January 2023 Features

• SK Battery America Exceeds Hiring Goal, On Track to Reach 3,000 Workers

  January 30, 2023

  Governor Brian Kemp today announced SK Battery America has exceeded its hiring goal of 2,600 employees two years ahead of schedule for its two lithium-ion battery manufacturing facilities in Commerce, Georgia. The company met its goal at the end of 2022 and is further expanding its workforce to approximately 3,000 over the next year to meet the growing demand for electric vehicles.

• CEOs Pessimistic About Revenue and Economic Growth, Survey Finds

  January 30, 2023

  GLG, the world's insight network, released the findings of its fourth annual global CEO survey, which asked more than 450 CEOs around the world about the economic impacts of 2022 and their priorities and outlooks for the year ahead.

• Metro Atlanta Sees Drop in December Unemployment Rate

  January 27, 2023

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson said Thursday that Atlanta recorded an unemployment rate of 2.6 percent in December, down one-tenth from a revised 2.7 percent in November. A year ago, the rate was 2.8 percent.

• Tommy Nobis Center Secures New Headquarters

  January 27, 2023

  Tommy Nobis Center, a Marietta-based nonprofit that helps individuals with disabilities enter or return to employment, will be moving its headquarters to a new Cobb County location.

• AG Chris Carr Talks Data Privacy Week, Offers Online Security Tips

  January 27, 2023

  Attorney General Chris Carr is encouraging all Georgians to join in recognizing Data Privacy Week from Jan. 22-28, 2023, by reviewing and adjusting their online privacy settings to protect their personal information.

• SK Battery America to Open U.S. IT Center, Create 200 High-Tech Jobs in Roswell

  January 26, 2023

  Governor Brian Kemp today announced that SK Battery America will open a regional IT hub facility in Roswell, creating 200 high-tech jobs and investing approximately $19 million over the next few years.

• Committee Recommends Stronger Investment in Georgia Music Industry

  January 26, 2023

  The Joint Georgia Music Heritage Study Committee released its final report in December 2022, and after review, Georgia Music Partners is excited to share the study’s findings which include several significant investments designed to support and expand the state’s music industry.

• Cushman & Wakefield Releases 2023 Global Data Center Market Comparison, Atlanta Named a Top Data Center Market

  January 24, 2023

  Cushman & Wakefield a leading global real estate services firm, released its 2023 Global Data Center Market Comparison, the fourth edition of this annual study which identifies and ranks the top data center markets globally and covers key emerging trends in the sector.

• 2023 GMA Visionary Cities Awards Announced for 9 Georgia Cities

  January 24, 2023

  On Jan. 22, during the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Cities United Summit, nine cities from across the Peach State were recognized with the Visionary City Award.

• Draffin Tucker Celebrates 75 Years of Providing Exceptional Accounting Services

  January 23, 2023

  Draffin Tucker, a leading provider of professional accounting services, is proud to celebrate 75 years of client services. Founded in 1948, the firm has built a reputation for delivering quality service and expert advice to a wide range of clients, including small businesses, large corporations, individuals, government entities, nonprofit agencies, and healthcare providers.

• Key Industries Sustain Momentum for State's Economic Development

  January 23, 2023

  Governor Brian Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, has announced that Georgia sustained its momentum through economic development projects in key industries during the first half of Fiscal Year 2023.

• Governor Kemp Sells Georgia to the World at Davos

  January 20, 2023

  Why the heck was Georgia Governor Brian Kemp in Davos Switzerland this week? Some that asked that question genuinely wanted to know the answer. To many in the populist wing of the Republican party, it was more of a statement, heavy with implied derision.

• New Report Announces 2,000+ Georgia Businesses Committed to Operating Generously

  January 19, 2023

  In the midst of economic uncertainty, commitment to generosity matters. More than 2,000 Georgia-based companies have pledged to operate generous businesses – caring for their employees, customers, and surrounding communities.

• USG Announces New Presidents at Clayton State University and Atlanta Metropolitan State College

  January 19, 2023

  The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia today named Dr. Georj Lewis president of Clayton State University and Dr. Ingrid Thompson-Sellers president of Atlanta Metropolitan State College, effective Feb. 1, 2023.

• Hartsfield-Jackson Announces New Routes with Ethiopian Airlines

  January 19, 2023

  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines announced Ethiopian Airlines will expand their North American service with flights into ATL.

• Unemployment Rate Stays the Same as GDOL Welcomes New Commissioner

  January 19, 2023

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's December unemployment rate was 3 percent, unchanged from a revised 3 percent in November. Additionally, job numbers reached another all-time high, increasing by almost 6,000 from November.

• The Midtown Connector Project Included in 2023 Omnibus Spending Bill

  January 18, 2023

  Congress has finalized its annual spending bills and has included $3.2 Million ($3,200,000) for The Midtown Connector Project (MCP) to finalize its 30% design & engineering package in 2023.

• Mayor & Atlanta Housing Seek $40 Million from HUD for $560M Transformation of Bowen Homes

  January 17, 2023

  Atlanta Housing and the City of Atlanta have formally applied to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development seeking $40 million from a Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant to revitalize the former Bowen Homes.

• CEO Survey: A Recession is the Biggest Worry in 2023

  January 17, 2023

  As the new year begins, what will keep the world's executives up at night? CEOs in both the United States and globally say slow growth and a recession are their #1 external worry of 2023.

• ARC Recognizes Six Green Communities for Continued Commitment to Sustainability

  January 13, 2023

  The Atlanta Regional Commission announced that Cherokee, Fulton, and Gwinnett counties and the cities of Chamblee, Decatur, and Suwanee have been certified through the agency’s Green Communities Program for demonstrating leadership in sustainability practices.

• Charlie Harper: Atlanta’s Capitol Isn’t Washington’s

  January 13, 2023

  I made the move to writing columns for print newspapers and online publications 12 years ago this month. The goal, then and now, was to try to bring a view of state government’s operations and workings to Georgia’s voters, citizens, and taxpayers.

• GSEC Expansion Creates Unified Voice for Georgia’s Film Industry

  January 12, 2023

  All major Georgia film studios are now members of Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition (GSEC), firmly establishing the organization as the unified voice of Georgia’s film, television and digital entertainment industry.

• Monica Thornton Joins The Nature Conservancy in Georgia as Executive Director

  January 12, 2023

  Following an extensive search process which attracted dozens of qualified applicants across the country, Monica Thornton has joined The Nature Conservancy in Georgia in the role of Executive Director.

• Atlanta Ranked #1 BEST City For Creatives

  January 11, 2023

  A new report by Workamajig takes a deep dive into the environmental factors that impact creativity in order to find the most creative cities and towns in the U.S. With an outstanding art and music scene, Atlanta has been revealed as the #1 most creative city in the nation.

• Council for Quality Growth Announces 2023 Board of Directors & Officers

  January 11, 2023

  The Council for Quality Growth formally announces its 2023 Board of Directors and Officers. The 2023 Board was ratified at the Council’s 37th Annual Meeting & Legislative Reception, held December 13th.