May 2025 Features

• Mercedes-Benz Establishing North American Headquarters, New Research & Development Hub in Metro Atlanta

  May 22, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp today announced that Mercedes-Benz will establish Atlanta as Mercedes-Benz’s headquarters in North America by centralizing and uniting key corporate functions. The company will move up to 500 jobs to the existing Mercedes-Benz facility, known as “1MB,” in Fulton County, and make a multi-million dollar investment in a future state-of-the-art R&D facility to also be located nearby.

• Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce Names Jansen Tidmore as President & CEO

  May 21, 2025

  The Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the hiring of Jansen Tidmore as its new President and Chief Executive Officer. With more than a decade of proven success in collaborative business leadership and private sector growth strategies, Tidmore steps into the role as the Chamber marks its 180th year serving the Columbus business community.

• Port of Savannah Container Trade Up 17% in April

  May 21, 2025

  The Georgia Ports Authority had its busiest April ever for container trade, moving 515,500 twenty-foot equivalent container units last month. The Port of Savannah achieved an increase of 74,500 TEUs or 17 percent compared to the same month last year.

• New Report: Small Businesses Stayed Positive on Growth in Q1 - While Bracing for Economic Shifts

  May 21, 2025

  Small businesses remain generally positive about growth potential, though optimism has fallen slightly in the face of economic uncertainty, according to the latest Small Business Cash Flow Trend Report from OnDeck.

• Georgia Power Offers to Freeze Customer Rates

  May 20, 2025

  Georgia Power will not seek to raise base rates for the next three years under a proposed agreement the Atlanta-based utility announced Monday.

• Small but Mighty: 2025 Small Cities Conference Unites Georgia’s Local Leaders in Tifton

  May 19, 2025

  Everything from changes in redevelopment to navigating budget constraints was on the table at the Georgia Municipal Association’s 2025 Small Cities Conference, showcasing of what makes Georgia’s smallest cities “small but mighty.”

• Georgia Chamber Releases Report on the State’s Economic Impact from Recent Trade Agreements

  May 16, 2025

  On Thrusday, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the release of their most recent Tariffs Briefing. This publication offers timely insights into the evolving global trade landscape, focusing on recent trade agreements between the United States and China, the United Kingdom, and Saudi Arabia.

• Passage of New Georgia Bill a Win for Farmers

  May 13, 2025

  Farmers and others in agriculture applaud Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia General Assembly for supporting the crop protection tools so important to Georgia’s farmers’ ability to produce affordable, safe, abundant food.

• Scouting America to Honor Christopher Woodruff as 2025 ‘Champion of Change’

  May 12, 2025

  Christopher Woodruff has been a driving force behind Columbus’ evolving real estate landscape and the region’s quality of life for more than two decades. For these reasons and his extensive portfolio of community leadership, the Chattahoochee Council will honor him at its 2025 Champion of Change Dinner on Tuesday, May 13th.

• Governor Kemp Signs $37.7 Billion State Budget

  May 12, 2025

  Gov. Brian Kemp signed a $37.7 billion fiscal 2026 state budget Friday, a spending plan that prioritizes education and prisons.

• Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Delivering Hurricane Helene Relief & Supporting Georgia Agriculture and Forestry

  May 09, 2025

  Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo, constitutional officers, and members of the Georgia General Assembly, signed three pieces of legislation that provides support for Georgia's agriculture and forestry industry and delivers promised relief to farmers and timber producers impacted by Hurricane Helene.

• New Executive Council Will Advise Georgia’s Largest Knowledge Community

  May 08, 2025

  The Rowen Foundation is pleased to announce the formation of its inaugural executive advisory council – a diverse collection of leaders who will help inform the vision of Georgia’s largest knowledge sharing community.

• Business Travel to Georgia Rises Alongside New Venue Offerings

  May 07, 2025

  With unmatched domestic and global connectivity, world-class venues and hospitality, and a diverse range of experiences statewide, Georgia stands out as a premier destination for hosting meetings and conventions of all sizes.

• Georgia Unveils 2025 ‘Small Business ROCK STARS’

  May 06, 2025

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development today announced its five 2025 Small Business ROCK STARS as part of the state’s celebration of Georgia Small Business Week 2025, recognized May 4-10, 2025.

• Dale Cardwell: Why the Fostering Success Act Is an Investment in Georgia’s Youth—and Its Future

  May 06, 2025

  Dale Cardwell, consumer advocate and founder of TrustDale.com, is calling on Georgia business leaders to seize a unique opportunity to change lives, without spending a dime. In his video message, Cardwell spotlights the power of the Fostering Success Act.

• Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation Names Amanda Zarate 2025 MCSD Teacher of the Year

  May 05, 2025

  The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation named Amanda Zarate the 2025 MCSD Teacher of the Year. Amanda teaches theater at Wynnton Arts Academy. The announcement was made in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 1,100 teachers and community leaders on Thursday, May 1st, 2025, at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center in Columbus, GA.

• Georgia Power Names Audrey King & Cleve Fann to Key Leadership Roles

  May 05, 2025

  Georgia Power has named Audrey King as senior vice president of Corporate Responsibility, and president and CEO of the Georgia Power Foundation, and Cleve Fann, previously vice president of strategy and support in Power Delivery, has been named senior vice president of Region External Affairs, replacing King.

• Office of the Governor & the Georgia Historical Society Induct Sonny Deriso and Craig Menear as Georgia Trustees, the State’s Highest Honor

  May 02, 2025

  Two accomplished Georgians have been inducted by the Office of the Governor of Georgia and the Georgia Historical Society as the 2025 Georgia Trustees, the state’s highest honor.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interviews: Greg Parker, Founder and Executive Chairman of Parker’s Kitchen

  May 02, 2025

  In part 2 of our interview with Parker’s Kitchen Founder and Executive Chairman, Greg Parker, he shares how giving back has become part of the DNA at Parker’s Kitchen – giving away more than $30 million in the last six years. In his first interview since becoming Executive Chairman, Greg Parker shares career insights and how lasting success stems from service and generosity.

• TCSG Announces 2025 Student of the Year & Instructor of the Year

  May 01, 2025

  The Technical College System of Georgia announced the state’s top technical college student and top instructor for 2025. Jason Colbert, a Nursing student from Southeastern Technical College, was chosen as this year’s Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) winner and Ekaterina Mirzakulova, a Chemistry instructor from Central Georgia Technical College, was chosen as the winner of this year’s Rick Perkins Award for Excellence in Technical Instruction.