Katie Nussbaum reports that the state of Georgia is again on track to outpace the nation for a sixth year in a row in 2019, but the growth will be less robust than it was in 2018, according to the Georgia Economic Outlook forecast from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
Karen Kirkpatrick reports that the Georgia coast is a hot spot for tourists from around the state and the world. But, along with the traditional – and sometimes crowded – beaches, restaurants and shops, there are spots that fly under the radar where peace, quiet, tranquillity – and a little history – can be found during your next seaside vacation.
Kelly Yamanouchi and Eric Stirgus report that nearly two years of planning could not prevent 1.5-hour long wait times in security lines at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport on the day after the Super Bowl in Atlanta. With unprecedented crowds at the world’s busiest airport, security lines Monday stretched through the domestic terminal atrium, down hallways, around baggage claim carousels and extended alongside Delta ticket counters.
Douglas Sams reports, by the end of January, WeWork had agreements in place to lease nearly 560,000 square feet. It wants 20 locations in Atlanta by the end of next year. It’s on pace to lease more than 1 million square feet across the city.
Staff reports that the ports of the Brunswick and Savannah will gain business from Kia Motors newest SUV, the Telluride. Stuart Countess, chief administrative officer and vice president of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, made the announcement at day one of the Georgia Foreign Trace Conference, hosted by the Georgia Ports Authority.
Sam Fahmy reports from the mountains to the coast, the University of Georgia reaches each of the state’s 159 counties through its teaching, research and service. The latest study to quantify the dollar value of these interconnected activities estimates that the university’s economic impact on the state of Georgia is now $6.3 billion per year.
Molly Samuel reports that Georgia Power plans to add more renewable energy to its portfolio and to close a coal plant. On Wednesday, the utility released its 20-year integrated resource plan, where it forecasts future electricity demand, and explains how it intends to supply power to millions of Georgians.
Susan Percy reports, Judge Todd Markel is the newest judge on the Georgia Court of Appeals, appointed by former Gov. Nathan Deal in December. Markel, a former Fulton County Superior Court judge, served as Deal’s executive counsel.
Andy Miller reports that Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has given people in the Georgia insurance exchange more time to visit WellStar Health System doctors and presumably not face higher out-of-pocket costs.
Wes Wolfe reports that State Rep. Jeff Jones — joined by fellow St. Simons Republican Rep. Don Hogan and a bipartisan group of sponsors — made official this year’s effort at getting two coal ash disposal bills through the General Assembly by filing H.B. 93 and H.B. 94 on Jan. 29. They received first reading Wednesday.
Staff reports that the Zell Miller Foundation has announced that former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal will be honored with the Zell Miller Award for Distinguished Public Service at the Zell Miller Foundation’s third annual Legacy Celebration.
Curt Yeomans reports that residents of the 10th Congressional District will have a chance to call U.S. Rep. Jody Hice, R-Ga., and ask him questions on Wednesday. Hice’s office announced on Monday that the congressman will hold a telephone town hall meeting from 6 to 7 p.m. to provide an update on what is happening in Washington D.C. and take questions from constituents.
Staff reports that the founder of a conservative Latino group in Gainesville will be Rep. Doug Collins’ guest at Tuesday night’s State of the Union address in Washington, D.C. Art Gallegos, a native of San Diego, moved to Georgia in 1998. He is the co-founder of LCO, the Latinos Conservative Organization.
Maggie Lee reports that the tale of town versus country is an old one. In metro Atlanta, there’s no shortage of doctors, residents have several companies offering them broadband, plus lots of places to work and shop. At least compared to their country cousins. Now, of course the country has its own advantages: less traffic, abundant land, cheaper housing.
Tamar Hallerman reports that everything on Capitol Hill is political, down to the guests local members of Congress are bringing to the State of the Union on Tuesday. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms will be U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s plus-one to President Donald Trump’s second State of the Union address. Also accompanying Georgia lawmakers in the House chamber is a conservative Latino activist from Gainesville, an injured Green Beret who rose through the ranks at Hunter Army Airfield and the Dunwoody-based parents of a recent gun violence victim.
Meredith Leapley, a 2007 Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 honoree, is celebrating 26 years as founder and CEO of Leapley Construction Group. A Maryland native, Leapley founded her company in 1999 to be a premier commercial interior general contractor. Meredith…
John Ahmann, a 2001 Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 honoree, currently serves as CEO of Westside Future Fund. At the time of his 40 Under 40 honor, he was Senior Vice President for Community Development at the Georgia Chamber of…
