Georgia Trend Daily – April 6, 2020
April 6, 2020 Georgia.gov
Kemp Names New Coronavirus Task Force Committee
Staff reports, on April 5, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced the members of the Governor’s Coronavirus Task Force Community Outreach Committee. “To continue to serve the needs of all Georgians during this challenging time, we have formed the Community Outreach Committee,” said Governor Kemp.
April 6, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Changing Lives
Mary Ann DeMuth reports that the 22 colleges that make up the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) provide state-of-the-art training in 600 associate degree, diploma and certificate programs along with English language skills and high school equivalency diplomas. These offerings make TCSG institutions a top resource for businesses seeking skilled workers locally.
April 6, 2020 WSB-TV, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia small businesses offered webinars on federal stimulus aid
Matt Kempner reports that state officials and the University of Georgia are offering webinars Monday and Tuesday for thousands of small business owners trying to understand how to get federal stimulus help and loans during the coronavirus pandemic. People can go online or call-in to take part.
April 6, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
Coronavirus: Atlanta billionaire to donate $5 million to female business owners
Eric Jackson reports that the Sara Blakely is making her own contribution to support women business owners who’ve been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. The billionaire founder and CEO of Spanx Inc. announced on Instagram that she’s donating $5 million to female entrepreneurs who need assistance amid the COVID-19 crisis.
April 6, 2020 Augusta Chronicle
Augusta area farmers adapt to coronavirus
Larry Cook and his family have been farming for almost 60 years but have never faced a challenge quite like the one affecting the nation now. “This has been the worst for everybody,” Cook said. “We are just doing the best we can.”
April 6, 2020 Gainesville Times
How an economic downturn might affect development boom
Jeff Gill reports, heavy machinery is still in motion at a large tract off Phil Niekro Boulevard, even as businesses are shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic and economic forecasts are grim. “We are under construction and by the time we begin to lease, we hope things have started to improve,” said Kurt Alexander, principal with The Residential Group, which is grading for a 324-unit apartment complex near Interstate 985 in Flowery Branch.
April 6, 2020 GlobalAtlanta.com
Toyo Tire, Another Large, Japanese-Owned Plant, Pauses Production
Trevor Williams reports that Toyo Tire is pausing manufacturing at is White, Ga., facility, one of the largest Japanese-owned plants in the state, as the coronavirus saps demand. The tire plant in Bartow County near Cartersville, which has expanded multiple times over the last decade, is expected to resume production April 19, the company announced in a March 30 news release.
April 6, 2020 Savannah Morning News
Savannah distillery to produce hand sanitizer
Katie Nussbaum reports that Savannah’s Ghost Coast Distillery has announced plans to repurpose its bottling facility on Indian Street and produce a signature Daisy Maze Hand Sanitizer for essential organizations and individuals in short supply. General Manager and co-founder Chris Sywassink says that bottling will begin within the first two weeks of April, and the priority will be getting the hand sanitizer to first responders and medical personnel, with a goal of continuing production for the general public’s use.
April 6, 2020 Rome News-Tribune
Rome News-Tribune to move to Tuesday through Saturday publication
Staff reports that well before the coronavirus brought its havoc, the print industry was already facing challenging times. As audiences continue to transition from legacy to online media, the Rome News-Tribune valiantly embraced both — maintaining a seven-day print product while bolstering efforts on our website.
April 6, 2020 Brunswick News
Golden Ray protection barrier almost complete
Larry Hobbs reports that some six weeks into its construction, the expansive environmental protection barrier that will surround the shipwrecked Golden Ray is beginning to look like … something. Most of the 80 support piles for the 33-acre mesh netting barrier are in place, Unified Command officials said Wednesday.
April 6, 2020 Saporta Report
Federal transit relief: $371 million to metro Atlanta, $448 million total statewide
David Pendered reports that Metro Atlanta transit agencies are to receive $371 million from the federal coronavirus aid package. It’s part of a total package of $448 million in federal transit assistance headed to Georgia to help offset the economic losses related to response to the coronavirus, according to the legislation.
April 6, 2020 Washington Post
‘Stupid and crazy’: Local officials protest Gov. Kemp’s decision to reopen beaches in hard-hit Georgia
Antonia Noori Farzan reports, for the first time in recent memory, tourist-dependent Tybee Island, Ga. was trying its best to keep visitors away. But those precautions were abruptly scrapped on Thursday, when Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) enraged local leaders by reopening all the state’s beaches.
April 6, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Nominate Unsung Heroes
Karen Kirkpatrick reports, when scared or faced with a crisis, Mr. Rogers, of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, said, “Look for the helpers.” That’s what we at Georgia Trend would like our readers to do. Look for the helpers and nominate them to our inaugural Legacy Leaders.
April 6, 2020 WABE 90.1
Stacey Abrams On Her Fight For A Fair And Accurate Census
Roxanne Scott reports that Democrat Stacey Abrams founded the organization Fair Count to ensure an accurate count of Georgia’s population in the 2020 census. But she didn’t anticipate advocating for a fair count during a global pandemic.
April 6, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Glitches applying for jobless benefits add to frustrations for unemployed
Ross Williams reports that some Georgians are reporting difficulties navigating the state’s now online-only unemployment system as a sudden and unprecedented wave of joblessness washes over the state. During the last full week in March, the Georgia Department of Labor processed more than 133,000 unemployment claims, an increase of more than 1,100% and the highest number ever in one week in the state.
April 6, 2020 The Center Square
Georgia spending $72M to add 296 hospital beds, staff in advance of expected patient surge
Jason Schaumburg reports that Gov. Brian Kemp has announced plans to add 296 hospital beds throughout Georgia as the state prepares for a COVID-19 patient surge. Eighty-eight new beds will be a part of four temporary medical units, and 208 additional beds at two reopened health-care facilities.
April 6, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Questions remain about who is handling Kelly Loeffler’s stock transactions
Tia Mitchell reports that U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler has provided no proof that financial advisers making stock transactions on her behalf have total control over decision-making. The Georgia senator has been accused of using insider information procured from Senate briefings on the coronavirus to inform her recent stock trades.
