May 2024 Features

• ATDC Companies Raise $280.2 Million In Investments In 2023

  May 31, 2024

  Startups in the Advanced Technology Development Center current portfolio raised more than $280.2 million in investment capital and created or saved more 2,021 jobs in 2023.

• US Consumer Confidence Rose in May

  May 31, 2024

  "Confidence improved in May after three consecutive months of decline," said Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board. "Consumers' assessment of current business conditions was slightly less positive than last month.

• Macon Film Festival Unveils 2024 Important Dates

  May 30, 2024

  The Macon Film Festival is proud to announce that its 19th annual filmmaker-focused, family-friendly festival will be held from Aug. 15-18, featuring daily film screenings, celebrity guests, filmmaker workshops, fulldome immersive content and special screenings, all set against the charming backdrop of historic downtown Macon.

• Governor Marks Completion of Plant Vogtle Expansion

  May 30, 2024

  Gov. Brian Kemp celebrated the completion of the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion Wednesday while acknowledging the obstacles that had to be overcome in building the first nuclear reactors in the U.S. since the 1980s.

• GMSDC & The Greater Macon Chamber Enter into Partnership to Build Capacity on Diversity & Procurement

  May 28, 2024

  The Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council has partnered with the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce to share small business development resources, capacity building support and diversity procurement best practices, for the benefit of their mutual constituents.

• Georgia Agricultural Innovation Center to Bring Farmers From Fresh to Value-Added Markets

  May 28, 2024

  Georgia has a rich agricultural history in fresh produce owing to factors including a favorable climate and long growing season. In rural areas where farms are primarily located, many entrepreneurs have limited access to appropriate business development resources and opportunities to break into value-added markets.

• First Quality in Macon to Create 600 New Jobs

  May 23, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp today announced that First Quality Baby Products, LLC will invest $418 million to expand its footprint in Macon-Bibb County, creating 600 new jobs.

• Georgia Historical Society’s Georgia History Festival Raises Nearly $2.1M for Statewide Education and Research Services

  May 22, 2024

  The Georgia Historical Society announced that the 2023-2024 Georgia History Festival, which culminated on April 27, 2024, with the Trustees Gala, raised a record $2,095,653 to further the institution’s educational and research mission.

• Hartsfield-Jackson, Airbus, Delta and Plug Power Study Feasibility of Hydrogen Fuel at World’s Busiest Airport

  May 22, 2024

  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Airbus, Delta Air Lines and Plug Power have joined forces to assess the feasibility of hydrogen fueling at the world’s busiest airport in support of advancing a more sustainable future for travel.

• Visit Macon Celebrates National Travel & Tourism Week

  May 20, 2024

  Visit Macon is hosting a week worth of local events to celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week during May 20-25. Visitors and the local community can partake in a variety of events throughout the week that showcase all Macon has to offer.

• Georgia Chamber Launches New Website Launched to Empower Georgia's Business & Elected Leaders

  May 20, 2024

  Today, we are excited to announce the launch of the Georgia Chamber's new website, designed to provide invaluable data and insights for both business and elected leaders across the state.

• Georgia Scores Top Spot in Competitive Economic Rankings

  May 17, 2024

  Governor Brian P. Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, today announced that the state earned the No. 1 spot in Site Selection’s annual Prosperity Cup rankings for successful investment recruitment in 2023.

• Georgia Employment Hits All-Time High Amid April Job Surge

  May 17, 2024

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's April unemployment rate was 3.1, unchanged for the fourth consecutive month. The unemployment rate was eight-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center Redesignated as a Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center

  May 16, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Public Health’s Office of Cardiac Care has redesignated Atrium Health Navicent The Medical Center as a Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to excellence in emergency cardiac care. The hospital has held the designation since 2020.

• AAA: 1.3 Million Georgians will Take to the Roads & Sky for the Unofficial Start of Summer

  May 16, 2024

  AAA forecasts there will be a significant number of Georgians planning to travel for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. According to AAA, 1.3 million Georgians will journey 50 miles or more, which is 52,824 more holiday travelers than the previous year.

• VP of AT&T Southeast States: Screen Time for Kids, Peace of Mind for Parents

  May 15, 2024

  Now that childhood has gone high-tech, some parents feel guilty about all that screen time. If you are a parent nodding your head in agreement, you are not alone.

• NewTown Macon Earns 2024 Great American Main Street Award for Excellence in Downtown Revitalization

  May 13, 2024

  Main Street America announced that NewTown Macon in Macon, Georgia, has received the prestigious Great American Main Street Award, which recognizes communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization.

• Mercer University to Confer Degrees to More Than 2,200 Graduates at Five Commencements in May

  May 10, 2024

  Mercer will confer bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees to more than 2,200 students participating in five commencements during May in Macon and Atlanta. The total number of students meeting the requirements for graduation exceeds 2,600.

• Georgia Cities Week Takes Cities to New Heights

  May 10, 2024

  Georgia Cities Week has once again soared across the state, propelled by our communities' collective spirit and pride. The theme, “Soaring to New Heights,” perfectly encapsulates the ambitious endeavors and collective aspirations that marked this annual celebration's 25th anniversary.

• Goodwill Week Celebrates the Power of Work

  May 09, 2024

  Every year during the first full week of May, Goodwill organizations across the U.S. and Canada celebrate Goodwill Week, which runs from May 5-11. The observance serves to raise awareness of the Goodwill mission to transform lives through learning and the power of work.

• Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown Staff, & Georgia Agribusiness Leaders Explore Emerging Indian Market on US-India Trade Mission

  May 08, 2024

  Last month, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown staff, and several Georgia agribusinesses visited New Delhi, India, on an agribusiness trade mission sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

• Georgia Celebrates Five ‘Small Business ROCK STARS’

  May 07, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development today announced its five 2024 Small Business ROCK STARS as part of the state’s celebration of Georgia Small Business Week 2024, recognized Monday, May 6, through Friday, May 10.

• HMF Awards Salute Macon's 2024 Preservation Leaders

  May 06, 2024

  Historic Macon recognized significant achievements in preservation Thursday night with its 2024 Preservation Awards.

• SBA Georgia Announces 2024 National Small Business Week Winners

  May 06, 2024

  The U.S. Small Business Administration Georgia District Office announced the National Small Business Week 2024 Award Winners, including Small Business Person of the Year, Exporter of the Year, and other small business owners throughout Georgia.

• YKK USA Celebrates 50 Years of Innovation and Excellence at Macon Factory

  May 03, 2024

  YKK (U.S.A.) Inc. announces the 50th anniversary of its Macon Factory, a milestone marking half a century of commitment to quality, innovation, sustainability, and community in the heart of Georgia.