Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 27, 2020

Jan. 27, 2020 Georgia.org

Novalis Innovative Flooring Announces First US Production Facility, Creates 120 Jobs in Dalton

Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Novalis Innovative Flooring will build its first U.S. production facility in Whitfield County. Novalis is investing $30 million dollars in the project and expects to create at least 120 new jobs.

Jan. 27, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Federal funding for rural broadband

Mary Ann DeMuth reports, recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced its initial estimates of the number of homes and businesses in each state that could be helped by the proposed $20.4 billion Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. The fund targets areas that lack access to high-speed internet – also called broadband — which is defined as a minimum of 25 megabits per second (Mbps) download speed and 3 Mbps upload speed.

Jan. 27, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta risks falling behind rivals in luring data centers

Andy Peters reports, in a heavily wooded area of Douglas County, in the shadow of Six Flags’ roller coasters, two of the largest data centers in the state are rising from the ground. Switch is building a server farm surrounded by high concrete walls and protected by armed security guards.

Jan. 27, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle

Project that helped spark West Midtown development boom sells for nearly $80 million

Douglas Sams reports that Charlotte, N.C. real estate investment firm Asana Partners has paid almost $80 million for BrickWorks, a forerunner of the revitalization wave sweeping across West Midtown. The deal was announced by representatives of Midtown West Associates, a venture affiliated with longtime Atlanta real estate owners and developers Richard Martin and George Rohrig.

Jan. 27, 2020 GlobalAtlanta.com

Kemp Visits Porsche Electric Vehicle Plant on Germany Trip

Trevor Williams reports, when Gov. Brian Kemp visited Porsche’s new electric vehicle plant in Stuttgart, the sports car maker made a thoughtful choice for his tour guide. The governor walked the production line of the brand new Taycan Turbo all-electric sports car with Detlev von Platen, an executive who led Porsche Cars North America’s Atlanta operation for seven years.

Jan. 27, 2020 Savannah Morning News

Group brings new focus to River Street

Katie Nussbaum reports, from Rousakis Riverfront Plaza to watching massive cargo ships glide up the Savannah River, River Street offers one of the most unique experiences in the city and one local group is working to once again make the area the must-see destination for locals and visitors alike. Ansley Williams, president, Savannah’s Waterfront, formerly the Savannah Waterfront Association, said he is ready to make River Street and the surrounding area shine again.

Jan. 27, 2020 Georgia Health News

Big merger changes Medicaid insurance equation in Georgia

Andy Miller reports that the merger of insurers Centene and WellCare will create a company with a dominant position in Georgia’s managed care market for Medicaid. The $17 billion deal, which closed Thursday, will give the resulting entity roughly two-thirds of the Medicaid HMO business in the state.

Jan. 27, 2020 GPB

Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry Dropping Senate Bid To Run For DeKalb Commission

Stephen Fowler reports that Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry is ending his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate to face David Perdue, announcing instead he will run for a vacant seat on the DeKalb County Commission. Terry, who hoped his status as the progressive millennial mayor of the tiny town in DeKalb would propel him ahead of three Democratic rivals, said in an interview Sunday he would be stepping down as mayor in March to run for the DeKalb Super District 6 seat.

Jan. 27, 2020 Gainesville Times

Georgia lawmakers are taking a long look at film tax credit. This is why it matters in Hall

Jeff Gill reports that from “Baby Driver” to Netflix’s “Ozark,” Hall County has been an occasional second home for Hollywood. And it’s a home that Stacey Dickson, president of the Lake Lanier Convention & Visitors Bureau, would like to see maintained. “If Georgia were to cancel the film tax credit, we would very likely see projects like this go elsewhere to film,” she said.

Jan. 27, 2020 Capitol Beat

College athletes in Georgia could get paid under House bills

Beau Evans reports student athletes in Georgia could see their pockets a little more packed if a pair of bills filed by state House Democratic lawmakers clear the 2020 legislative session. One bill would allow college athletes to be paid for having their image or name used in advertisements.

Jan. 27, 2020 Georgia Recorder

Senate finance chairman says he doesn’t ‘see the math’ for tax cut

Jill Nolin reports that a key lawmaker has cast further doubt on the prospects of another Georgia income tax cut in a year when serious cuts to mental health, criminal justice and other state services are being considered. “I don’t see the math there right now without some changes to the budget to do it,” state Sen. Chuck Hufstetler, a Rome Republican who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, told a crowd gathered Friday at the Georgia Freight Depot for Georgia Budget and Policy Institute conference.

Jan. 27, 2020 All On Georgia

New State Board of Education chair and vice chair named

Staff reports that the State Board of Education last month selected a new slate of officers. Scott Sweeney (6th Congressional District) will serve as chair and Jason Downey (8th Congressional District) will serve as vice chair. “I look forward to working with Scott and Jason to pursue continued improvements in Georgia’s K-12 public schools and expanded opportunities for our students,” State School Superintendent Richard Woods said.

Jan. 27, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kemp’s budget spurs many questions about its impact on rural Georgia

James Salzer reports that during three days of Capitol budget hearings last week, the same question kept coming up: How are Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed budget cuts going to affect rural Georgia? How will they affect meat inspections and marketing of farm products at a time when Hurricane Michael and trade wars have hurt the state’s top industry, agriculture?