Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 11, 2020
Feb. 11, 2020 Georgia.org
Gov. Kemp: 2019 Another Record Year for Georgia Exports
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp announced on Feb. 10 that Georgia has set another record, this time in exports and global trade, as the state’s diverse industry base and global connectivity continue to drive competitiveness. In 2019, the State of Georgia tallied $41.2 billion in exports and $143.3 billion in overall international trade.
Feb. 11, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
A busy – and historic – weekend coming up in Savannah
Mary Ann DeMuth reports that next weekend will be a busy one for Savannah. Between the 2020 Irish Festival, the Savannah Book Festival and the Georgia Historical Society’s (GHS) Trustees Gala, plenty of activities are in store. During the Book Festival, Leopold’s Ice Cream will be celebrated via a newly released book chronicling the history and lives of the Leopold brothers and their families in Savannah. https://georgiatrendblog.com/a-busy-and-historic-weekend-coming-up-in-savannah/
Feb. 11, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hartsfield-Jackson generates billions in economic activity in region
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that a new report released by the world’s busiest airport touted an $82 billion economic impact for Hartsfield-Jackson International and said more than 63,000 people have jobs at the facility. Those workers include airport employees, concessions workers, airline customer service agents, flight attendants and pilots, contractors and others based at the airport — making it the largest job center in the state, according to the report.
Feb. 11, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
UPS, pilots union agree on ‘tentative two-year contract extension’
Sarah Shadburne reports that the United Parcel Service Inc. (NYSE: UPS) and the Independent Pilot’s Association have reached a tentative agreement on a two-year contract extension. The union, which is based in Louisville, Ky., represents the company’s 2,959 flight crew members, and the tentative agreement focuses on wage and retirement increases.
Feb. 11, 2020 Brunswick News
Twin Pines withdraws mining proposal
Gordon Jackson reports that Twin Pines Minerals has withdrawn its application to mine heavy minerals on 2,400 acres of land near the southern border of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The company filed notice with the Army Corps of Engineers, saying it will reduce the size of the permit area before resubmitting its application.
Feb. 11, 2020 Savannah Morning News
Trump administration request $93.6M for Savannah harbor deepening
Katie Nussbaum reports that the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project is set to remain on track after the Trump Administration requested $93.6 million to fully fund the project in the Fiscal Year 2021 budget, which was released Monday, Feb. 10. This is a fourth year in a row SHEP will receive full federal funding from the Trump administration, pending Congressional passage of the annual appropriations bill.
Feb. 11, 2020 Macon Telegraph
Geico’s office in Macon wants to hire 500 people in 2020. Here’s how to apply.
Jenna Eason reports that Geico’s regional office in Macon is looking to hire 500 employees in 2020. The part-time and full-time positions are in claims, salvage, emergency roadside service, customer service and sales, according to a news release. The jobs are posted on Geico’s Macon job site.
Feb. 11, 2020 Newnan Times-Herald
New manufacturer expected to bring 111 jobs
Kandice Bell reports that a manufacturer is considering making Coweta County home, which would bring approximately 111 jobs to the county. Trae Westmoreland, president of the Coweta County Development Authority, made the announcement at the authority’s regular meeting Thursday, Feb. 6.
Feb. 11, 2020 Augusta Chronicle
Depot developer terminates contract
Damon Cline reports that the Riverfront at the Depot is officially dead. Augusta’s Downtown Development Authority on Monday voted to terminate its contract with the Alabama-based developers who proposed turning the mostly vacant city-owned property at Sixth and Reynolds streets into a $94 million mixed-use riverfront complex.
Feb. 11, 2020 Savannah Morning News
Study: SCAD contributes $577M to local economy in FY19
Katie Nussbaum reports that the Savannah College of Art and Design contributed $577 million in economic impact in the local economy during the fiscal year 2019 and supported 2,852 full- and part-time jobs, according to a recent study. The study, which was conducted on behalf of the university by Tripp Umbach, a Pittsburgh-based consulting firm, showed an increase of $139 million or nearly 32% compared to FY17.
Feb. 11, 2020 Georgia Health News
PBMs: Power brokers in the prescription drug world
Andy Miller reports that a recent legislative hearing in Atlanta featured a stream of PBM critics. South Georgia pharmacist Nikki Bryant said PBMs are putting her out of business. Cancer patient Katie Groover said they have “exhausting” bureaucratic processes that “take away patient choice.’’
Feb. 11, 2020 Capitol Beat
Lieutenant governor’s technology task force begins work
Dave Williams reports that Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan set an ambitious agenda Monday for a high-profile group of political, business and academic leaders he is looking to for ideas on how to make Georgia the technology capital of the East Coast. The Georgia Innovates Task Force, co-chaired by former U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson and Georgia Tech President Emeritus G.P. “Bud” Peterson, held its kickoff meeting to hear Duncan’s charge to the group and dole out assignments for the work ahead.
Feb. 11, 2020 All On Georgia
Donations from Private Prison Industry Still Influential in Georgia
Jessica Szilagyi reports that information from the Georgia Government Transparency and Campaign Finance Commission shows that the nation’s two largest private prison companies donated more than $250,000 to elected officials over the last three years. AllOnGeorgia routinely examines the influence private prison companies have on Georgia’s legislators.
Feb. 11, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Same sex adoptions debate returns to Georgia Legislature
Stanley Dunlap reports that an Open Door Adoption Agency can’t contract with the state of Georgia because it limits placing children to the families of Christians, just as it has since opening in 1986. The Thomasville adoption agency serves the whole state and is one of the religious-based child-placement nonprofits operating in Georgia that could start receiving state money if a newly introduced bill is passed.
Feb. 11, 2020 The Center Square
Bill to abolish county police violates Georgia home-rule law, local officials say
Nyamekye Daniel reports that members of the Georgia Legislature have sponsored a bill that some say oversteps the authority of local governments to set their own laws. Senate Bill 317 sets in motion the process to abolish county police departments.
Feb. 11, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lawmaker spotlights adoptable children on Georgia House floor
Amanda C. Coyne reports that a freshman lawmaker has been working to include adoptable children in the Georgia House’s daily rituals. In between the visiting chaplains, doctors of the day and championship sports teams, state Rep. Shelly Hutchinson, D-Snellville, has introduced Georgia children ready for adoption almost every legislative day this session.
