May 2019 Features

• Small Businesses Gain Big Wins from Community Involvement

  May 31, 2019

  Strapped and under-resourced small businesses might have the very most to gain from community involvement. Authentic outreach can be a powerful way to expand the company’s relationship network, raise business awareness and build loyalty among customers and employees. goBeyondProfit’s Corporate Generosity Research Report cites that 71 percent of Georgia’s employed adults prefer to buy products from companies who are generous to the community.

• 2021 MLB All-Star Game Awarded to Atlanta & SunTrust Park

  May 31, 2019

  Major League Baseball announced Atlanta as host to the 2021 MLB All-Star Game. The annual matchup between the American League and National League’s top athletes will be played at SunTrust Park. This marks the third time Atlanta welcomes the Midsummer Classic, the first since 2000.

• Invesco to Expand Atlanta Global HQ with 500 Jobs and $70M Investment

  May 31, 2019

  Governor Brian Kemp announced that Invesco, one of the world’s leading investment managers, plans to significantly expand its global headquarters in Atlanta, adding 500 jobs and investing $70 million as part of a major expansion of its business.

• Georgia Public Policy Foundation Releases Study on Healthcare Waivers for Georgia

  May 30, 2019

  The Georgia Public Policy Foundation has long advocated for market-oriented solutions to Georgia’s healthcare challenges. As one way of accomplishing this goal, the Foundation supports the use of a Section 1332 State Innovation Waiver under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Georgia General Assembly has authorized Gov. Brian Kemp to use this tool to pursue more flexibility in how Georgia administers certain aspects of the ACA.

• Reynolds Lake Oconee to Host Second Annual Reynolds Cup, October 1st-3rd

  May 30, 2019

  The second annual Reynolds Cup presented by National Car Rental, a golf tournament for leaders in business who thrive on the competition and camaraderie that are the spirit of the game, is set for Oct. 1-3 at Reynolds Lake Oconee, the award-winning golf community and destination resort between Atlanta and Augusta.

• Museum of Aviation Foundation Selects Perry Chamber CEO as New Executive

  May 29, 2019

  The Museum of Aviation Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the selection of Darlene McLendon as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation. This comes after current President, Chrissy Miner, notified the board of her intended departure in July.

• Proposed Legislation Designed to Help Americans Prepare for Retirement

  May 29, 2019

  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) joined Democrat Chris Murphy of Connecticut Tuesday and re-introduced bipartisan legislation that he says will help Americans ensure they do not outlive their retirement savings.

• Global Payments and TSYS Combine to Form Leading Pure Play Payments Technology Company

  May 28, 2019

  Global Payments, a leading worldwide provider of payment technology and software solutions, and TSYS, a leading global payments provider offering innovative solutions across the issuing, merchant and consumer segments, announced today that they have entered into a definitive agreement to combine in an all-stock merger of equals.

• America's Swimming Pool Company Launches Clean Water Matters Movement

  May 24, 2019

  ASP – America’s Swimming Pool Company, the nation’s largest pool cleaning, repair, and renovation franchise, has teamed up with OneWorld Health to provide a clean water source to hospitals in East Africa and Central America.

• Senators Isakson, Perdue Secure Long-Awaited Disaster Aid Funding for Georgia

  May 24, 2019

  U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., praised Senate approval of critical disaster relief funding for Georgia and other states impacted by hurricanes, wildfires, floods and other natural disasters. Isakson and Perdue have fought for months to secure disaster funding for Georgia, which was devastated by Hurricane Michael in October 2018.

• Cultural Planning Process in Macon-Bibb County to Open Access and Engagement in the Arts with $100,000 from Knight Foundation

  May 23, 2019

  Recognizing the potential of arts and culture to drive community connection and economic growth, a community-wide Cultural Planning Process has been launched in Macon-Bibb County with the aim of increasing arts access and engagement across the area.

• Beer Industry Contributes $8.1B Annually to Georgia's Economy

  May 23, 2019

  Just ahead of Memorial Day, which marks one of the top beer selling holidays of the year and the start of the summer beer selling season, a new economic impact study shows America's beer industry contributes $8.1 billion annually to Georgia's economy and supports 54,084 jobs in the state.

• U.S. Small Business Administration Roadshow to Stop at Georgia VECTR Center May 23rd

  May 21, 2019

  The Georgia District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is hitting the road to inform Georgia businesses of resources available to assist them, making a stop with its Roadshow at the Georgia Veterans Education Career Transition Resource (VECTR) Center on Thursday, May 23rd.

• Sen. Isakson Talks Middle East, Trade, National Security, Disaster Aid, Veterans

  May 21, 2019

  U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., outlined top pressing national and state priorities in an episode of the “Inside the Box” podcast on Thursday. During the interview, Isakson shared his views on his recent trip to Iraq, the increased tensions with Iran, his leadership on the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, U.S. trade relationships, national security and his work to secure federal disaster aid for Georgia.

• Mercer University School of Medicine to Expand to Full Four-Year Campus in Columbus

  May 20, 2019

  Mercer University School of Medicine (MUSM) formally announced expansion of the School’s two-year Columbus campus to a full four-year campus Friday at the at the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

• Fort Valley State University and Georgia Power Announce Solar Initiative

  May 20, 2019

  Fort Valley State University (FVSU) announced that Georgia Power will develop and construct an 11 megawatts (MWac), fixed-tilt solar generation facility located on the FVSU campus. It will serve as a living laboratory for FVSU professors and students who will help to build Georgia’s energy future.

• AG Chris Carr: Georgia Legal Food Frenzy Generates 1.7 Million Meals for Children in Need

  May 20, 2019

  Attorney General Chris Carr announced that law firms and legal organizations across Georgia raised a record breaking 419,321 dollars and 17,617 pounds of food during the 8th Annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy. This is the equivalent of 1.7 million meals for Georgia’s food banks and a 9.5 percent increase from last year.

• Mercer Alum Dr. Tripp Morgan Keeps Busy with Work in Health Care and Hops

  May 16, 2019

  Dr. Tripp Morgan already had plenty to do. The 2001 Mercer School of Medicine graduate is a vascular surgeon in Albany and a father of four. He owns the Albany Vascular Specialist Center and a property management business and is a business partner for a medical spa.

• Isakson, Perdue Help Secure $35M in Disaster Relief

  May 16, 2019

  Last week we wrote about the work U.S. Sens. Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and David Perdue (R-GA) are doing to secure much needed disaster relief funds for Georgia farmers impacted by Hurricane Michael.

• Gulfstream Reinforces Reliability And Capabilities With World Speed Record

  May 16, 2019

  Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. announced the high-performing Gulfstream G550 recently established a new city-pair speed record, connecting Shanghai with Seattle in 10 hours and 29 minutes, bringing the number of records the jet has earned to 55.

• Eighth Annual Dancing Stars of Central Georgia 
Raises over $188,000 for The Alzheimer’s Association

  May 15, 2019

  On Saturday, May 4, philanthropic Central Georgia residents raised over $188,000 for Dancing Stars of Central Georgia. The event took place at the Macon City Auditorium and mirrored the popular TV show, pairing local Central Georgia residents with professional dancers to raise money by gaining votes in a one-night gala dance competition.

• ACG Atlanta Announces 40 Fastest-Growing Companies In Georgia

  May 14, 2019

  The Atlanta Chapter of the Association for Corporate Growth, announced the 2019 Georgia Fast 40, recognizing the top 40 fastest-growing middle-market companies in Georgia.

• Clark & Smith Law Firm Announces New Firm Partner and Firm Name Change

  May 13, 2019

  Attorneys Chris Clark and Michael Smith are pleased to announce the addition of Richard “Rick” Sizemore as a partner and an official firm name change to Clark, Smith & Sizemore LLC, effective immediately.

• Governor Kemp Signs Fiscal Year 2020 Budget

  May 13, 2019

  Governor Brian P. Kemp signed the fiscal year 2020 budget. Joined by lawmakers, law enforcement officials, educators, and local leaders in Camilla, Georgia, Governor Kemp's signature of the balanced budget caps a historic first legislative session.

• General Assembly launches Georgia-Japan Legislative Caucus

  May 09, 2019

  James Magazine’s May-June issue includes a feature which highlights Georgia’s important economic relationship with Japan, and how the state has benefited significantly from the relationship with various industries, including the automotive and manufacturing sectors.