August 2017 Features

• Concierges, Pools and Historic Buildings Are Atlanta's Most Popular Rental Listing Amenities

  August 30, 2017

  Concierges, pools, historic buildings, grills and clubrooms are Atlanta's top five most popular rental amenities compared to other big cities, according to HotPads.

• Coca-Cola & Chick-fil-A Keynote Speakers Confirmed for the Georgia Manufacturing Summit

  August 30, 2017

  Manufacturing leaders from across Georgia will hear two of the top leaders in Supply Chain Management during the Georgia Manufacturing Summit on October 25th. Debra Shankle, V.P. of Supply Chain for Coca-Cola North America, and Rob Dugas, the Chief Procurement Officer and V.P. of Chick-fil-A, will address the impact of manufacturing on the Food & Beverage Industry.

• Governor Unveils Martin Luther King Jr. Statue at State Capitol

  August 29, 2017

  Gov. Nathan Deal, joined by First Lady Sandra Deal, members of the King family, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, House Speaker David Ralston, Rep. Calvin Smyre, members of the Georgia Capitol Arts Standards Commission and other dignitaries, unveiled the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue at the northeast quadrant of the State Capitol.

• Atlanta Habitat Appoints Delta and Oldcastle Leaders to BOD

  August 29, 2017

  John Laughter, Senior Vice President-Corporate Safety, Security and Compliance for Delta Air Lines and Karen Tracy-Executive Vice President EVP Talent Management for Oldcastle joined Atlanta Habitat for Humanity board of directors this summer.

• City of Atlanta and Georgia Institute of Technology Announce Expanded Research Partnership for Smart City Initiatives

  August 25, 2017

  The City of Atlanta announced an expanded research partnership with the Georgia Institute of Technology, which has partnered with the City since 2015 to design, implement and study Smart City initiatives. Through the partnership, Georgia Tech will act as the official research partner for the North Avenue Smart Corridor Project, which is funded by the Renew Atlanta Infrastructure Bond program.

• CSU’s Leadership Institute to Bring 2017 Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum to Columbus August 28th-29th

  August 25, 2017

  For the 12th year, the Jim Blanchard Leadership Forum, hosted by the Leadership Institute at Columbus State University, will bring a lineup of the best and brightest minds in the world to Columbus. This year’s event, themed “Inspired Leadership” features leaders in various sectors, including business, education, technology, leadership, sports, politics and military.

• Albany-Dougherty County Spring 2018 Site of Gamechangers Leadership Program

  August 23, 2017

  Albany-Dougherty County leaders announced yesterday the community's selection as the host site for the spring 2018 class of GeorgiaForward's Young Gamechangers, a leadership action program that makes a tangible impact in select communities by bringing young minds into the public sphere as respected idea-generators and problem-solvers.

• University System of Georgia’s Economic Impact on Georgia Totals $16.8B

  August 22, 2017

  The University System of Georgia’s economic impact on the state was $16.8 billion in Fiscal Year 2016 according to the most recent study conducted by the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

• Georgia’s Jobless Rate Continues to Drop, Down to 4.7% in July

  August 18, 2017

  Georgia’s unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in over a decade. The state’s seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate decreased for the sixth consecutive month to 4.7 percent in July. The rate is down one-tenth of a percentage point from 4.8 percent in June. In July 2016, the rate was 5.3 percent.

• Frazier & Deeter Opens Las Vegas Office

  August 18, 2017

  Frazier & Deeter, a nationally ranked public accounting and advisory firm, announced that they have opened a new office in Las Vegas. The new office will enable the firm to better serve clients in the Las Vegas area and across the western region.

• City of Atlanta Announces Applications Open for Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative for 2018-19 Business Incubator Program

  August 17, 2017

  The City of Atlanta announced that the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative, the nation’s only city-funded incubator for women business owners, has opened the application process for choosing its next 15-member group of promising women entrepreneurs.

• Georgia Chamber Hosts Annual Congressional Luncheon

  August 17, 2017

  On Tuesday, the Georgia Chamber hosted their annual Congressional Luncheon at the Macon Marriott City Center with a sold-out crowd. Each year, the luncheon brings together over 2,000 business leaders, state and federal elected officials, and community champions from all regions of the state.

• Westside Future Fund Launches Westside Volunteer Corps in Partnership with United Way and CFA Foundation

  August 16, 2017

  The Westside Future Fund has announced the launch of its newest initiative, the Westside Volunteer Corps, a year-round program to attract and mobilize volunteers—residents and non-residents, individuals and corporate groups—who are inspired to be part of the revitalization of Atlanta’s Historic Westside.

• Mercedes-Benz Stadium One Step Closer to Becoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Host Venue

  August 16, 2017

  Tuesday marked the first step in Atlanta United's Mercedes-Benz Stadium possibly serving as an Official Host City for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It's one of 49 stadiums in 44 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico approached by the United Bid Committee Tuesday.

• Draffin & Tucker, LLP Contributes $124,000 to Georgia Rural Hospitals Through State’s New Tax Credit Program

  August 15, 2017

  As part of Georgia’s new Rural Hospital Tax Credit Program, Draffin & Tucker, LLP is pleased to announce they will be contributing $124,000 through this program to all eligible rural hospitals in the state. This contribution will be equally divided between all 49 eligible hospitals.

• Georgia Tech Hosts Smart Communities Workshop

  August 14, 2017

  On July 21st, GMA partnered with the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Atlanta Regional Commission, ACCG, Georgia Centers of Innovation, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, and Technology Association of Georgia, to host local governments, government associations, and industry and academic leaders for a Smart Communities Workshop.

• KSU President Sam Olens: ‘Student Success is Our No. 1 Priority’

  August 11, 2017

  Kennesaw State University President Sam Olens welcomed faculty and staff to campus Thursday for the 2017-18 academic year, and encouraged them to take advantage of “the unique opportunity we have to transform the lives of our students.”

• Delta SkyMiles Named Best Travel Rewards Program by U.S. News for 2017-2018

  August 11, 2017

  Delta SkyMiles is the top U.S. global airline loyalty program in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017-2018 Best Travel Rewards Programs ranking.

• Merger Creates Rental-home Giant with 13,000 Atlanta Properties

  August 11, 2017

  Invitation Homes and Starwood Waypoint Homes, two leading owners and operators of single-family rental homes in the United States, announced the signing of a definitive agreement to combine in a 100 percent stock-for-stock merger-of-equals transaction. The combined company, which will operate under the name “Invitation Homes,” will bring together the best practices, technology, and personnel from both firms to create the premier single-family rental company in the United States.

• $612M Atlanta Medical Office Deal Announced

  August 10, 2017

  Healthcare Realty Trust Incorporated announced it has executed definitive agreements to purchase fifteen medical office buildings located in Atlanta for a purchase price of $612.5 million. The properties are located on hospital campuses or fully leased to three leading health systems in Atlanta.

• Creative Financial Group Surpasses $1 Billion in Assets: Insights from Robert “Buzz” Law and Richard Raby

  August 09, 2017

  Georgia CEO presents this special profile on the Creative Financial Group, Ltd (CFG) in Atlanta, Georgia. We had the opportunity to sit down with Robert “Buzz” Law who serves as President, and Portfolio Manager Richard Raby to learn how the Creative Financial Group helps corporations, executives and area residents and their families with comprehensive financial, estate, investment and tax planning matters.

• Georgia State Names Football Field for Business Leader Parker H. “Pete” Petit

  August 09, 2017

  Georgia State University will name its football field at Georgia State Stadium in honor of Parker H. “Pete” Petit, chairman and chief executive officer of MiMedx Group, successful entrepreneur and long-time supporter of the university, who has made a $10 million gift to the university to support the Athletics program.

• Douglas County Chamber Executive Kali Boatright Named 2017 GACCE Legacy Award Recipient

  August 09, 2017

  Kali Boatright, President & CEO of the Douglas County Chamber of Commerce, was presented with GACCE’s top award – the GACCE Legacy Award. The announcement was made at the 2017 GACCE Executive Leadership Conference held at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.

• U.K. Fashion Retailer ASOS to Create More Than 1,600 Jobs in Fulton County

  August 08, 2017

• Former White House CIO and Cybersecurity Expert to Speak at September Mercer Executive Forum

  August 08, 2017

  As the star of the CBS TV series, "Hunted," Theresa Payton identifies emerging trends and techniques to help combat cyber threats, from the impact of the Internet of Things to securing Big Data.