February 2020 Features

• Toyota Financial Services to Establish New Service Center in Alpharetta, Create 150 Jobs

  February 28, 2020

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Toyota Financial Services will open a new office in Alpharetta to become the company’s East Dealer Service Center. The investment of more than $8 million will bring 150 new jobs to Fulton County.

• Lawmakers Take No Action on Bill Regarding Daylight Savings

  February 28, 2020

  Health, safety and consistency were mentioned over and over Tuesday as Legislators listened to testimony on House Bill 709 which would direct the state to hold a non-binding referendum asking Georgia residents if they would like to do away with daylight saving time. A non-binding referendum is a ballot question used to inform the state government about potential future action.

• How $173B Will Boost Mobility in Metro ATL

  February 27, 2020

  How do you keep metro Atlanta moving forward when nearly 3 million people are forecast to move here over the next three decades? That’s the daunting challenge facing regional planners and local governments.

• Gov. Kemp, Department of Agriculture Announce Georgia Farm Recovery Program

  February 27, 2020

• USG Foundation Raise More Than $908,000 for Need-based Scholarships

  February 27, 2020

  The 16th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala, hosted by the University System of Georgia (USG) Foundation, raised more than $908,000 from generous sponsors and a live auction to support and provide need-based scholarships for students at USG institutions across the state.

• Technology Association of Georgia Announces Will McIntosh of NBC Sports Group to Keynote at The Summit

  February 26, 2020

  The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) has announced that Will McIntosh, Executive Vice President, Digital and Sports Consumer Business, NBC Sports Group, will headline at TAG's premier annual showcase, The Summit March 3-4, 2020 at Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.

• Sonic Automotive, Inc. to Locate Regional Headquarters in Gwinnett Co., Create 130 Jobs

  February 25, 2020

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company and one of the largest retailers of new and pre-owned vehicles in the United States, will locate a dealership and regional headquarters for EchoPark Automotive in Duluth, creating 130 new jobs and investing $20 million in the project.

• Aetna Whole Health Launches In Atlanta Providing Fully Insured And Self-Insured Health Care Options For Employers

  February 25, 2020

  Aetna, a CVS Health company, is now offering fully insured and self-insured health care network options to its Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) and Exclusive Product Organization (EPO) product portfolios through Aetna Whole Health – Atlanta.

• USDA Invests $5M in Broadband for Rural Georgia Communities

  February 24, 2020

  Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced a $5 million investment in two, high-speed broadband infrastructure projects that will create or improve rural e-Connectivity for 1,221 rural households, 32 pre-subscribed businesses and 20 pre-subscribed farms in McIntosh and Evans counties in Georgia.

• Mercedes-Benz Unveils AMG-Exclusive Tier for “Mercedes-Benz Collection” Luxury Vehicle Subscription Plan in Atlanta

  February 21, 2020

  Mercedes-Benz is expanding its Mercedes-Benz Collection luxury vehicle subscription service to include a brand-new tier consisting exclusively of the company’s AMG high performance models. Currently available only in Atlanta, Ga., the AMG-Exclusive tier provides car enthusiasts with unprecedented access to the top echelon of the Mercedes-AMG product line.

• MARTA Names New Chief Customer Experience Officer, Establishes First Riders’ Advisory Council

  February 19, 2020

  Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) General Manager and CEO Jeffrey Parker has named a new chief customer experience officer and announced the formation of a Riders’ Advisory Council to ensure customers’ voices are heard regarding operations and capital programs.

• Piedmont Healthcare’s Community Benefit Program Provides Grants to 44 Nonprofits, Totaling More Than $500,000

  February 19, 2020

  Piedmont Healthcare’s community benefit program, which aims to improve the health and wellbeing of the communities the organization serves, has made more than $500,000 in community benefit awards.

• WellStar Health System Contributes nearly $9M to Expand KSU Nursing Program

  February 18, 2020

  Building on their longstanding relationship, Kennesaw State and WellStar Health System are partnering to address Georgia’s nursing shortage.

• Macy’s, Inc. $14M Atlanta Technology Hub to Locate at T3 West Midtown, Johns Creek

  February 18, 2020

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that Fortune 500 company Macy’s, Inc. will open a new office at Atlanta’s T3 West Midtown facility to create the innovative technology hub recently announced as part of the company’s three-year strategic plan, while maintaining its current Johns Creek facility. The $14 million project will create 630 new jobs.

• Atlanta Science Festival Unveils 2020 Programming, Immersive Launch

  February 13, 2020

  Atlanta Science Festival (ASF), the city’s premier celebration of all things science, returns with explosive events and excitement. Atlanta Science Festival representatives unveiled the schedule taking place March 6-21, 2020. Delta Air Lines continues as presenting sponsor.

• Georgia Tech’s Technology Square Phase III to Include George Tower

  February 13, 2020

  Momentum for Technology Square Phase III continues to grow with the naming of its second tower in honor of longtime supporters of Georgia Tech. The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia approved the naming of George Tower at its meeting Feb. 11 in recognition of philanthropists William “Bill” and Penny George.

• OPB Director Walks Lawmakers Through Proposal

  February 13, 2020

  State legislators took an unexpected recess this week to dig deep into the state’s budget — and Tuesday Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget director spent time walking lawmakers through the proposed plans for the Amended FY 20 and FY 21 budgets.

• Technology Association of Georgia Announces the Top 40 Innovative Technology Companies in Georgia

  February 12, 2020

  The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) has unveiled the Top 40 Innovative Technology Companies in Georgia winners. TAG’S Top 40 Awards, sponsored by Cherry Bekaert, recognize Georgia-based technology companies for their innovation, financial impact, and their efforts at spreading awareness of the state’s technology initiatives throughout the U.S. and globally.

• Creature Comforts Honored With the goBeyondProfit Champion Award

  February 11, 2020

  Today Creature Comforts Brewing Co. CEO Chris Herron and staff were presented with the goBeyondProfit Champion Award. They earned this rare honor for their strategic efforts to benefit their community and company by cultivating company culture, deploying company resources and focusing on community empowerment.

• 2019 Another Record Year for Georgia Exports

  February 11, 2020

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Georgia has set another record, this time in exports and global trade, as the state’s diverse industry base and global connectivity continue to drive competitiveness. In 2019, the State of Georgia tallied $41.2 billion in exports and $143.3 billion in overall international trade.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Serves as Economic Engine for Entire Southeast

  February 10, 2020

  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) generates more than $82 billion in annual economic impact for the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion (PAM), a recent economic impact study found. The PAM includes all or portions of six states: Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina and Florida.

• Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta’s GoATL Fund Invests $1.5M in Reinvestment Fund

  February 07, 2020

  GoATL Fund (GoATL), an impact investment fund launched by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, announced $1.5 million in two investments to Reinvestment Fund. The first investment, $1 million, will expand Reinvestment Fund’s existing GoATL investment supporting a diverse portfolio of impactful projects throughout metro Atlanta.

• Trey Kilpatrick Named VP for Government & Community Affairs at Georgia State

  February 07, 2020

  Martin “Trey” Kilpatrick, former deputy chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, has been appointed vice president for government and community affairs at Georgia State University.

• Senators Perdue, Loeffler Push Fort Benning As Home Of New Army Corps Headquarters

  February 07, 2020

  U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) are urging the U.S. Army to select Fort Benning as the Army’s fourth corps headquarters.

• Georgia Chamber Welcomes Business Prospects for 32nd Annual ‘Georgia Quail Hunt’ in Albany

  February 06, 2020

  This week, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosts its 32nd annual Georgia Quail Hunt in Albany as31 business leaders representing state recruitment and expansion prospects joined local, state and economic development officials to learn about the benefits of doing business in Georgia.