October 2021 Features

• Nearly $10 million in Democracy Grants Announced from Blank Family Foundation

  October 29, 2021

  The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation today announces the first set of grants from its new Democracy program area. The portfolio of 12 grants totaling nearly $10 million represents a diverse set of organizations with a strong presence in Georgia and the Southeast that are working to ensure all eligible Americans can access their right to vote and participate fully in our democracy.

• SK Group to Locate First of its Kind Glass-based Semiconductor-part Venture in Covington

  October 29, 2021

  Governor Kemp announced SK Group subsidiary company, SKC, and several business partners will manufacture glass-based substrates for semiconductor chips in Covington. The company will invest more than $473 million in this unprecedented venture and will create more than 400 new jobs in Newton County.

• The Supply Chain is Broken. Here’s Why.

  October 29, 2021

  Whether it’s because of COVID cancellations, labor shortages or increased demand, America’s supply chain system is choking. As we approach the busiest shopping season of the year, containers are piling up at the nation’s ports, and many consumers worry their gift purchases will be backlogged or unavailable.

• Atlanta Gas Light Foundation Invests in Workforce Training at Technical College System of Georgia

  October 28, 2021

  The Atlanta Gas Light Foundation is partnering with the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) to help dual enrollment and traditional students throughout Georgia develop the technical skills they need to succeed in the workforce.

• 2022’s Best States to Live Off the Grid

  October 28, 2021

  Whether you feel overconnected or want to save the planet, moving off the grid can help you both unplug and live more sustainably.

• JPMorgan Chase Expands Commitment to Atlanta with $3.2M for Entrepreneurs of Color

  October 27, 2021

  JPMorgan Chase today announced that it is committing $3.2 million to support minority owned small businesses in Atlanta through The Entrepreneurs of Color Fund (EOCF) program and an investment in technical assistance for small business owners.

• Georgia Council for the Arts Awards 67 Organizations $600,000 in Grant Funding

  October 27, 2021

  Georgia Council for the Arts, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced the recipients of the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities grant awards for fiscal year 2022.

• Metro Atlanta Community to Celebrate National Philanthropy Day

  October 25, 2021

  On November 4th, The Greater Atlanta Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals will honor visionary philanthropists at its 40th annual celebration of National Philanthropy Day, “Resurgence in Community,” presented by the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.

• Georgia Public Policy Foundation: Supply Chain Snags and Silver Linings

  October 25, 2021

  Suddenly, “supply chain” and “logistics” have joined “Go Braves” and “Go Dawgs” as some of the most uttered phrases in the state. The first two are not because of a newfound love of drivers and warehouse workers, however, nor because of a winning streak.

• Georgia Sets Record-low Unemployment Rate Achieving Highest Number of Employed Georgians Since Pandemic

  October 22, 2021

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia's unemployment rate dropped three-tenths of a percentage point to 3.2 percent in September, an all-time low for Georgia dipping below the rate of 3.3 percent in January 2020.

• Atlanta-based Spanx Sells Majority Stake to Investment firm Blackstone

  October 21, 2021

  SPANX, Inc., the mission-driven womenswear brand founded by Sara Blakely in 2000, announced a definitive agreement for a majority investment from funds managed by Blackstone, a leading global investment business.

• Greater North Fulton Chamber and North Fulton CID Announce 10,000 Avalon as New Office Location

  October 21, 2021

  The Greater North Fulton Chamber (GNFCC) announced a move to the 10,000 Building in Avalon at their Tuesday, October 19 Board of Directors Meeting. The Chamber, along with the North Fulton CID (NFCID), have officed in NorthWinds Summit on Haynes Bridge Road for 15 years.

• Northside Hospital Gwinnett Doubles Size of its Emergency Department, Receives Approval to Build 10-Story Patient Tower

  October 21, 2021

  Building on its commitment to strengthen health care resources in the Gwinnett region, Northside Hospital Gwinnett has completed a major expansion of its emergency department, begun work on a new patient tower, and is deepening its already significant community partnerships.

• Jackson Healthcare's LoveLifts Village Welcomes New Tenants to Growing Nonprofit Office Community

  October 19, 2021

  Jackson Healthcare, a family of highly specialized healthcare staffing, search and technology companies, announced that two nonprofit organizations – Atlanta Angels and Honduras Outreach Inc. – are the newest tenants of its LoveLift Village community.

• Atlanta Named One of the Top Cities for Financial Advisors & CPAs

  October 19, 2021

  Are you looking to dive into a career in finance or perhaps expand your current business? According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment in business and financial careers is projected to grow eight percent by 2030.

• UK-based Capital on Tap to Open U.S. Headquarters in Atlanta, Create 150 Jobs

  October 15, 2021

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced that UK-based Capital on Tap, an award-winning FinTech and payments company, will open its official U.S. headquarters in Atlanta to support its continued expansion in the U.S.

• Randstad USA & Metro Atlanta Chamber to Host 'CEO STEM Allies' Event

  October 15, 2021

  While the demand for STEM talent has increased rapidly over the last 30 years, the number of skilled STEM candidates available in the workforce has not. As part of their commitment to closing the STEM diversity gap, Randstad USA and Metro Atlanta Chamber will bring together top business leaders for a "CEO STEM Allies" panel discussion.

• USG Foundation Raises More than $625,000 for Need-Based Scholarships

  October 15, 2021

  The 17th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala on Wednesday evening raised more than $625,000 from generous sponsors and a live auction to support and provide need-based scholarships for University System of Georgia (USG) students across the state.

• Cisco to Open 'Talent and Collaboration Center' in Atlanta, Create 700 Jobs

  October 14, 2021

  At a gathering with state and local officials and members of Cisco’s executive leadership, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that American multinational technology conglomerate and Fortune 100 company Cisco will invest up to $41 million in opening a Talent and Collaboration Center in the Coda building in Midtown Atlanta. The company plans to create up to 700 jobs in the metro region with this significant expansion project.

• CEO Confidence Retreated in Q3, but CEOs Remain Optimistic

  October 14, 2021

  The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence in collaboration with The Business Council retreated in the third quarter of 2021, after hitting an all-time high in Q2. The measure now stands at 67, down from 82.

• Atlanta BeltLine Southside Trail Hosts Grand Opening

  October 13, 2021

  Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced the opening of the first segment of the Southside Trail. A ribbon cutting celebration took place at Pittsburgh Yards adjacent to the Atlanta BeltLine.

• Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation Presents 20 Statewide Preservation Awards at Ceremony

  October 13, 2021

  The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation presented 20 awards recognizing the best of preservation in Georgia during its 44th annual Preservation Awards ceremony in Macon.

• Small Businesses Hit By Supply Chain Woes Spending More To Overcome Issues

  October 12, 2021

  In the midst of having to navigate waves of COVID-19 and lockdowns, 87% of small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) have maintained, or spent more, on transportation, logistics, and expediting to overcome shortages -- this according to the "Logistics: Heads Up" study from Cargo.

• Delta's Exclusive Partnership with TSA Streamlines Check-in, Security in Atlanta

  October 11, 2021

  Traveling through Atlanta soon? If you have a TSA PreCheck membership and a Delta SkyMiles number, you may have the option to experience an expedited airport journey.

• Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark: Challenge Accepted: Solving Georgia's Labor Crisis

  October 11, 2021

  Across our state, workforce shortages persist, impacting every industry and size of business. And though we have witnessed an unprecedented global pandemic, this war for talent existed long before 2020 as employers began to experience mismatched skill sets in their job candidates. Notwithstanding, COVID-19 accelerated this trend.