Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 9, 2019
Dec. 9, 2019 Georgia.gov
November Tax Revenues Down 1.2%
Staff reports that State of Georgia’s net tax collections in November totaled almost $1.81 billion for a decrease of $22.4 million, or -1.2 percent, compared to Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 when net tax collections totaled $1.83 billion. Year-to-date, net tax revenue collections totaled $9.62 billion for a decrease of roughly $33.6 million, or -0.3 percent, compared to FY 2019.
Dec. 9, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
New rural zones named
Mary Ann DeMuth reports that the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) recently designated seven cities as Rural Zones. Adel, Douglas, Eatonton, Forsyth, Rossville, Villa Rica and Washington will be eligible to receive tax credits for individuals who create jobs and make qualifying investments in the cities’ historic downtown areas. The Rural Zone designation lasts for five years and projects eligible for tax credits in the seven cities begin Jan. 1, 2020.
Dec. 9, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Coke test-runs new Dasani sustainability effort in Atlanta
Courtney Kueppers reports that Atlanta-based Coca-Cola has said in recent years that it will focus on sustainability efforts, with the ultimate goal being to recycle a bottle or can for every one sold by 2030. To help meet that goal, the company kicked off a new effort in its hometown.
Dec. 9, 2019 Atlanta Business Chronicle
New Truist CEO: Atlanta is bank’s most important market
Maria Saporta reports that Atlanta did not land the headquarters of the newly-formed Truist, it will be the bank’s most important market in its footprint. In terms of deposits, Truist has has $55.8 billion in deposits in metro Atlanta compared to $33.1 billion in Washington, D.C.; $26 billion in Winston-Salem; $7.3 billion in Miami; and $6.2 billion in Charlotte – the corporate headquarters of the new bank.
Dec. 9, 2019 Georgia.org
Thirty-six Georgia companies named GLOBE Award winners for entering new international markets
Staff reports that on Friday, the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) International Trade division and GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson joined Governor Brian P. Kemp to announce the winners of Georgia’s sixth annual GLOBE Awards at an event at the Capitol. This state-led awards program highlights companies that entered into a new international market in the previous year.
Dec. 9, 2019 Saporta Report
Plant Vogtle: Age discrimination a new wrinkle in Westinghouse bankruptcy
David Pendered reports that Timothy Ellis claims he was fired in a clear case of age discrimination. Otherwise, Ellis is just one of many caught in the grinder as Westinghouse Electric Co. declared bankruptcy and lost its job building Plant Vogtle, the nuclear facility near Augusta.
Dec. 9, 2019 Cartersville Daily-Tribune
voestalpine seeking bonds for $58.5M expansion
James Swift reports that Austrian manufacturer voestalpine AG is apparently looking to increase its footprint in Bartow County – and the international steel company is hoping the Bartow-Cartersville Joint Development Authority (JDA) can assist it with financing a proposed $58.5 million expansion project.
Dec. 9, 2019 Brunswick News
Whale bounty on hand as surveys begin
Wes Wolfe reports that entering this week, scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced people spotted at least five female North Atlantic right whales so far, in the traditional calving waters off the South Atlantic states, including Harmonia, which last gave birth in 2016 and was reported off Mayport, Fla., in November.
Dec. 9, 2019 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Adventurous gift giving
Mary Ann DeMuth reports, exotic destinations throughout the world. Luxury accommodations that include gourmet meals prepared by five-star chefs. Experienced, knowledgeable and attentive guides. If these sound like they’d be a good fit for a family member’s or friend’s bucket list, a travel experience with Aggressor Adventures could be the perfect holiday gift.
Dec. 9, 2019 Albany Herald
Kemp welcomes firearms manufacturer to Bainbridge
Staff reports that Gov. Brian Kemp traveled to Bainbridge to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Taurus USA’s 200,000-square-foot manufacturing center and corporate headquarters last week, officially welcoming this leading firearms manufacturer to the Georgia Made family.
Dec. 9, 2019 Newnan Times-Herald
County approves 5G ordinance
Sarah Fay Campbell reports that Coweta County hasn’t gotten any requests from companies that want to install “5G” wireless antennas, but when those requests come, the county will be ready. A new ordinance regulating “small wireless facilities and antennas” was approved Thursday night by the Coweta County Board of Commissioners.
Dec. 9, 2019 WABE 90.1
Sports Gambling In Georgia? Supporters Call It A Good Bet For Boosting Revenue
Emil Moffat reports that Georgia could have the potential to reap financial rewards if it were to legalize sports gambling. Some of Atlanta’s professional sports teams are welcoming the idea. But efforts to legalize any type of gambling have traditionally been met with criticism from those who view it as damaging to a community.
Dec. 9, 2019 Georgia Recorder
Lawmakers might remove local constraints on home construction
Stanley Dunlap reports that a state House committee supports taking away much of the discretion local officials have to prohibit inexpensive materials in new home construction. The workforce housing committee’s final report essentially revives a controversial bill that earlier this year pitted many cities and county governments against home builders, realtors and the construction industry.
Dec. 9, 2019 The Center Square
Georgia’s first black Supreme Court justice to retire early, setting up 2022 election
Kim Jarrett reports that the Georgia Supreme Court’s first African American justice is retiring 10 months before his current term ends. Justice Robert Benham said in a statement he will retire from the court on March 1. He had announced in April he would not seek reelection once his current term ended at the end of 2020.
Dec. 9, 2019 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Another Handel GOP rival may drop out of 6th District race
Greg Bluestein reports that Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene appears on the verge of dropping out of the race for Georgia’s 6th Congressional District – and competing instead for the soon-to-be-vacated seat two districts over. The political newcomer told grassroots activists at a GOP breakfast over the weekend that her “phone started ringing off the hook” after U.S. Rep. Tom Graves abruptly announced last week that he wouldn’t stand for another term.
