Georgia Trend Daily – Nov. 18, 2020
Nov. 18, 2020 Georgia Water Coalition
GWC releases 2020 Dirty Dozen report
Staff reports that Georgia’s leading water advocacy organizations released their “Dirty Dozen” for 2020 in a 30-page report highlighting 12 of the worst offenses to Georgia’s waters. Rather than identifying the “most polluted places” in Georgia, the Georgia Water Coalition’s (GWC) Dirty Dozen report instead highlights the politics, policies and issues that threaten the health of Georgia’s water and the well being of 10 million Georgians.
Nov, 18, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Organizations: Atlanta Theatre-To-Go
Candice Dyer reports that in 1997, Sondra Ilgenfritz’s mother developed breast cancer and could no longer indulge her passion: going to the theater. Sondra Ilgenfritz decided to bring the theater to her, by inviting actors to perform in her home.
Nov. 18, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Home Depot boosts worker pay as profits rise
Michael E. Kanell reports that Home Depot is giving raises to frontline and hourly workers that will add $1 billion a year to their paychecks after revenue and profit soared at the giant retailer. Since the pandemic took hold earlier this year, the company has spent $1.7 billion on extra bonuses, paid leave and other benefits.
Nov. 18, 2020 Georgia.gov
Governor Kemp Announces $55 Million Investment for Houston County
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp announced on Nov. 17 that Silicon Ranch Corporation will invest approximately $55,000,000 in a new 68 megawatt solar project in Houston County, Georgia. In partnership with Green Power EMC, Silicon Ranch will provide the solar energy it generates to serve more than thirty Electric Membership Corporations (EMCs) throughout the state.
Nov. 18, 2020 WSB-TV
Papa John’s setting up its new headquarters at The Battery Atlanta
Staff reports that Papa John’s plans to deliver its headquarters to Cobb County. The pizza chain announced Tuesday it will move from its current location in Kentucky to a 60,000 square foot facility at the Battery Atlanta.
Nov. 18, 2020 Rome News-Tribune
F&P Georgia plant expansion to grow again in 2022
Doug Walker reports that F&P Georgia is growing again, or soon will be. The automotive parts manufacturer revealed plans for an additional $17 million expansion in 2022 during the Tuesday meeting of the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority.
Nov. 18, 2020 Cherokee Tribune
Antenna manufacturer forms new division, bringing additional jobs to county
Staff reports that a Ball Ground manufacturer of antennas has announced formation of a new defense division, which will also expand its workforce. NXT Communications Corp. formed the NXTCOMM Defense division, focusing on serving the military mobile communications market, including the new U.S. Space Force, company officials said in a statement.
Nov. 18, 2020 Albany Herald
MasterBrand Cabinets to bring 400 jobs to Butts County
Staff reports that Gov. Brian P. Kemp has announced that MasterBrand Cabinets Inc. will make a significant and long-term investment in opening a Southeastern U.S. manufacturing and distribution hub near the city of Jackson in Butts County, creating nearly 400 jobs. “MasterBrand’s investment in Georgia is a testament to the state’s unmatched logistics infrastructure, pro-business climate, and top-notch work force,” Kemp said in a news release.
Nov. 18, 2020 Saporta Report
Truist Foundation makes $7 million grant to Purpose Built
Maria Saporta reports that Atlanta-based national nonprofit Purpose Built Communities will receive a $7 million grant from the Truist Foundation over the next three years to bolster its work in transforming communities. The grant was announced Tuesday at the 11th annual Purpose Built conference, which is being held virtually this year because of the COVID pandemic.
Nov. 18, 2020 Capitol Beat News
Georgia EMCs, telecoms far apart on rural broadband
Dave Williams reports that Georgia’s electric membership cooperatives (EMCs) and telecom providers remain far apart on how to expand broadband connectivity in rural Georgia with time growing short for the state to decide a key component of the issue. The EMCs want the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) to nearly double what they can charge providers to attach broadband technology to their utility poles, from the current $20 per pole per year on average to $37.95, while the providers are calling for rates to be lowered to $7 per pole, the rate set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Nov. 18, 2020 Rome News-Tribune
Coal ash pond closures at Plant Hammond could take up to 15 years
Doug Walker reports that the dewatering and closure of the three remaining coal ash ponds at Georgia Power’s Plant Hammond west of Rome will take another 15 years to complete. Georgia Power executives took community leaders on a virtual tour of the dewatering process Tuesday in a bid to make sure they develop a confidence that the Coosa River will be protected.
Nov. 18, 2020 GPB
Georgia’s Brad Raffensperger: National GOP Figures Didn’t Understand Our Laws
Alana Wise reports that Georgia’s secretary of state said Tuesday that some fellow Republicans have tried to pressure him into disqualifying legal ballots that may not have favored President Trump. Brad Raffensperger, who was earlier endorsed by Trump, said in an interview with NPR’s All Things Considered that he had been contacted by South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham’s office in an effort to convince him to discard some legal absentee ballots.
Nov. 18, 2020 The Center Square
Georgia hand recount will not change presidential election results, official says
Nyamekye Daniel reports that Georgia is on track to complete its hand recount of the ballots cast in the presidential election by Wednesday night, but a top elections official said the audit will not change the election results. Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s voting system implementation manager Gabriel Sterling told reporters Tuesday that state law will not allow them to change the election’s certified results, which are submitted by precincts.
Nov. 17, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Analysis shows surge in Asian, Hispanic voters helped Biden capture Georgia
Greg Bluestein reports that a surge in voter participation among younger, more diverse voters helped fuel President-elect Joe Biden’s slim victory in Georgia, according to an analysis by the Democratic firm TargetSmart, as the increase in the share of white turnout lagged behind. The analysis found Asian-American turnout nearly doubled when compared to the 2016 election, while Hispanic voter participation soared by 72%.
