August 2022 Features

• 14th Annual GRACE Awards Finalists and Honorees Announced

  August 31, 2022

  Following a two-year postponement due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Georgia Restaurant Association (GRA) is thrilled to announce the finalists and honorees for the 2022 Georgia Restaurant Association Crystal of Excellence (GRACE) Awards.

• Consumer Confidence Improved in August

  August 31, 2022

  The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index increased in August, following three consecutive monthly declines.

• Alliance Residential Company Acquires 25 Acres for Prose Columbus

  August 30, 2022

  Alliance Residential Company, one of the largest multifamily developers in the nation, has closed on 25.05 acres at 6700 River Road in Columbus, Georgia, for the development of Prose Columbus. Located in Georgia’s second largest city and fourth largest Metropolitan Statistical Area, the new 340-unit apartment community will welcome its first residents in fall 2023.

• Kia Among Most Innovative Mass Market Brands in New Study

  August 30, 2022

  Kia has ranked second among mass market brands in the J.D. Power 2022 Tech Experience Index (TXI) Study. The new study rates advanced technologies in new vehicles with an innovation score and Kia continued its strong momentum.

• As Inflation and Uncertainty Abound, Georgia Parents’ Back-to-School Spending Surges

  August 29, 2022

  As students in Georgia head back to school, Deloitte issues its 2022 back-to-school survey results. Despite economic concerns, parents in the Peach State planned to spend an estimated $873 per child on back-to-school shopping, 32% higher than the national average of $661 per child.

• U.S. Chamber Kicks Off National Roadshow “Advance with Africa” to Deepen U.S.-Africa Business Engagement

  August 29, 2022

  On September 6th, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, will kick off its “Advance with Africa” roadshow in Atlanta at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, a hub for Black business owners and entrepreneurs.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interview: Heath Fountain of Colony Bank

  August 26, 2022

  Colony Bank is a $2.70 billion dollar financial services company with 41 locations throughout Georgia is the largest Georgia based community bank headquartered outside of Atlanta. And while you may think of community banking as a traditional business mold, Heath Fountain, President and CEO of Colony Bank, shared several innovative and even thought-provoking approaches for generous leadership.

• Securities & Charities Division Highlights Best Practices with State Law Enforcement

  August 26, 2022

  On Tuesday, the Secretary of State Securities and Charities Division led the Investment and Donor Fraud: Detect and Investigate Financial Exploitation seminar during the GBI’s Georgia Crime Information Center Training Symposium in Savannah.

• Georgia Council for the Arts Awards More Than $3.1M in Grant Funding to Support More than 200 Arts Organizations Throughout Georgia

  August 25, 2022

  Georgia Council for the Arts, a strategic arm of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced the recipients of its Bridge, Project, and Arts Education grants as part of its initial disbursement of grants for fiscal year 2023, which began on July 1st.

• The Georgia Department of Community Affairs/Georgia Serves Announces $7M in AmeriCorps Funding for Georgia

  August 25, 2022

  The State of Georgia announced that it has received $7,260,916 in AmeriCorps funding from AmeriCorps, a federal agency.

• State Transportation Board Elects New Leaders

  August 23, 2022

  The State Transportation Board of Georgia elected its new executive leadership team at its monthly board meeting on August 18th.

• Hospitality Industry in Columbus Back to Pre-pandemic Levels, Experts Say

  August 22, 2022

  Despite the city of Columbus being struck by the pandemic, experts say the hospitality industry is back to pre-pandemic levels.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interview: Staci Willson of Sunnyland Farms

  August 19, 2022

  Sunnyland Farms is a family-owned, fourth generation pecan farm that has been in business since 1948. What started as a mail order company has grown to serve tens of thousands of customers around the world. Staci Willson’s candid explanation of business generosity translates the idea into practical guidance for every sector and every size company.

• Aflac Names Virgil Miller President of Aflac US

  August 18, 2022

  Aflac Incorporated announced that Aflac U.S. Deputy President Virgil R. Miller has been named to succeed Teresa L. White as president, Aflac U.S., effective January 1st.

• Georgia’s Job Numbers Reach an All-Time High in July

  August 18, 2022

  Job numbers increased more than 12,000 from June to July to an all-time high and were up almost five percent over the year.

• Its Official: Atlanta to Host 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship

  August 17, 2022

  For the second time in less than a decade, the city of Atlanta will host the 2025 College Football Playoff National Championship. The game is slated for Monday, Jan. 6, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta becomes the first city to repeat as a host destination for college football’s biggest game.

• Georgia’s Record Breaking Economic Year A Result Of Planning And Focus

  August 15, 2022

  This should come as no surprise, but I didn’t win the recent $1.3 billion Mega Millions lottery jackpot. Neither did you unless you’re holding a ticket bought in Des Plains, Illinois at the end of July.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interview: Jud Savelle of Bishop Clean Care

  August 12, 2022

  Jud Savelle, President of Bishop Clean Care, is a native of Albany, who, along with his wife, Jenny, owns and manages their 70-year-old family business that focuses on residential and commercial cleaning services employing over 85 people in Southwest Georgia. Jud offered practical insight into the symbiotic relationship between every small business and the community in which you operate.

• Gov. Kemp Dedicates $240M for New Grant Program to Expand High-Speed Internet

  August 12, 2022

  Today, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the investment of $240 million to support the continued expansion of high-speed internet services to Georgians. These funds will be made available through the Capital Projects Fund Grant Program.

• Georgia Shatters Investment and Job Records in FY22

  August 11, 2022

  Governor Brian Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced that Georgia achieved another record year for economic development investments and job creation in the state during fiscal year 2022.

• USG Launches New One-stop Website to Help Students Make Decisions on College Affordability & Value

  August 10, 2022

  The University System of Georgia continues to lead the nation in matching the value of degree attainment to economic success as it launches a powerful new tool to help students and families work through critical decisions about college affordability and value.

• Greater Columbus Home Builders Association Celebrates 75 Years

  August 08, 2022

  The Greater Columbus Home Builders Association (GCHBA) is proud to celebrate 75 years in 2022.

• New Studio Space to Attract Big-Budget Features, Create More Jobs for Georgians

  August 08, 2022

  While COVID-19 brought the industry to a standstill in 2020, it’s now rebounding in a spectacular fashion. During fiscal year 2022, 412 film and television projects were produced in Georgia spending a record $4.4 billion in the state.

• Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus Hires New Executive Director

  August 05, 2022

  The Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus is proud to announce that Kellie Henry has been hired as our new Executive Director. Kellie has been with the YOGC since the fall of 2021, serving as our Marketing Director.

• Study Committees Preview 2023 Legislation and Political Battles

  August 05, 2022

  The work of the Georgia General Assembly doesn’t begin in January. It’s important to remember that our legislators are officially part-time. Most have other jobs and other responsibilities they attend to the rest of the year, and juggle those the best they can when the legislature meets.