October 2017 Features

• Site Selection Ranks Georgia No. 1 for Business for Fifth Straight Year

  October 31, 2017

  Gov. Nathan Deal announced that Georgia has been named the No. 1 state in the nation in which to do business for the fifth consecutive year by Site Selection, a leading economic development trade magazine. According to Site Selection, Georgia is the first state to hold this ranking for five consecutive years under the same governor.

• Deadline Tomorrow to Nominate a Small Business for The 2018 Georgia Small Business ROCK STAR Awards

  October 30, 2017

  According to Mary Ellen McClanahan, Entrepreneur and Small Business director for the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the future is bright. That’s why the Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA) and GDEcD work together each year to “spotlight Georgia’s best, brightest and most unique.”

• AT&T Invests Nearly $2.8B Over 3-Year Period to Enhance Local Networks in Metro Atlanta Area

  October 27, 2017

  At AT&T, we invested nearly $2.8-billion in our Metro Atlanta wireless and wired networks during 2014-2016. These investments enhance reliability, coverage, speed and overall performance for residents and businesses. They also improve critical services that support public safety and first responders.

• Jobs Decrease in Atlanta, Unemployment Down in September

  October 26, 2017

  State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that metro Atlanta’s booming economy posted a strong September even while the region lost jobs for the month.

• HJ Russell & Company Launches S.P.A.C.E. Venues Division

  October 26, 2017

  There aren’t too many companies that can claim to be a bigger part of constructing Atlanta’s skyline and urban development than H.J. Russell & Company. As Russell’s first joint venture sports and entertainment venue project disappears from the Atlanta skyline, a new venture emerges. Russell announces it will leverage its 25 years of industry-specific expertise in this increasingly sought-after and competitive market, and launch S.P.A.C.E. Venues.

• Zac Brown Band, Fans and Sponsors Raise Record Amount for Camp Southern Ground

  October 25, 2017

  On Saturday, October 14th the multi-platinum GRAMMY award-winning Zac Brown Band took the stage at the Southern Ground Amphitheater in Fayetteville, Georgia for the sixth annual Night of Candles benefit show in support of Camp Southern Ground. In a record breaking night, the event helped to raise 1.7 million dollars for Camp Southern Ground.

• 2018 MLS All-Star Game Presented by Target Awarded to Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium

  October 24, 2017

  In recognition of the extraordinary success of Atlanta United during the club’s inaugural season, the passion shown by the soccer supporters throughout the southeast, and the arrival of a game-changing stadium for the city, MLS announced that Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the home of Atlanta United, will be the site of the 2018 MLS All-Star Game presented by Target.

• Coca-Cola North America President to Retire, Replacement Picked

  October 24, 2017

  The Coca-Cola Company announced that J. Alexander “Sandy” Douglas Jr. will retire as President of Coca-Cola North America. He will be succeeded by James L. “Jim” Dinkins, who currently serves as President of the Minute Maid Business Unit and Chief Retail Sales Officer for CCNA.

• Autotrader Celebrates 20th Anniversary as Online Car Shopping Pioneer

  October 23, 2017

  Car shopping has come a long way over the last 20 years, from the days of fliers and circulars, to today's connected experience seamlessly blending the online to in-store shopping journey. As the first nationwide online car shopping site, Autotrader has been at the forefront of digital automotive retail innovation since it was established in 1997.

• Southern Company Subsidiary PowerSecure Signs Contract to Help Restore Puerto Rico Electric Grid

  October 23, 2017

  PowerSecure, a subsidiary of Southern Company, has been awarded a contract by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for additional support to repair the power grid in Puerto Rico.

• Atlanta BeltLine Secures Remaining Land in Northeast Corridor

  October 20, 2017

  Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. has closed on the 13 acres of land remaining to complete the northeast corridor between Rock Springs Road, NE and Mayson Street, NE. The land, previously owned by Norfolk Southern, is the last remaining portion of corridor needed to complete the Eastside Trail up to the Armour area.

• Genuine Parts Company Announces Industrial And Automotive Acquisitions

  October 20, 2017

  Genuine Parts Company announced acquisitions for both its Industrial Group, Motion Industries, and its U.S. Automotive Parts Group.

• NCR Sponsors HackGT, One of North America’s Largest Hackathons

  October 19, 2017

  NCR Corporation, a global leader in omni-channel solutions, sponsored one of North America’s largest hackathons, HackGT, from October 13th-15th hosted at Georgia Tech. More than 1,000 student developers from around the country—selected from a record-setting group of more than 3,000 applicants—tested their creativity by developing cross-industry solutions and applications to create better consumer experiences.

• Fresh MARTA Markets Continue to Grow Thanks to $500,000 USDA Grant

  October 19, 2017

  The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority plans to expand its fresh produce kiosks in 2018 thanks to a $500,000 United States Department of Agriculture grant, the agency announced. Currently, the transit authority has Fresh MARTA Markets located at four rail stations.

• Jobs Decrease Slightly in State, as Hurricane Irma Impacts Coastal Georgia

  October 19, 2017

  State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler said today that Hurricane Irma caused Georgia’s job numbers to fall and unemployment claims to rise in September.

• 4,000+ Georgia Power Solar Panels in Place at New Mercedes-Benz Stadium

  October 18, 2017

  As Mercedes-Benz Stadium opens for its inaugural season, more than 4,000 solar panels installed by Georgia Power across the campus will harness the power of the sun to produce renewable energy.

• The Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS Releases Q3 Office Market Statistics

  October 18, 2017

  The Atlanta Commercial Board of REALTORS, the largest commercial REALTOR association in the country, released its Q3 2017 Office Brief on office market trend statistics for 30 Atlanta Office Sub Markets. Office Brief is compiled by data from Xceligent, a leading provider of verified commercial real estate information.

• Atlanta Private Equity Firm Buying Ruby Tuesday for $146M

  October 17, 2017

  Ruby Tuesday, Inc. announced an agreement to be acquired by a fund managed by NRD Capital, an Atlanta-based private equity firm that specializes in franchised and multi-location business investments.

• Board of Trustees Appoints 12th President of Morehouse College

  October 17, 2017

  The Morehouse College Board of Trustees voted Sunday to name Dr. David A. Thomas as the 12th President of Morehouse College, ushering in a new era of leadership for the 150-year-old historically black institution.

• Last Chance to Participate in the Georgia CEO Q4 Business Index Survey

  October 17, 2017

  Georgia CEO has partnered with Georgia Southern University College of Business to develop a statewide industry index to track economic conditions. The index results helps business owners, politicians and local leaders understand the economic environment of the state on a quarterly basis.

• Atlanta Committee for Progress Releases “Go-Forward Priorities” for City of Atlanta

  October 16, 2017

  The Atlanta Committee for Progress, a partnership between the city’s top business, civic and academic leaders, and the Mayor of Atlanta, released a public policy platform with priorities for the city’s future and recommendations for the next mayoral administration. The overarching goal of the ACP’s recommendations is to accelerate Atlanta’s competitiveness for residents, businesses and investment while expanding economic opportunity for all.

• State of the Georgia Ports: Surge of Private Investments, Record Cargo Volumes

  October 16, 2017

  During his annual State of the Port Address, Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch announced record cargo volumes, infrastructure development and two new customers bringing a combined 1 million square feet of additional distribution center space to Savannah.

• South Carolina and Georgia Play Role in AT&T’s Hurricane Maria Response

  October 13, 2017

  As the response to Hurricane Maria continues in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, AT&T is utilizing South Carolina and Georgia resources in its recovery efforts.

• United Way’s VIP Board Training Program Celebrates 25 Years

  October 12, 2017

  United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Volunteer Involvement Program provides effective board governance training for professionals across the region. Over the past 25 years, the program has trained more than 2,200 graduates and connected them to nonprofit organizations.

• Atlanta Fed Launches Center for Workforce and Economic Opportunity

  October 11, 2017

  The Atlanta Fed’s new Center for Workforce and Economic Opportunity acts as a bridge between research and practice by making Federal Reserve System work related to the labor market, employment opportunities, and workforce development accessible to researchers, businesses, and policymakers.