Features

• Georgia Creates Nearly 46k Job Opportunities Over Past Year, Unemployment at 3.7%

  December 20, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Georgia's November unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, up one tenth from a revised 3.6 percent in October. The unemployment rate was five-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Lawmakers Gather for 2024 Biennial Institute at UGA

  December 20, 2024

  Members of the Georgia General Assembly convened at the University of Georgia Dec. 8­-10 for the Biennial Institute for Georgia Legislators. Coordinated by UGA’s Carl Vinson Institute of Government to help lawmakers prepare for the next legislative cycle, this year marked the 34th Biennial Institute.

• Georgia EPD Makes Historic Updates to Water Withdrawal Permit Suspension

  December 19, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp announced that the Georgia Environmental Protection Division has modified the 2012 suspension of agricultural water withdrawal permits in portions of the Lower Flint and Chattahoochee River Basins, allowing for the issuance of the first new agricultural water withdrawal permits in this area in over a decade.

• Governor Announces Unified High Demand Career List to Strengthen Georgia Workforce Development

  December 18, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp announced the State Workforce Development Board has officially approved Georgia's High Demand Career List, a tool designed to align education, training, and workforce development efforts with the needs of employers across the state.

• 2025 Georgia Travel Guide Inspires Endless Exploration Across the Peach State

  December 17, 2024

  The 2025 Georgia Travel Guide is now available, offering 130 pages of inspiration for travelers of all interests. From cover to cover, the guide is a gateway to endless exploration across the Peach State, featuring a detailed state map, local tips, and insights into everything from iconic landmarks to hidden gems. It is the ultimate invitation to start planning a visit to the State of Georgia for 2025.

• Georgia’s Manufacturing Industry Offers Advanced, High-Growth Opportunities Across the State

  December 16, 2024

  Georgia’s manufacturing industry is redefining career opportunities across the state. Careers in manufacturing offer clean, safe, advanced-skills development and high-growth opportunities, with increasing talent needs.

• Georgia Creative Champion of the Year Awarded to Chris Escobar

  December 13, 2024

  Chris Escobar has been awarded Georgia's Creative Champion of 2024/2025. The honor was bestowed last night at Georgia Entertainment's Signature 100 held on Stage 5 of Assembly Studios. Over 600 producers, directors, and entertainment executives in Georgia and beyond were in attendance.

• SBA Administrator Guzman Hosts Inaugural Artificial Intelligence Small Business Summit at Georgia Tech

  December 12, 2024

  On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration and the voice in President Biden’s Cabinet for America’s more than 34 million small businesses, traveled to Atlanta to host the inaugural SBA AI Small Business Summit and officially launch SBA’s AI for Small Businesses Resource Hub.

• CEO Optimism Surges Post-Election, According to Recent Fortune/Deloitte CEO Survey

  December 12, 2024

  The Fall 2024 Fortune/Deloitte CEO survey reveals a sharp rise in optimism among CEOs, with confidence in the global economy increasing significantly as compared to the summer survey. This heightened optimism is likely influenced by a combination of potentially favorable tax environment, deregulation and support for M&A activity.

• 16th Annual GRACE Awards Winners Announced

  December 11, 2024

  The 2024 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence Awards winners were announced Monday, Dec. 9 at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta. The GRACE Awards Gala is the Georgia Restaurant Association’s (GRA) annual black-tie event honoring Georgia’s restaurant industry.

• Meet Mely: A Story of Resilience and Hope

  December 10, 2024

  Mely, a sophomore at Georgia Gwinnett College majoring in psychology, is a true example of resilience and transformation. Entering foster care at 11, she faced the challenges of living in multiple group homes and foster placements, all while grappling with the uncertainty of life without a permanent family.

• Georgia DOT Awards 23 Construction Contracts for Statewide Transportation Projects

  December 10, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded 23 projects across the state in October, encompassing bridge rehabilitation, resurfacing, construction, safety improvements, and new bridge construction.

• Georgia’s Economy will Grow in 2025, but More Slowly

  December 09, 2024

  Georgia’s economy is projected to grow by 2.4% in 2025, a slowdown from the 3.1% the state saw in 2024. However, the state’s GDP is projected to grow faster than the nation’s, which forecasters project to grow by 1.6% in 2025.

• Atlanta to Host Six Matches of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Next Summer

  December 09, 2024

  FIFA unveiled the official match schedule for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 on Saturday morning following the tournament's draw on December 5th in Miami. Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium will host six matches for this historic edition of the tournament, including a quarterfinal.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interviews: Bernie Marcus, Co-Founder of The Home Depot

  December 06, 2024

  In part 2 of our interview with Bernie Marcus, Co-Founder of The Home Depot, shared how leaders of businesses of all sizes can benefit from generosity – not only personally, but also as a company.

• Governor, First Lady Announce Recipients of Arts and Humanities Awards

  December 06, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp announced the recipients of the 13th annual Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Georgia in these fields. The awards are presented in partnership with Georgia Council for the Arts and Georgia Humanities.

• Wild Hogs Supper 2025 Feast for a Cause: Celebrating Georgia’s Agriculture Industry and Fighting Hunger Together!

  December 05, 2024

  The Wild Hog Supper, a cherished tradition that has kicked off the Georgia General Assembly’s legislative session for more than 60 years, returns on January 12th.

• Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta CEO: Heading into 2025 with Positive Economic Outlook, Mindful of Risks

  December 04, 2024

  At its November meeting, the Federal Open Market Committee reduced the target for its benchmark interest rate, the federal funds rate, by a quarter percentage point—to a range of 4-1/2 to 4-3/4 percent. That came after we lowered the policy rate by a half percentage point in September, so it has come down three-quarters of a percentage point, or 75 basis points, from its high.

• Fueling Good: Gas South’s Legacy of Generosity Continues

  December 03, 2024

  goBeyondProfit, a first-of-its-kind business leader initiative that inspires business generosity, celebrates Gas South and its CEO, Kevin Greiner, for their unwavering commitment to generosity.

• 2024 GAgives on GivingTuesday Showcases Nonprofits as the Unifiers of Communities

  December 03, 2024

  With the season of giving upon us, it’s time to show our appreciation for those who have supported our communities throughout the year with unwavering commitment and a staggering level of accomplishment.

• Georgia Chamber Announces Rural Award Winners

  December 02, 2024

  In recognition of the community’s commitment to quality growth and economic development, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce named Metter-Candler County as the inaugural Rural Community of the Year Award winner.

• A Tribute to the Life and Leadership of Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson

  November 25, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Labor mourns the passing of Commissioner Bruce Thompson, a visionary leader, devoted mentor, and dedicated public servant. While his entrepreneurial spirit and unwavering commitment to excellence will be deeply missed, Commissioner Thompson’s greatest legacy lies in his ability to foster a culture of family and belonging for those who worked alongside him.

• 2.3M Georgians Expected to Travel for Thanksgiving

  November 22, 2024

  AAA expects record-setting travel numbers for Thanksgiving. Over 2.3 million Georgians are forecast to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday. That’s an all-time high for Thanksgiving and nearly 40,000 more travelers than last year.

• goBeyondProfit Honors Bernie Marcus’ Legacy of Generosity

  November 22, 2024

  As a Founding Ambassador for goBeyondProfit, Bernie Marcus issued both a challenge to fellow business leaders and offered a road map for leading with generosity across a lifetime.

• Economic Development Expert Tapped to Lead Georgia Transportation Alliance

  November 21, 2024

  The Georgia Transportation Alliance, an affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, selected Georgia economic development veteran Joseph Santoro to serve as the new Executive Director of the Georgia Transportation Alliance.

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