Georgia Trend Daily – May 7, 2019

May 7, 2019 Georgia.gov

April Net Tax Revenues Up 24.2%

Staff reports that Georgia’s April net tax collections totaled $2.87 billion for an increase of $559.7 million, or 24.2 percent, compared to April 2018 when net tax collections totaled $2.31 billion. Year-to-date, net tax collections totaled $19.91 billion for an increase of almost $939.7 million, or 5 percent, compared to the previous fiscal year when net tax revenues totaled $18.97 billion.

May 7, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Legal Bootlegging

Karen Kirkpatrick reports, you might say that the manufacture of distilled spirits has come full circle in the Peach State. Before the days of revenuers chasing moonshiners out of the hills of North Georgia, the production of liquor was a well-respected endeavour. During the late 18th century, alcohol production was a way for small farmers to squeeze every dime out of their farms, using the remnants of corn, apples and peaches left behind after harvest.

May 7, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dreams of redevelopment as CSX closes Atlanta’s Hulsey Yard

Scott Trubey and David Wickert report that railroad giant CSX is shifting its freight operations out of a sprawling depot known as Hulsey Yard, a swath of prime land long seen as critical to the future of the Atlanta Beltline. Some observers suspect the move is a precursor by CSX to putting up for sale the 70-acre site along DeKalb Avenue east of downtown.

May 7, 2019 Atlanta Business Chronicle

Broadrange Logistics expands into 408,000 square feet in South Fulton

Douglas Sams reports that Atlanta-based Broadrange Logistics is expanding in south Fulton County. The rapidly growing third-party logistics company has agreed to lease 408,000 square feet at an industrial building at 105 Kendall Park Lane. Some observers suspect the move is a precursor by CSX to putting up for sale the 70-acre site along DeKalb Avenue east of downtown.

May 7, 2019 Georgia.org

Georgia’s tourism industry breaks economic impact record

Staff reports that Georgia Tourism, a division of The Georgia Department of Economic Development, today announced that the state’s tourism industry generated a record-breaking $66.2 billion in business sales impact in 2018, up 4.7 percent, according to the U.S. Travel Association and Tourism Economics.

May 7, 2019 Mercer University

Mercer Study Builds Case for Ocmulgee Mounds as First National Park and Preserve in Eastern U.S.

Kyle Sears reports that a new Mercer University study reveals the unique national significance of an undeveloped Georgia river corridor – just weeks after Congress approved expanding a national historical park at its heart. In March, Congress authorized eventually quadrupling the size of Macon’s Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, formerly a national monument. The 702-acre park beside the Ocmulgee River contains the largest Mississippian mound complex in southeastern North America.

May 7, 2019 WABE 90.1

Why Atlanta’s A Key Part of Tech Company Pandora’s Expansion

Candace Wheeler reports that Oakland-based music streaming platform Pandora has had an office in Atlanta’s Atlantic Station for the past 10 years, and, recently, the company announced plans to expand to another building in Midtown. While many still point to locales like Silicon Valley for examples of a thriving tech culture, Shalya Fortè, Pandora’s director of sales for the southeast, said Atlanta has a major role in the industry.

May 7, 2019 Brunswick News

Brunswick Opportunity for Business

Gordon Jackson reports that the federal designation of a large area of Brunswick as a qualified Opportunity Zone is intended to spur economic development in the city by offering preferential tax treatment incentives. Lawyers, accountants and officials from local economic development authorities explained the new Opportunity Brunswick program during a presentation Monday at College of Coastal Georgia.

May 7, 2019 Georgia Health News

6 firms in running for Georgia health care waiver contract

Andy Miller reports that state officials are contacting six consulting firms to solicit proposals for a $2.6 million contract to develop health care waivers for Medicaid and the private insurance market in Georgia. This work is part of recently passed legislation that was pushed by Gov. Brian Kemp.

May 7, 2019 Albany Herald

Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students provides opportunities

Jennifer Parks reports that the Dougherty County Commission received an update on the Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students on Monday during the board’s first meeting in three weeks. The program, designed to address the need for increased civic involvement and awareness among Georgia’s youths, has included interactions with those in the court system and public safety agencies.

May 7, 2019 Augusta Chronicle

France to honor former Grovetown mayor for D-Day involvement

Erica Wells reports that Dennis Trudeau will return to the place that he once prayed he would leave. He will come back, however, as a hero. The former Grovetown mayor is one of 10 veterans to be honored for their role in D-Day by the French government in time for the 75th anniversary of the massive Allied forces invasion.

May 7, 2019 Clayton News-Daily

Georgia gas prices hold steady at the pump this week, but expected to rise

Staff reports that Georgia gas prices are holding steady compared to a week ago, however, with holiday weekends this summer, drivers can expect to see prices increase. Drivers in the state continue to pay an average of $2.72 per gallon for regular unleaded which is 18 cents less than the national average.

May 7, 2019 Daily Report

National Election Experts call on Ga. Supreme Court to Revive Contest of Lt. Governor Race

R. Robin McDonald reports that seven national election security experts are urging Georgia’s Supreme Court to overturn a trial judge’s dismissal of a lawsuit challenging Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan’s election. The experts are members of the Election Defense Coalition, a nonprofit national network that includes academics, cybersecurity professionals and policymakers that presses for adequate cybersecurity protections for the country’s election infrastructure.

May 7, 2019 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Four things to know about Georgia’s ‘heartbeat’ abortion law

Nick Wooten reports that Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to sign Georgia’s anti-abortion “heartbeat” bill Tuesday morning following the lead of several other states and setting up a legal battle that could land in the U.S. Supreme Court. Here’s what you need to know about the law.

May 7, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

‘We warned you.’ Abortion rights groups vow payback as Kemp preps to sign ‘heartbeat’ bill

Greg Bluestein reports that prominent abortion rights groups launched a campaign Tuesday targeting Republican supporters of the “heartbeat” measure hours before Gov. Brian Kemp was set to sign the new restrictions into law. The “#ReclaimGeorgia” campaign by NARAL Pro-Choice Georgia and Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates aims to spend six figures to mobilize activists and “put unprecedented pressure” on supporters of the measure ahead of next year’s election.