September 2025 Features

• Choose Columbus Announces Planned Expansion at The J.M. Smucker Co. Manufacturing Facility in Columbus

  September 30, 2025

  Choose Columbus today announced that Hostess Brands, LLC, a subsidiary of The J.M. Smucker Co., plans production expansion at its Hostess manufacturing facility in Columbus, which will result in a total investment of more than $120 million and the creation of at least 48 new jobs.

• Governor Kemp Recognizes Workforce Development Month; Announces Third Workforce Summit

  September 30, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp has proclaimed September as Workforce Development Month in Georgia, recognizing the critical role of education, training, and talent development in keeping the state competitive and promoting prosperity for hardworking Georgians.

• Georgia Breaks Tourism Records for Third Year in a Row

  September 29, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development in announcing that the state broke tourism records for the third consecutive year and ranked No. 5 in the nation for overnight visitation for the fifth year in a row.

• Historic High Levels of Commitment: Why Georgia Executives Are All-In on Generosity

  September 26, 2025

  The 2025 Business Generosity Report marks a watershed moment for Georgia executives. Even years ago, goBeyondProfit was founded to inspire business leaders to imagine the ways they could begin or expand their business generosity – and this year’s report demonstrates unquestionable impact on the state of business in Georgia.

• Georgia Named #1 for Business for 12th Straight Year

  September 25, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced that the state has been recognized as the No. 1 state for business by Area Development magazine for the 12th year in a row, marking an unmatched record of success and consistency in economic development.

• Hyundai Announced as a Title Sponsor for the 2025-2026 Georgia History Festival

  September 25, 2025

  The Georgia Historical Society is pleased to announce Hyundai (HMGMA) as a title sponsor for the 2025-2026 Georgia History Festival. The Festival is GHS’s signature K-12 educational program, reaching more than 250,000 students statewide from September through April each year.

• Debbie Deal Moody & Mat Swift Among 13 Honored by Columbus State Alumni Association

  September 24, 2025

  The Columbus State University Alumni Association bestowed its top alumni awards during an awards dinner on Thursday, Sept. 18th.

• 2nd Annual Georgia Reads Day Raises Awareness of the Importance of Literacy, Highlighting the Georgia Reads Movement

  September 24, 2025

  The Georgia Council on Literacy hosted its second annual Georgia Reads Day at the College Football Hall of Fame. The event featured a Reading Rally with more than 400 Atlanta Public School students to emphasize the importance of improving Georgia’s literacy rates.

• goBeyondProfit Report Reveals Generational Divide Quietly Reshaping the Workplace

  September 23, 2025

  While the cooling job market may keep employees in place, it doesn’t guarantee motivation or loyalty. The 2025 Generosity by the Generations Report uncovers significant differences in what each generation values, offering a roadmap for leaders aiming to boost productivity and build lasting loyalty.

• Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Announces Nearly $1M in Georgia Farm to Food Bank Program Awards

  September 22, 2025

  Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced that the Georgia Farm to Food Bank Program, a partnership between the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Feeding Georgia, has awarded $825,000 to eight regional food banks across the state.

• Georgia Businesses Redirecting Millions in Taxes Owed Through Foster Youth Tax Credit

  September 22, 2025

  Georgia businesses and taxpayers are seizing an unprecedented opportunity: redirecting their state income taxes to fund higher education for foster youth. The Fostering Success Act (FSA) today reported a 350 percent increase in youth served this academic year from its launch in 2023.

• Deloitte: Corporate Travel Forecast a Mixed Bag Amid Complex Conditions

  September 22, 2025

  Company travel spend holds steady, but changes are on the horizon: 3 in 4 travel managers surveyed plan to expand budgets this year (similar to 2024), but fewer expect to do so for 2026. However, the share of travel managers expecting budget cuts is up.

• New Employee Care Playbook Ties Generosity Investments to Increased Loyalty & Productivity

  September 19, 2025

  According to the 2025 Business Generosity Report released by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO, over half (52%) of employees rate their current company’s employee care as average or failing. This dissatisfaction is largely due to a gap between what employers offer and what employees consider above-and-beyond care.

• Georgia's Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.4% in August

  September 19, 2025

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia’s August 2025 unemployment rate was 3.4%, unchanged from July. The unemployment rate was nine-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Jim 'N Nick's Opens New Restaurant in Columbus

  September 18, 2025

  Jim 'N Nick’s Bar-B-Q celebrated the grand opening of its new location in Columbus yesterday with Mayor Skip Henderson, Columbus Chamber CEO Jansen Tidmore, East Alabama Chamber CEO Melissa Gaunt, and Giving Kitchen Trustee Katie Bishop, gathered to celebrate the new restaurant on Whittlesey Blvd.

• Georgia’s Commercial Construction Industry Generates $80.9 Billion in Economic Output and Supports Over Half a Million Jobs

  September 18, 2025

  Georgia’s commercial construction industry plays a commanding role in powering the state’s economy, generating a staggering $80.9 billion in total economic output, according to a comprehensive new economic impact report commissioned by Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia.

• WorkSource Georgia & GeorgiaDOL to Connect Skilled Workers with Cutting-Edge Private Sector Jobs

  September 17, 2025

  The Technical College System of Georgia’s WorkSource Georgia and the Georgia Department of Labor reaffirmed yesterday their shared commitment to strengthening Georgia’s workforce by helping unemployed Georgians transition into high-demand careers across the private sector.

• Report Reveals Challenges in Disaster Response for Georgia Farmers after Hurricane Helene

  September 16, 2025

  A new report released by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) reveals the immense challenges Georgia farmers faced in the first 72 hours following Hurricane Helene, the deadliest U.S. storm since Hurricane Katrina.

• Georgia Economic Development Investments Break New Record

  September 15, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), today announced another year of steady growth for business recruitment and expansions in Fiscal Year 2025, supporting 423 facility expansions and new locations.

• Mitch Watkins Joins Colony Bank as Senior Commercial Banking Manager, SVP

  September 12, 2025

  Colony Bank is pleased to announce that Mitch Watkins has joined as Senior Commercial Banking Manager, Senior Vice President. With more than three decades of banking and community leadership experience, Watkins brings deep expertise and a proven commitment to strengthening relationships in the Columbus area and beyond.

• Data Reveals Political Minefield in the Workplace and the Generosity Defense

  September 12, 2025

  The 2025 Business Generosity Report by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO reveals a concerning rise in political disruption, creating new challenges for leaders trying to build a unified, positive, and generous culture. The report reveals where executives and employees feel most vulnerable to political tensions at work.

• CSU & its Korean Institute Played Role in JS Link America’s $223M Investment in Columbus

  September 11, 2025

  As Columbus celebrates one of its most significant economic development wins in decades, Columbus State University is positioning itself to help further with business and cultural recruitment from South Korea.

• Georgia Power Partners with GPB & Georgia Historical Society to Relaunch "Today In Georgia History" Series

  September 11, 2025

  Georgia Power has partnered with Georgia Historical Society and Georgia Public Broadcasting to refresh and relaunch the Emmy award-winning series “Today in Georgia History.” This relaunch aligns with the start of the new school year and the 250th anniversary of the United States. "Today in Georgia History" will be available across GPB’s statewide network, reaching nine television stations and 21 radio stations.

• LaunchCon Presented by W.C. Bradley Co. Announces Keynote Speaker Jay Bailey & Full Schedule for October 23rd Conference

  September 09, 2025

  StartUP Columbus and the D. Abbott Turner College of Business and Technology at Columbus State University have unveiled the full schedule and keynote speaker for LaunchCon presented by W.C. Bradley Co., a dynamic one-day entrepreneurship conference and pitch competition presented by FinSync taking place Thursday, October 23rd at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center.

• The Loyalty Paradox – Getting Generosity ‘Right’ Has Real Business Consequences

  September 05, 2025

  While leaders focus on external market pressures, the 2025 Business Generosity Report suggests a surprising retention challenge is quietly unfolding within their organizations.