Georgia Trend Daily – May 15, 2019
May 15, 2019 WSB Radio, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gulch project to ramp up in 2020, be known as Centennial Yards
Scott Trubey reports that California developer CIM Group is putting the finishing touches on its master plan for downtown Atlanta’s Gulch, an up to $5 billion mix of apartments, offices, retail and hotels that the company is calling Centennial Yards. In an exclusive interview Tuesday with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Channel 2 Action News, CIM executive Devon McCorkle unveiled the Centennial Yards branding, a timeline for construction, and some attractions the company is considering for the 40-acre mini-city.
May 15, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite nominations
Karen Kirkpatrick reports, who do you think is the state’s most effective lawyer? Now through Friday, July 12, 2019, you can tell us. Georgia Trend magazine’s annual Legal Elite listing will highlight the state’s most effective lawyers in 16 different practice areas. The list of the state’s Legal Elite, as chosen by their peers, will appear in the December 2019 issue.
May 15, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Two years after breach, Equifax costs top $1.25 billion
Michael E. Kanell reports, two years after hackers breached its data banks, Equifax is still dealing with the fallout as it continues to shore up its systems. In reporting its earnings late last week, the Atlanta-based credit reporting agency said the May 13, 2017 breach has, thus far, led to about $1.25 billion in tech and security investments, according to a statement by Mark Begor, the company’s chief executive officer.
May 15, 2019 Atlanta Business Chronicle
$52 million Midtown hotel eyes 2020 opening
Amy Wenk reports that a $52 million hotel project in Midtown recently hit a construction milestone. A 186-room Hampton Inn & Suites rising at West Peachtree and 15th streets just celebrated its topping out, meaning it’s reached its maximum height.
May 15, 2019 Rome News-Tribune
Demolition of old Kmart site set for August, new retail center to bring 400 jobs
Diane Wagner reports that Ledbetter Properties expects to close July 1 on its purchase of the old Kmart tract on Hicks Drive. Demolition is slated for Aug. 1. “We’re going to raze everything,” Wright Ledbetter told the Rome City Commission just before their final vote to create a tax allocation district on the 19.74-acre site.
May 15, 2019 Marietta Daily Journal
Marietta promoters’ tourism grant asks total $1.4 million
Jon Gargis reports that Marietta City Council members Wednesday are set to hear from nearly 20 tourism groups seeking more than $1.4 million in fiscal 2020 grant funds. The council awards tourism grants annually to organizations that increase tourism and outside spending in the city. The grants are funded by the city’s 3 % tax on vehicle rentals and an 8 % tax on hotel and motel rooms.
May 15, 2019 Brunswick News
Industrial growth drives runway extension plans
Gordon Jackson reports that the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport is preparing for a 2,000-foot runway extension that is driven by the needs of surrounding businesses that support or depend on the airport. The airport’s fixed base operator, David Manning, one of the owners of Glynco Manning Aviation, is already preparing for the impact the runway extension will have on his business.
May 15, 2019 Saporta Report
Atlanta to have ‘pick your own’ food forest with vegetables, nuts, berries
David Pendered reports that a 7.1-acre food forest is slated to open shortly in Atlanta as a place where the public is welcome to come and pick to eat whatever catches their eye. The idea already has spread around the world– a town in England even offers communal food grown in a cemetery.
May 15, 2019 Valdosta Daily News
Taxpayers encouraged to support Georgia’s rural hospitals
Staff reports that for the third year in a row, Georgia taxpayers can earn income tax credits by supporting rural hospitals, including Phoebe Sumter Medical Center and Phoebe Worth Medical Center, through the Georgia HEART (Helping Enhance Access to Rural Treatment) program. “During a time of unprecedented financial challenges for rural hospitals in Georgia, the state’s rural hospital tax credit has been an incredible benefit for Phoebe Worth and our patients,” Phoebe Worth CEO Kim Gilman said.
May 15, 2019 Georgia Health News
Insurance chief indicted over alleged $2 million, five-year fraud scheme
Andy Miller reports that State Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck was charged Tuesday in a 38-count federal indictment on allegations of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering, prosecutors said. The indictment alleges Beck stole more than $2 million from his former employer, Georgia Underwriting Association, through ‘’an elaborate invoicing scheme,’’ BJay Pak, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, said Tuesday at a news conference in Atlanta.
May 15, 2019 Newnan Times-Herald
Production company, actress from local production advocate boycott of Georgia
Winston Skinner reports that a production company that filmed scenes for a major movie in Newnan is joining those who refuse to do further work in the state, and an actress appearing in a Coweta-filmed series is speaking out in favor of the boycott. Several film companies have said they will not film in Georgia after Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 481 on May 7.
May 15, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Brian Kemp decides he’ll stay away from Hollywood — for now
Jim Galloway reports, until late Tuesday, Gov. Brian Kemp was about to go Hollywood. Literally. Next Wednesday was to be “Georgia Day in L.A.,” an annual, state-sponsored event to thank the movie industry for frequenting the state’s “film-friendly locations.”
