July 2022 Features

• Film & Entertainment Event Draws Producers, Directors to Showcase Columbus

  July 29, 2022

  On July 20th, Columbus showcased their economic, workforce and political structure to producers, directors and entertainment executives at the Chattahoochee River Club. Local and state officials joined local businesses to welcome gaming, music and entertainment leaders to the city.

• Georgia Lottery Reaches Milestone $25B Generated for Education in Georgia

  July 29, 2022

  Governor Brian P. Kemp is excited to announce the Georgia Lottery Corp. has raised $25 billion for education in the State of Georgia since its inception in 1993. These funds have allowed thousands of Georgians to receive essential early learning and provided the opportunity for higher education through the HOPE Scholarship.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interviews: Integrating Purpose into Every Day Business

  July 29, 2022

  Why would any company revisit a purpose statement in the middle of a tumultuous time? That’s exactly what UPS executives decided to do when they refreshed a decades’ old purpose statement and operationalized it globally to come out stronger than ever. At a goBeyondProfit CEO Forum we learned from UPS’ Kevin Warren the how, why and day-to-day benefits any company could realize from a purpose refresh.

• Port of Savannah Stays on Pace at Nearly 5.8M TEUs in FY2022

  July 27, 2022

  Fiscal Year 2022 was another record-breaker for the Georgia Ports Authority, with container volumes growing 8 percent for a total of 5.76 million twenty-foot equivalent container units.

• Congressman Bishop Announces Federal Grant for Columbus Tech

  July 22, 2022

  Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) this week announced that students at Columbus Technical College will benefit from grant funding totaling over $1.2M through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

• Georgia Power's Transformational Plan for State's Energy Future Approved

  July 22, 2022

  The Georgia Public Service Commission approved Georgia Power's 2022 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which sets forth a proactive, innovative and transformational roadmap for how Georgia Power will continue to meet the energy needs of customers, local communities and the State of Georgia for future generations.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interview: Scaling Compassion in a Franchise Model

  July 22, 2022

  At a goBeyondProfit CEO Forum Inspire CEO, Paul Brown, spoke candidly about the balance of leading a massive franchise organize with central clarity, while remaining caring and nimble in the face of marketplace uncertainty.

• Georgia’s Unemployment Rate Dips Below 3% & Job Numbers Reach a New High

  July 21, 2022

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced today that Georgia’s June unemployment rate hit an all-time low of 2.9 percent while Georgia's number of jobs continued to climb to an all-time high of 4,801,800.

• Georgia Emerges as Hub for Sustainability

  July 20, 2022

  Companies looking to lower emissions and reduce carbon footprint for themselves and their customers have invested over $11.5 billion in Georgia since 2018. The state’s competitive advantages, combined with its responsiveness to rapidly evolving business needs, have attracted a range of manufacturers, recyclers, and innovators who are leading the way to a greener, cleaner, more sustainable future.

• Boards are Electing Independent Board Chairs, Experimenting with Committee Structures, & Holding More Meetings

  July 20, 2022

  A new report from The Conference Board reveals that boards are increasingly electing independent board chairs. These changes are not being driven by an overriding wave of shareholder sentiment, but rather by internal governance and business reasons, including an increase in the level and scope of responsibilities of US corporate boards.

• Georgia Rural Economic Development Strategy Yields Major Success

  July 19, 2022

  Governor Brian P. Kemp's rural economic development strategy is yielding major results for hardworking Georgians in communities all across the Peach State.

• Leading Organizations Join to Show Support for the Entertainment Industry in Columbus

  July 15, 2022

  Is Columbus a viable place to film? Is the economic, workforce and political structure in the region strong enough to support a gaming or esports venture? Are there suppliers in Columbus that can handle the needs and complexities of music, film and gaming companies? Yes.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interview: Reimagining Talent that May Already Lie Within Your Organization

  July 15, 2022

  In order to help business leaders navigate this tight labor market, goBeyondProfit sat down with Valarie Mackey, the CEO of WrightNow Solutions to explore a generosity-mindset or a reimagination if you will, that might help executives discover the talent they need in unexpected places.

• Small Business Hiring & Wage Growth Strength Continues; Growth Rates Moderate Slightly

  July 15, 2022

  Small businesses continued to add jobs in June and worker wages continued to grow at a strong rate, but the pace of growth moderated slightly from previous month. These insights are according to the latest Paychex | IHS Markit Small Business Employment Watch.

• Leadership Columbus Is Now Accepting Applications

  July 14, 2022

  Leadership Columbus is an official program of the Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce. The program's goal is to provide involved and committed community leaders. Leadership Columbus has been building leaders in this community for over 30 years. Participants will be given the chance to develop an understanding of the challenges that face the Columbus region.

• Solid Job Growth Continues Amid a Slowing Economy

  July 13, 2022

  The labor market continues to be strong, with 372,000 jobs added in June 2022, after a downwardly revised increase of 384,000 jobs in May. Despite gathering economic headwinds, there is still no clear indication that the labor market is cooling.

• Unified Georgia Presence Stands Out at IPW 2022

  July 12, 2022

  Earlier this month, Explore Georgia, the tourism division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and three state tourism partners co-exhibited at the U.S. Travel Association’s IPW 2022 in Orlando.

• High-Tech Industry Flourishes in Georgia’s High-Talent Environment

  July 11, 2022

  The “Tech Capital of the South,” Georgia taps its diverse resources and strategic investments to bolster the wide-ranging tech industry statewide. Companies at home and abroad have taken notice of the state’s support for companies and startups through its embrace of talent development and an innovative partnership approach to doing business.

• Columbus Creates City-wide Cleanup Group in Effort to Combat Litter, Illegal Dumping Issues

  July 08, 2022

  While riding around Columbus, you may have noticed that some areas are becoming an eyesore because trash is piling up. The city of Columbus is asking citizens for their help.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interview: Specific Generosity-based Approaches for the “Great Resignation”

  July 08, 2022

  In order to help business leaders navigate this tight labor market, goBeyondProfit sat down with Valarie Mackey, the CEO of WrightNow Solutions to explore a generosity-mindset or a reimagination if you will, that might help executives discover the talent they need in unexpected places.

• 300-Person Belgian Trade Visit Strengthens Collaboration, Highlights Business Opportunities in Georgia

  July 07, 2022

  Georgia leaders recognize that personal relationships are key to developing strong global partnerships. In-person connections like those made during international trade visits are invaluable for creating strong ties that lead to further collaboration and investment in the state.

• Annual Aflac & Atlanta Braves Night Supports Pediatric Cancer Patients & Their Families

  July 07, 2022

  Aflac's annual Atlanta Braves night is a tradition where Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center patients, families and staff come together for a welcome break and to cheer on the World Series Champions.

• Rural Development Institute Focused on Enhancing Rural Prosperity in Georgia

  July 06, 2022

  Valdosta State University’s Center for South Georgia Regional Impact recently kicked off its inaugural Rural Development Institute with a three-day Summit designed to help communities across Georgia develop an action plan for rural prosperity.

• Georgia’s Extensive Logistics Network Speeds Goods to Market

  July 06, 2022

  In today’s fast-paced business environment, company success depends on delivering goods quickly, efficiently, and affordably. In Georgia, an unparalleled infrastructure seamlessly connecting air, ports, rail and roads is the catalyst for advanced manufacturers and others competing in the global marketplace.

• Less than Half of CEOs Are Back to the Office Full-Time; CEO Economic Outlook Plummets

  July 06, 2022

  Less than half of mid-market CEOs have returned to the office full-time and about a quarter plan to work a hybrid schedule indefinitely, according to the latest CEO survey from Marcum LLP and Hofstra University's Frank G. Zarb School of Business.