December 2021 Features

• goBeyondProfit’s Top 2021 CEO Insights Curated for You

  December 30, 2021

  We blinked and the year is over. In an ever-changing business climate, goBeyondProfit shared candid insights from peers and ideas for leading with generosity. Below you’ll find a curated selection of the most relevant, talked about resources.

• Rivian to Build $5B Electric Truck Plant in Georgia, Largest Economic Development Project in State History

  December 17, 2021

  At an event with company leaders, Governor Brian Kemp announced yesterday that Rivian will invest $5 billion in a carbon-conscious campus in Georgia for its electric adventure vehicles. Across operations, Rivian will create approximately 7,500 jobs in the state.

• Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta Closes Out Fourth Quarter Grantmaking with $1.5 Million to 34 Organizations

  December 17, 2021

  The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta announces a final round of grantmaking for 2021, issuing $1.5 million to 34 organizations.

• 'Tis the Season: More than 109 Million Americans to Travel for the Holidays; 34% More Georgians than 2020

  December 17, 2021

  Americans who had to cancel getaways and get-togethers last year because of the pandemic are making up for lost time this holiday season. More than 109 million people — an almost 34% increase from 2020 — will travel 50 miles or more as they hit the road, board airplanes or take other transportation out of town between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2.

• Council for Quality Growth to Host 36th Annual Meeting

  December 16, 2021

  On Friday morning, December 17, 2021, the Council for Quality Growth will host its 36th Annual Meeting to celebrate another successful year of advocacy, convention, and education for metro Atlanta’s growth and development industry.

• ACVB Closes 2021 with Destination Accolades and Industry Awards

  December 16, 2021

  2021 was a banner year for the city of Atlanta with recognitions as one of the best destinations in the world for travelers as well as a top city for conventions and events.

• Georgia Employs Highest Number of Georgians Ever

  December 16, 2021

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced today that the state now employs the highest number of Georgians ever, surpassing the number of employed prior to the pandemic by over 3,000.

• Mayor Bottoms Celebrates Launch of Historic “Light Up the Night” Crime & Traffic Crash Prevention Initiative

  December 15, 2021

  Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms—joined by Chairman, President and CEO of Georgia Power Chris Womack, ATLDOT Commissioner Josh Rowan, Councilmembers Andrea Boone and Marci Collier Overstreet and community members—celebrated the launch of the “One Atlanta—Light Up the Night” citywide streetlight project.

• Georgia Ranks First in New Election Integrity Scorecard

  December 15, 2021

  Georgia has ranked first on the Heritage Foundation’s new Election Integrity Scorecard. After passage of Georgia’s new election law, SB202, Georgia received 83 out of a total possible 100 points, and top marks in voter ID implementation, voter list accuracy, and citizenship verification. Georgia was ranked as the top state in the country for Election Integrity.

• The Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research Opens in Atlanta

  December 15, 2021

  The Arthur M. Blank Center for Stuttering Education and Research (the Blank Center), first established in 2020 at The University of Texas at Austin Moody College of Communication, has opened its first satellite location in Atlanta, funded by a $12.25 million grant from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation.

• Alex Taylor Named Chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises

  December 14, 2021

  Cox Enterprises has announced that Alexander C. Taylor has been named chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises, effective Jan. 1st. This leadership change comes as current Chairman James C. Kennedy moves to the role of chairman emeritus.

• Georgia’s Economy Well On its Way ‘Back to Normal’ by End of 2022

  December 14, 2021

  Consumer spending, housing, business investment and local governments fuel growth. The Georgia economy is on track to exceed its pre-pandemic peak and make a full recovery by the end of 2022, recovering faster than the national economy.

• White House Appoints SBA Southeast Regional Administrator

  December 14, 2021

  Allen Thomas of Greenville, North Carolina has been sworn in as Region IV (4) Administrator for the U.S. Small Business Administration. He has oversight of the federal Agency for nine district offices located across eight states; Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

• CEO Confidence Slipped Further in Q4, but CEOs Remain Optimistic Entering 2022

  December 13, 2021

  The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence in collaboration with The Business Council retreated in the final quarter of 2021. The measure now stands at 65, down moderately from 67 in Q3 2021—and substantially from Q2's all-time high of 82.

• Community Foundation Announces Incoming Board Vice Chair, Recognizes Board Members Completing Service

  December 10, 2021

  The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta is pleased to announce accomplishments for its 2018-2021 strategic plan, a new Vice-Chair for the 70-year-old organization’s next season, and to honor its departing devoted Board of Directors whose multi-year voluntary commitment of time, talent and treasure have worked to ensure the Atlanta metropolitan region thrives.

• Upper Westside Improvement District Reaches Deal to Open Waterworks Hill

  December 10, 2021

  For the first time in 25 years, one of the highest points in the city of Atlanta will be open to the public, thanks to the Upper Westside Improvement District and Friends of Waterworks.

• HOPE Scholarship Has Helped More Than 2 Million Georgians

  December 10, 2021

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the HOPE (Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally) Scholarship Program has helped more than 2 million Georgia students pursue postsecondary education in Georgia.

• Georgia Department of Economic Development Announces 2021 GEAR Award Winners

  December 09, 2021

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today announced the five companies that earned 2021 GEAR Awards. These awards are designed to recognize forward movement in the state’s automotive and mobility industries through innovation and emerging technologies.

• Metro Atlanta Leaders Taking on Alzheimer's with a Pair of Dancing Shoes

  December 09, 2021

  Philanthropic Atlanta residents will show their moves on the dance floor for one exciting evening to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association, Georgia Chapter. The event, Dancing Stars of Atlanta, will take place on Saturday, May 21 at Cobb Galleria in Atlanta.

• Employees are Increasingly Driving Companies' Disaster Philanthropy Efforts

  December 09, 2021

  As the frequency, intensity, and economic fallout from natural disasters continues to rise, employees are fast-emerging as an influential force driving their companies' disaster philanthropy efforts.

• Small Business Administration Awards Fulton County $1M Community Navigator Pilot Program Grant

  December 08, 2021

  Fulton County, through its Economic Development arm Select Fulton, was selected by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as one of only 51 organizations nationally to receive a $1,000,000 grant from the Community Navigator Pilot Program, an American Rescue Plan initiative designed to reduce barriers that all small businesses.

• Gas South Renews Partnership as Official Natural Gas Provider of World Champion Atlanta Braves

  December 08, 2021

  Gas South, the Southeast’s leading retail natural gas provider, announced the renewal of its partnership with the World Series Champion Atlanta Braves, maintaining its position as the team’s official natural gas provider for the next five years.

• Employees of Small Businesses See Record High Hourly Earnings Growth in November; Job Growth Also Continues to Increase

  December 08, 2021

  Wage growth reached a new high for the employees of small businesses in the U.S. in November, according to aggregated payroll data of approximately 350,000 Paychex clients with fewer than 50 employees.

• Yasmine Murray Tells Her Inspiring Career Story on H. J. Russell & Company’s We Build: The Podcast

  December 07, 2021

  Yasmine Murray, H. J. Russell & Company’s most senior female executive and second in command, appears on We Build: The Podcast to offer words of wisdom and jewels for success.

• Georgia Chamber Holds Virtual Webinar on Maximizing Global Talent to Address Labor Needs, Spark Economic Growth

  December 07, 2021

  On Wednesday, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted a virtual webinar titled, "Georgia's New Economic Growth Strategy: Maximizing Global Talent" on the importance of utilizing the state's diverse immigrant population to increase workforce participation and economic contributions.