Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 23, 2020
Jan. 23, 2020 Georgia.gov
Enchem to Build Two Facilities in Jackson County, Create 300 Jobs
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced Korean manufacturer Enchem Ltd. will build two new manufacturing plants in Jackson County, Georgia, creating more than 300 jobs and investing $61.35 million in the project.
Jan. 23, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Economy: Slower Growth
Jeffrey Humphreys reports that it’s a new decade, and 2020 calls for economic expansion in Georgia to continue, but growth in state GDP and employment will decelerate significantly. Six forces will keep Georgia’s economy growing in 2020.
Jan. 23, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta home prices up 6.7% for year
Michael E. Kanell reports that home prices in metro Atlanta were higher in 2019 than the year before, but that didn’t deter buyers in the month of December. Just the opposite: A lot of people decided to ring in the new year with new digs.
Jan. 23, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
Coca-Cola exec: Company to keep plastic bottles; consumers like them
Jessica Saunders reports that Coca-Cola (NYSE: KO) is going to keep on producing beverages in plastic bottles. Customers like the bottles because they reseal and are lightweight, The Coca-Cola Co.’s head of sustainability Bea Perez told the BBC at the World Economic Forum in Davos.
Jan. 23, 2020 Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern’s online MBA recognized as best in Georgia
Staff reports that Georgia Southern University has the No. 1 online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program in Georgia for 2020 according to MBACompass.com with almost 20% of its graduates holding executive-level positions. The MBA in the Parker College of Business is a fully-online graduate program that offers working professionals the opportunity to advance their careers with the skills needed to hold executive-level positions in a variety of industries.
Jan. 23, 2020 Georgia.org
Georgia Earns Top Spot for Regional Workforce Development
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp announced yesterday Georgia earned the top ranking for workforce development in the South Atlantic Region, according to Site Selection Magazine’s 2020 Workforce Development Rankings. “As I’ve said in communities throughout the Peach State, the hardworking Georgians who make up our workforce are the foundation of our competitive edge in attracting business – both in the Southeast and across the country,” said Governor Kemp.
Jan. 23, 2020 Gwinnett Daily Post
German machine and automation builder picks Suwanee for U.S. headquarters
Curt Yeomans reports that German company that builds custom machines and automation systems will make its American home in Gwinnett County, officials from Partnership Gwinnett announced Tuesday. MueKo Machinery joined the local economic development organization to announce its decision to put its U.S. headquarters on Tench Road in Suwanee.
Jan. 23, 2020 Macon Telegraph
‘Nobody’s ever cared about Juliette.’ Fight for clean water rages on in this Georgia town
Max Blau reports that the Scherer Power Plant brought jobs and prosperity to small Juliette in Middle Georgia. Now, nearby residents fear it has brought something else – and they say it’s in their drinking water.
Jan. 23, 2020 11 Alive
Atlanta-area Congress hopeful seeks ruling to use campaign funds for health insurance
Jonathan Raymond reports that an Atlanta-area congressional candidate is making a novel argument to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in an effort to better democratize elections: That allowing candidates to use campaign funds to pay for health insurance will make it easier for people from marginalized communities to run for office.
Jan. 23, 2020 Rome News-Tribune
Carollton State Rep announces he’s running for 14th District seat
John Bailey reports that as of Wednesday, six Republicans have announced they’re running for the 14th District Congress. State Rep. Kevin Cooke, who is also the assistant athletic director at Shorter University, made his announcement Wednesday morning via his campaign website.
Jan. 23, 2020 Brunswick News
Agencies juggle environmental, ag priorities in shrinking budget
Wes Wolfe reports that when localities and groups look to work with the state on historic preservation projects, they likely won’t be going to the state Department of Natural Resources anymore. Under the governor’s proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget, DNR’s Historic Preservation Division is moseying on over to a new home in the state Department of Community Affairs.
Jan. 23, 2020 GPB
UGA’s Agricultural Forecast For 2020 Says Trade Conflict Hurts Farmers
Sarah Rose reports that economic growth is slowing down because of worries about international trade, according to the University of Georgia College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences 2020 Georgia Agricultural Forecast released Wednesday. Trade disputes have created a lack of stability in the agriculture industry, said UGA Professor Adam Rabinowitz, who assisted with the forecast.
Jan. 23, 20202 The Center Square
Georgia sees new push for higher tobacco tax, vaping regulations
Nyamekye Daniel reports that a lawmaker and advocates are pushing for legislation in Georgia they say will protect teens from nicotine products. Sen. Renee Unterman, R–Buford, proposed a bill that would add restrictions on the use, sale and marketing of vaping products.
Jan. 23, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Georgia park projects axed as tax on outdoor gear comes up short
Jill Nolin reports that funding set aside for conservation projects across the state evaporated unexpectedly after state budget writers dramatically reduced their revenue projection constitutionally set aside for the program. An oversight board approved a tentative list of projects earlier this month that divvied up the nearly $33.4 million thought to be available next year for the grants, signing off on funding for trails, land buys, forest restoration initiatives and other conservation projects.
Jan. 23, 2020 All on Georgia
“Death with Dignity Act” Filed in Georgia Legislature
Jessica Szilagyi reports that a bill that would allow a terminally ill patient to decide when to end their life has been filed in the Georgia State Senate. Senate Bill 291 was filed by two state senators – Steve Henson and Nan Orrock – and has been assigned to the Senate Health & Human Services committee.
Jan. 23, 2020 Capitol Beat
Lawmakers question state budget cuts to criminal justice, public safety
Beau Evans reports that Georgia lawmakers on both sides of the aisle showed hesitation Wednesday to sign off on budget cuts Gov. Brian Kemp has proposed for criminal justice and public safety agencies through July 2021. The state’s prisons, courts, police and public-defender agencies would see reductions of roughly $80 million to $100 million this fiscal year, according to Kemp’s proposed budget.
Jan. 23, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ahead of likely Senate run, Warnock must decide whether to stay in pulpit
Greg Bluestein reports that the Rev. Raphael Warnock has a pressing question to answer as he prepares a run for the U.S. Senate: Whether to give up the pulpit of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, or risk inviting more scrutiny – from the IRS as well as his rivals – of the legendary congregation.
