Georgia Trend Daily – April 1, 2020
April 1, 2020 The Center Square
Georgia announces plan to greatly increase COVID-19 testing
Jason Schaumburg reports that Gov. Brian Kemp announced Tuesday a plan that, when implemented, will allow Georgia to process 3,000 COVID-19 tests a day. The plan involves partnering accredited clinical labs with the University System of Georgia, the Georgia Public Health Laboratory and Emory University.
April 1, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
2020 Economic Yearbook
Staff reports, as the home of a powerful transportation and logistics network that includes the busiest airport in the world, booming deepwater ports and an interstate system to connect them to each other and the rest of the country, Georgia is well-positioned to foster global business. In fact, it’s an area where the state excels.
April 1, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Delta takes temperatures of employees at headquarters
Kelly Yamanouchi reports that Delta Air Lines employees reporting to work at the company’s Atlanta headquarters are being screened by having their temperature taken. The screenings are being conducted on employees and pre-authorized visitors before they enter common work spaces as part of enhanced procedures for worker safety, according to Delta.
April 1, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
Atlanta recreational boat maker suspends manufacturing due to COVID-19
David Allison reports that Atlanta-based powerboat maker Marine Products Corp. has temporarily suspended manufacturing operations at its Georgia plant due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The company, which is publicly owned (NYSE: MPX) but majority controlled by the billionaire brothers Randall and Gary Rollins, produces recreational pleasure boats under the Chaparral, Robalo and Vortex brand names at a plant in Nashville, Ga.
April 1, 2020 Cartersville Daily-Tribune News
Toyo suspends operations at Bartow plant
James Swift reports that representatives from Toyo Tire Holdings of Americas, Inc. announced that the local facility in White will suspend operations until April 19, 2020, “due to the global impact of COVID-19 on markets. Phase-down of production has already begun and will be completed over the next few days,” the press release issued Monday morning reads.
April 1, 2020 Savannah Morning News
Savannah medical startup launches training module for nurses, medical staff
Katie Nussbaum reports that Savannah health care startup Febris Medical has launched a free online training module designed to walk nurses and medical staff through the proper procedures when donning personal protective equipment (PPE) as they continue to be on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
April 1, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Organizations address community needs
Mary Ann DeMuth reports that as the unprecedented pandemic takes its toll on Georgia citizens and communities, a growing number of organizations are teaming up to respond with financial assistance. To help with the impact of COVID-19 throughout the state, Georgia Power Foundation is investing $1 million.
April 1, 2020 Valdosta Daily Times, Ga.-Fl.News
Poultry firm offers bonus to help workers through pandemic
Terry Richards reports that a major poultry producer with facilities in Cook and Colquitt counties is offering a bonus to workers with perfect attendance to help workers during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Sanderson Farms, the nation’s third-largest poultry producer, said in a statement Monday it will provide a temporary weekly attendance bonus for employees equivalent to $1 an hour for each hour worked.
April 1, 2020 Georgia Health News
Guardsmen being sent to long-term care facilities as coronavirus spreads
Andy Miller reports that Gov. Brian Kemp is sending National Guard troops to a South Georgia nursing home to help personnel contain an outbreak of COVID-19, as part of a state effort to fight the disease in long-term care facilities. The new coronavirus has hit several nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in the state.
April 1, 2020 Georgia Recorder
WalletHub ranks Georgia economy as least exposed to coronavirus
John McCosh reports that Georgia is about to find out how many people will miss their April rent and mortgage payments as thousands of workers lost their jobs already to the coronavirus economic shutdown. Georgia academic economists are predicting the state is particularly vulnerable to a downturn due to its dependence on the travel and hospitality industry.
April 1, 2020 Capitol Beat News
Georgia Power launching beneficial reuse project for coal ash
Dave Williams reports that Georgia Power Co. plans to convert coal ash stored at one of its retired power plants into a component of Portland cement, the Atlanta-based utility announced Tuesday. The beneficial reuse project, a first for Georgia, will be launched later this year at Plant Mitchell near Albany.
April 1, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Loeffler reports more stock sales amid insider trading allegations
Tia Mitchell and Chris Joyner reports that U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler’s most recent financial disclosures show that millions of dollars in stocks were sold on her behalf at the same time Congress was dealing with the impact of the coronavirus. The largest transactions — and the most politically problematic — involve $18.7 million in sales of Intercontinental Exchange stock in three separate deals dated Feb. 26 and March 11.
