Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 6, 2020
Feb. 6, 2020 Saporta Report
RCE Greater Atlanta brings home two international awards in sustainability
David Pendered reports that a regional sustainability network led by Emory University, Georgia Tech and Spelman College has brought home two awards in an international competition that recognizes innovative programs in education on sustainable development. The awards are fairly heady recognitions of a program that’s in just its third year.
Feb. 6, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Business Casual: SNAP Again?
Susan Percy writes, one surefire and apparently irresistible way for Washington officials to flex their muscles is to go after the nation’s food stamp program. Officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the program had its beginnings back in 1939 to reduce poverty and food insecurity.
Feb. 6, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Slow carpet sales leads to Dalton plant closing
Andy Peters reports that Shaw Industries will close a Dalton factory this spring, as consumers continue to shift away from residential carpet to hardwood and tile flooring. Shaw said 275 workers will lose their jobs at the plant — which will close in May — though the workers will be offered positions at other company facilities.
Feb. 6, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
IBM spinoff to open first metro Atlanta office, add 300 jobs
Douglas Sams reports that a software company with strong ties to IBM is opening its first metro Atlanta office in Dunwoody, adding 300 jobs. Acoustic, formerly known as IBM’s Watson Marketing, an independent marketing cloud platform, will put the new regional office at the Terraces project, a pair of 11-story towers located in Dunwoody near Perimeter Mall.
Feb. 6, 2020 All On Georgia
Southern Company Announces $50 million Initiative for Students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Staff reports that Southern Company and its subsidiaries announced a $50 million multi-year initiative to provide students attending historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with scholarships, internships, leadership development, and access to technology and innovation to support career readiness.
Feb. 6, 2020 GlobalAtlanta.com
With U.S. Export Award, Momentum Continues for Manufacturing Automation Firm
Trevor Williams reports, Kennesaw’s Delta Sigma Co., which designs and builds systems to automate manufacturing and assembly tasks, has been honored by the U.S. Commercial Service for a more than five-year export journey that has delivered sales in 15 countries. The Export Achievement Award was presented to the nearly 30-year-old company by Joseph Semsar, acting under secretary for the U.S. Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration.
Feb. 6, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Carrying hemp? You might need to carry a license for that
Maggie Lee reports, after Georgia’s 2019 legalization of hemp, the low-THC, no-high cousin of marijuana, some prosecutors stopped pursuing small illegal weed cases because they can’t easily tell the difference between the two. In response, lawmakers in the Georgia House are mulling a requirement that everybody who’s legally carrying a green, leafy substance in the cannabis family better be able to show a license proving they’re in the hemp business.
Feb. 6, 2020 WABE 90.1
Bill Would Let Adoption Agencies Deny Placements Based On Religious Beliefs
Emil Moffat reports that a Georgia state senator has introduced legislation that he says will protect faith-based adoption agencies. The bill would allow agencies to refuse to place children in homes whose religious beliefs or lifestyles conflict with those of the agencies.
Feb. 6, 2020 Capitol-Beat
Bill filed to toughen immigration enforcement in Georgia
Beau Evans reports that legislation taking aim at so-called “sanctuary cities” in Georgia was filed in the 2020 legislative session Wednesday. Sponsored by Rep. Philip Singleton, R-Sharpsburg, House Bill 915 would force city and county law enforcement agencies to hand over detained undocumented persons to federal immigration authorities.
Feb. 6, 2020 GPB
State Lawmakers To Take More Time Off To Discuss Budget Issues
Donna Lowry and Rahul Bali report that Georgia lawmakers have been in session for only 12 days, but they’re taking another break to examine the budget. Last month, legislators spent four days going through Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed budget cuts.
Feb. 6, 2020 The Center Square
Georgia lawmakers hear more testimony as film tax credit remains under microscope
Nyamekye Daniel reports that film industry stakeholders spoke to Georgia lawmakers Wednesday about the benefits of the state’s Film Tax Credit during the second day of meetings examining the tax incentives. The incentives recently came under fire after state auditors found loopholes in the process and an overestimation of their impact.
Feb. 6, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia 14th: Bill Hembree joins US House race
Greg Bluestein reports that Republican Bill Hembree joined the growing field competing for an open U.S. House seat on Thursday with hopes that his background in the Legislature and support for President Donald Trump helps him emerge from a crowded pack. The former state legislator is one of a half-dozen Republicans competing to succeed U.S. Rep. Tom Graves in one of the most conservative House districts in the nation.
