors Don Waters & Launches the DREAMS Scholarship for Georgia

  August 26, 2025

  The University System of Georgia Foundation announced a major step forward in student support during its 21st annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala, which raised more than $4.5 million this past weekend from generous sponsors to expand need-based scholarships for USG students across the state.

• Sen. Ossoff, Reps. Bishop, Carter, Collins, and Scott Headline the 2025 Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon

  August 26, 2025

  On August 20, 2025, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 Congressional Luncheon, the premier event convening Georgia’s federal elected officials and the statewide business community.

• United Way of Southwest Georgia Announces Orson Burton as President & CEO

  August 25, 2025

  United Way of Southwest Georgia is pleased to announce the appointment of Orson D. Burton Jr. as its next President and Chief Executive Officer. Burton brings more than 15 years of nonprofit and public service leadership to the organization and will officially assume his new role today.

• Georgia Aerospace Firms Launch Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance

  August 25, 2025

  Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, FlightSafety International, and RTX today announced the formation of the Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance, a new, statewide organization dedicated to advancing Georgia’s aerospace and defense industries through strategic collaboration and advocacy.

• Albany Area Chamber Hosts 2025 State of the Community Focused on Public Safety

  August 22, 2025

  The Albany Area Chamber of Commerce convened business and community leaders on Tuesday,for its 2025 State of the Community event, presented by AT&T, at Albany State University’s West Campus.

• Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules Wins Coolest Thing Made in Georgia Competition

  August 22, 2025

  Wednesday, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced that the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules is the inaugural winner of the Coolest Thing Made in Georgia. The announcement was made during the Georgia Chamber’s 2025 Congressional Luncheon.

• Beyond Philanthropy: Generosity Redefined by Today's Workforce

  August 22, 2025

  The 2025 Business Generosity Report, released by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO, confirms that the definition of business generosity has fundamentally changed, and executives appear to be doubling down on strategies based on an outdated definition.

• Bert Brantley: Building Georgia’s Workforce Through the Fostering Success Act

  August 21, 2025

  Bert Brantley, President and CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, is encouraging Georgia’s business leaders to take advantage of the Fostering Success Act Tax Credit as a powerful, no-cost way to invest in the state’s future workforce.

• Albany State University Generates $282M Economic Impact in FY 2024

  August 20, 2025

  Albany State University contributed $282,164,316 to the Georgia economy in Fiscal Year 2024, supporting 2,666 jobs across the region, according to a new University System of Georgia report. This represents a 6% increase over ASU’s 2023 economic impact.

• Georgia Film Academy Celebrates Grand Opening of State-of-the-Art Facility at Assembly Studios

  August 20, 2025

  The Georgia Film Academy celebrated the grand opening of its new state-of-the-art instructional facility at Assembly Studios yesterday. The grand opening marked a significant milestone in Georgia’s film industry, showcasing the state’s commitment to workforce development and innovation.

• USG Graduates Stand to Earn $1.4 Million Thanks to their Degrees

  August 19, 2025

  The University System of Georgia powered $23.1 billion into the state’s economy in FY 2024 – a 5.4% jump from last year – while recent graduates stand to earn $1.4 million more over their lifetimes thanks to their degrees, two new studies show.

• U.S. Postal Service Reveals New Forever Stamp Design Honoring Former President Jimmy Carter

  August 18, 2025

  The U.S. Postal Service announced it will issue a commemorative Forever stamp honoring former President Jimmy Carter, who died last December, at the age of 100. The Postal Service plans to release the stamp for purchase on Oct. 1 in Atlanta, on what would have been former President Carter's 101st birthday.

• Georgia Business Leaders Invest in Generosity at Record Levels but Miss the Mark on What Drives Real Returns

  August 15, 2025

  Overall, the 2025 Business Generosity Report by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO reveals that both executives and their employees agree that business generosity drives business success.

• Georgia-based Lockheed Martin C-130 Production Helps Peach State Take Off

  August 14, 2025

  In an era where interests and trends shift, one business and product in Georgia defies the odds. Lockheed Martin’s C-130 production line in Marietta, home to the iconic C-130J Super Hercules, is the longest running military aircraft production line in the world. A model of manufacturing endurance and consistency.

• University System of Georgia’s Economic Impact Increases to $23.1 Billion

  August 13, 2025

  The University System of Georgia powered $23.1 billion into the state’s economy in FY 2024 – a 5.4% jump from last year – while recent graduates stand to earn $1.4 million more over their lifetimes thanks to their degrees, two new studies show.

• Ready, Set, Smile Georgia Cities: City Hall Selfie Day is Today!

  August 12, 2025

  City Hall Selfie Day turns 10 this year! Today - Tuesday, August 12th, cities across Georgia and the nation will once again join in a fun, light-hearted tradition that puts public service—and the people behind it—front and center.

• 8/11 Reminds Georgia Residents to Contact 811 Before Digging to Protect Yourself and Your Community

  August 11, 2025

  Georgia 811 is using the 8-1-1 calendar date as a timely reminder to residents: Always contact 811 before starting any digging project to have underground utilities marked.

• Georgia Milestones: Students Improve in Math and Other Subjects but Struggle in English

  August 11, 2025

  Georgia students posted modest academic gains in most of the tested grades and subjects last school year except in one key area.

• Dr. John Culbreath Remembered for Service & Kindness

  August 08, 2025

  Dr. John W. Culbreath, who made history as the first African American superintendent of the Dougherty County School System and served from 1995 to 2001, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 5th. During and after his superintendency, Dr. Culbreath extended his service across the region—serving on civic boards including the Phoebe Putney Health System, working with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity to mentor middle school boys, and contributing to poverty-alleviation efforts like Strive2Thrive.

• Georgia Chamber Publishes Seventh Report on the Impact of Tariffs on Georgia’s Economy

  August 08, 2025

  Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the publication of its seventh tariff report, Strategic Trade Shifts & Georgia’s Outlook. The report was released following the Trump Administration’s August 1st deadline for countries to reach trade deals with the United States.

• Georgia Means Business: National Recognition, Global Opportunity

  August 07, 2025

  Highlighted by Fortune for its unmatched business climate, Georgia continues to lead the way in attracting investment, building infrastructure, and supporting innovation across every sector. Decades of strategic planning and collaboration have made the agriculture-rich Peach State a magnet for industries of the future looking to grow and a place where communities thrive alongside them.

• goBeyondProfit Report Reveals Growing Workplace Skepticism: A Guide to Building Loyalty That Withstands Turbulent Times

  August 06, 2025

  The 2025 Business Generosity Report by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO reveals a critical misalignment that directly impacts productivity and consistently influences employee decisions to stay or leave. While employees may not be leaving now, our report reveals key employees are quietly looking for companies that offer what they value.

• TCSG & WorkSource GA to Invest in Displaced Workers of Georgia-Pacific Closure

  August 06, 2025

  When Georgia-Pacific, LLC announced in May that it would be closing its containerboard manufacturing mill in Cedar Springs, the news was a major blow for more than 500 employees. Now, thanks to a newly awarded $1.8 million federal grant, WorkSource Georgia and its partners will have more resources to help affected Georgia workers find new jobs and opportunities.