August 2024 Features

• Georgia Historical Society Names Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia Newest Honoree in Georgia Business History Initiative

  August 30, 2024

  On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, the Georgia Historical Society unveiled a new historical marker in Columbus as part of the Georgia Business History Initiative. Dedicated in partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, the marker shares the history of Anthem’s Georgia Plan and its significance to Georgia’s economic history.

• Georgia Executives Brace for Political Storm: How to Protect Workplace Culture

  August 29, 2024

  A new report by goBeyondProfit reveals a staggering 56% of executives and 45% of employees fear that politics will disrupt their company culture this year. As the political landscape in Georgia continues to heat up, so too does the potential for workplace disruption.

• Georgia Job Creation & Momentum Remains Strong

  August 29, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, today announced another year of sustained momentum for business recruitment and expansions in Fiscal Year 2024. GDEcD’s Global Commerce team supported 429 facility expansions and new locations resulting in more than $20.3 billion in investment and the commitment of 26,900 new, private sector jobs statewide.

• MacKenzie Scott Gives $10 Million to Georgia Nonprofit ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs

  August 27, 2024

  A $10 million gift from billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott to ACE | Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs will have a dramatic impact on the nonprofit’s work to fuel the growth of Georgia businesses around the state, said Grace Fricks, ACE founder and CEO.

• Meet Ashanti: Forging a Future in Welding

  August 27, 2024

  We are proud to introduce Ashanti, a driven second-semester student at South Georgia Technical College, where she is pursuing a career in welding. Her story exemplifies strength, determination, and the transformative power of support.

• Technical College System of Georgia Achieves 9.3% Enrollment Growth

  August 27, 2024

  The Technical College System of Georgia announces a 9.3% increase in enrollment for the Academic Year 2024, bringing total enrollment to 148,746 students across the system. This is the highest number of students enrolled at TCSG since 2013.

• Chik-Fil-A College Football Hall of Fame Puts Fans Directly into the Game with Its New AI Experience

  August 26, 2024

  Set, Hike! The College Football Hall of Fame is setting a new industry milestone with its new GAME ON! AI Experience. This deeply engaging, personalized storytelling experience inserts fans into the rich history of college football.

• Business Generosity Yields Financial Rewards

  August 23, 2024

  Recent data tells us that 92% of executives plan to maintain or increase their current investments in generosity. 60% of executives plan to increase giving to employees, 46% to communities, and 45% in the way they operate their business. This is a significant jump from 2023, where only 33% planned to increase generosity investments.

• Governor Kemp Hosts Small Business Roundtable

  August 23, 2024

  Along with other state leaders, Governor Brian P. Kemp hosted small business leaders for a roundtable discussion on civil litigation policies impacting the state's business climate and day-to-day affordability for hardworking Georgians.

• Piedmont Futures Program Welcomes 20 Paid Student Employees

  August 22, 2024

  Piedmont Columbus Regional has welcomed its second group of paid student workers into the organization through the Piedmont Futures program.

• Discover Georgia’s Booming Food Processing Industry

  August 22, 2024

  Georgia’s food processing industry is a powerhouse, contributing over $11 billion annually to the state's GDP. With nearly half of the top 100 food processing companies operating here, the industry is poised for sustained growth. The Georgia Department of Economic Development drives industry growth in multiple ways.

• Columbus State’s Economic Impact Grows By 2.5% to $297M, USG Study Says

  August 21, 2024

  Columbus State University’s increasing economic impact in the Chattahoochee Valley continues a multi-year trend, according to an annual study by the University System of Georgia. The study, released on Aug. 14, analyzed regional Fiscal Year 2023 spending and jobs created by the state’s 26 public colleges and universities system.

• Survey: Consumers Expect to Spend More this Year on Back-to-School Shopping & This Fall on Discretionary Items

  August 21, 2024

  Anticipating higher prices for their shopping list than a year ago, consumers expect to spend 14% more on average on back-to-school shopping per child this year, according to a new KPMG survey conducted in July.

• Georgia Power Uses Drones to Inspect Transmission Lines

  August 20, 2024

  Georgia Power continues to focus on improving reliability and service for customers by making investments in the power grid and using advanced technology to prevent or restore power outages. The company is now deploying unmanned aerial systems, to inspect transmission power lines, helping ensure the safety and reliability of these main lines more efficiently and with greater accuracy than ever before.

• From Global to Local: Industries that Put Georgia on the Map

  August 19, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development and its economic development partners capitalized on the 2024 SelectUSA Investment Summit to demonstrate why Georgia stands out to international companies seeking to locate or expand in the U.S.

• Public Colleges Generated $21.9 Billion Impact on Georgia

  August 19, 2024

  New research from the Terry College of Business Selig Center for Economic Growth found the University System of Georgia (USG) had an impact of $21.9 billion on the state’s economy and generated more than 160,000 full- and part-time jobs during fiscal year 2023.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interviews: Dana Spinola, Founder and CEO of fab’rik (Part 2)

  August 16, 2024

  In part 2 of our interview with fab’rik Founder and CEO Dana Spinola, she shared how she empowers her team to find creative ways to deliver on the company purpose as well as frank insights from her founder’s journey.

• Student Success, Community Serve as Blueprint for New Columbus State Strategic Plan

  August 15, 2024

  Columbus State University leaders have unveiled “Better Together: 2030,” a new five-year strategic plan to propel the university forward through intentional service to its students, its employees and the community it serves.

• University System Board of Regents Adopts $3.6B Budget Request

  August 15, 2024

  The University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved a $3.6 billion fiscal 2026 budget request Wednesday. The 2026 budget, which takes effect next July, represents a $221.1 million increase over this year’s spending plan. By far the largest increase – $167.8 million – would cover projected enrollment growth.

• Georgia’s Labor Force is Over 5 Million Strong, but More Jobs Are Needed to Keep Unemployment Low

  August 15, 2024

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's July unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, up one-tenth from a revised 3.3 percent in June. The unemployment rate was nine-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Georgia Cities Leverage Smart Technology

  August 14, 2024

  Four cities discussed how their they use technology to reduce crime, improve traffic flow, enhance service delivery and drive economic growth during a breakfast hosted by GMA, the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation, which partners with local communities to bring innovative projects to fruition.

• RAISE Forum Seeks Post-Revenue Southeast Startup Applicants

  August 14, 2024

  Emory University’s Goizueta Business School will host the 18th semi-annual RAISE (Retention and Advanced Investment for the Southeast at Emory) Forum on Friday, November 15th.

• Meet Vladislav: An Inspiring Journey from Foster Care to Collegiate Success

  August 13, 2024

  Meet Vladislav, a junior at Columbus State University majoring in kinesiology. His story of overcoming adversity and pursuing his dreams is a testament to his resilience and determination and it’s thanks to generous tax credits from Georgians.

• Council for Quality Growth Hosts 400+ at 4th Annual INTERSECTION Quality Development Conference

  August 13, 2024

  On Friday, August 9, 2024, the Council for Quality Growth hosted more than 400 attendees at City Springs for its 4th annualThe INTERSECTION Quality Development Conference. This event is product of the Quality Growth Institute, the education arm of the Council.

• Fostering Success Act, Inc. Names Aaron James Executive Vice President for Donor Development

  August 12, 2024

  Fostering Success Act, Inc., a non-profit that raises tax credit funds to assist young adults transitioning out of the state’s foster care system, announced today that it has named Aaron James as its new Executive Vice President of Donor Development.