September 2025 Features

• APS Graduation Rate Surpasses 90 Percent for First Time, Continuing Steady Climb

  September 30, 2025

  Atlanta Public Schools achieved a 90.5 percent graduation rate for cohort 2025, according to the Georgia Department of Education, which officially released graduation rates for the Class of 2025 today.

• Governor Kemp Recognizes Workforce Development Month; Announces Third Workforce Summit

  September 30, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp has proclaimed September as Workforce Development Month in Georgia, recognizing the critical role of education, training, and talent development in keeping the state competitive and promoting prosperity for hardworking Georgians.

• Georgia Breaks Tourism Records for Third Year in a Row

  September 29, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development in announcing that the state broke tourism records for the third consecutive year and ranked No. 5 in the nation for overnight visitation for the fifth year in a row.

• Atlanta Beltline Celebrates 20 Years of Generational Impact at 2025 State of the Beltline

  September 26, 2025

  On September 24th, the Council for Quality Growth and the Atlanta Beltline co-hosted The 2025 State of the Beltline address and breakfast at The Eastern, a state-of-the-art theater adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail.

• Historic High Levels of Commitment: Why Georgia Executives Are All-In on Generosity

  September 26, 2025

  The 2025 Business Generosity Report marks a watershed moment for Georgia executives. Even years ago, goBeyondProfit was founded to inspire business leaders to imagine the ways they could begin or expand their business generosity – and this year’s report demonstrates unquestionable impact on the state of business in Georgia.

• Georgia Named #1 for Business for 12th Straight Year

  September 25, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, announced that the state has been recognized as the No. 1 state for business by Area Development magazine for the 12th year in a row, marking an unmatched record of success and consistency in economic development.

• Hyundai Announced as a Title Sponsor for the 2025-2026 Georgia History Festival

  September 25, 2025

  The Georgia Historical Society is pleased to announce Hyundai (HMGMA) as a title sponsor for the 2025-2026 Georgia History Festival. The Festival is GHS’s signature K-12 educational program, reaching more than 250,000 students statewide from September through April each year.

• 2nd Annual Georgia Reads Day Raises Awareness of the Importance of Literacy, Highlighting the Georgia Reads Movement

  September 24, 2025

  The Georgia Council on Literacy hosted its second annual Georgia Reads Day at the College Football Hall of Fame. The event featured a Reading Rally with more than 400 Atlanta Public School students to emphasize the importance of improving Georgia’s literacy rates.

• goBeyondProfit Report Reveals Generational Divide Quietly Reshaping the Workplace

  September 23, 2025

  While the cooling job market may keep employees in place, it doesn’t guarantee motivation or loyalty. The 2025 Generosity by the Generations Report uncovers significant differences in what each generation values, offering a roadmap for leaders aiming to boost productivity and build lasting loyalty.

• Gwinnett Chamber’s 19th Annual Strategic Leadership Visit to Montreal Offers Vision for the Future

  September 22, 2025

  The Gwinnett Chamber has returned from its 19th annual Strategic Leadership Visit with actionable insights and renewed energy for the future of Gwinnett County. This year’s destination—Montreal, Canada—provided a dynamic backdrop for exploring best practices in economic development, talent cultivation, infrastructure, and placemaking.

• Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Announces Nearly $1M in Georgia Farm to Food Bank Program Awards

  September 22, 2025

  Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper announced that the Georgia Farm to Food Bank Program, a partnership between the Georgia Department of Agriculture and Feeding Georgia, has awarded $825,000 to eight regional food banks across the state.

• Georgia Businesses Redirecting Millions in Taxes Owed Through Foster Youth Tax Credit

  September 22, 2025

  Georgia businesses and taxpayers are seizing an unprecedented opportunity: redirecting their state income taxes to fund higher education for foster youth. The Fostering Success Act (FSA) today reported a 350 percent increase in youth served this academic year from its launch in 2023.

• Deloitte: Corporate Travel Forecast a Mixed Bag Amid Complex Conditions

  September 22, 2025

  Company travel spend holds steady, but changes are on the horizon: 3 in 4 travel managers surveyed plan to expand budgets this year (similar to 2024), but fewer expect to do so for 2026. However, the share of travel managers expecting budget cuts is up.

• 95 Things Harry Norman, REALTORS Love About Metro Atlanta

  September 19, 2025

  To celebrate 95 years of helping people find homes in Atlanta, Harry Norman, REALTORS decided to take a more personal route. They asked their agents and staff to share what they love most about living and working in Metro Atlanta — the small moments, the hidden spots, and the everyday places that make this city feel like home.

• New Employee Care Playbook Ties Generosity Investments to Increased Loyalty & Productivity

  September 19, 2025

  According to the 2025 Business Generosity Report released by goBeyondProfit and Georgia CEO, over half (52%) of employees rate their current company’s employee care as average or failing. This dissatisfaction is largely due to a gap between what employers offer and what employees consider above-and-beyond care.

• Georgia's Unemployment Rate Holds Steady at 3.4% in August

  September 19, 2025

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia’s August 2025 unemployment rate was 3.4%, unchanged from July. The unemployment rate was nine-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Council for Quality Growth Hosts State of the Beltline Address and Breakfast on September 24th

  September 18, 2025

  On September 24th, the Council for Quality Growth and Atlanta Beltline, Inc. will host the State of the Beltline address and breakfast from 8:00 – 10:30 AM. The 2025 event will host an expected 350 guests at The Eastern, a state-of-the-art theater adjacent to the Atlanta Beltline Eastside Trail.

• Georgia’s Commercial Construction Industry Generates $80.9 Billion in Economic Output and Supports Over Half a Million Jobs

  September 18, 2025

  Georgia’s commercial construction industry plays a commanding role in powering the state’s economy, generating a staggering $80.9 billion in total economic output, according to a comprehensive new economic impact report commissioned by Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia.

• Norfolk Southern Grants $100,000 to Atlanta Community Food Bank

  September 17, 2025

  The Atlanta Community Food Bank, the central hub in the fight against hunger in Atlanta and North Georgia, is proud to announce receipt of a $100,000 grant from Norfolk Southern through its Thriving Communities Grant Program.

• WorkSource Georgia & GeorgiaDOL to Connect Skilled Workers with Cutting-Edge Private Sector Jobs

  September 17, 2025

  The Technical College System of Georgia’s WorkSource Georgia and the Georgia Department of Labor reaffirmed yesterday their shared commitment to strengthening Georgia’s workforce by helping unemployed Georgians transition into high-demand careers across the private sector.

• Georgia Policy Labs Expands Expertise With New Leadership Team

  September 17, 2025

  Under a new strategic plan, the Georgia Policy Labs begins the fall semester with a revamped leadership team that expands its research expertise and enhances its reputation as a leading transdisciplinary research center.

• City of Atlanta Launches ATL BIZ: A New and Improved Platform for Business Services

  September 16, 2025

  The City of Atlanta has announced the launch of ATL BIZ, a modern, user-friendly online platform that will replace ATL CORE as the city’s primary portal for business services. The updated system is designed to streamline processes and better support the needs of Atlanta’s business community.

• Augusta University Celebrates Ribbon-Cutting For New MCG Atlanta Campus

  September 16, 2025

  Since 2015, students from the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University have been conducting a portion of their clinical rotations at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center in Marietta, Georgia. Now, the hospital will be home to nearly 50 third- and fourth-year students for the final two years of their clerkship training at what will be known as MCG Atlanta at Wellstar Health System.

• Report Reveals Challenges in Disaster Response for Georgia Farmers after Hurricane Helene

  September 16, 2025

  A new report released by the Georgia Foundation for Agriculture (GFA) reveals the immense challenges Georgia farmers faced in the first 72 hours following Hurricane Helene, the deadliest U.S. storm since Hurricane Katrina.

• Georgia Economic Development Investments Break New Record

  September 15, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), today announced another year of steady growth for business recruitment and expansions in Fiscal Year 2025, supporting 423 facility expansions and new locations.