Georgia Trend Daily – Dec. 18, 2020
Dec. 18, 2020 Georgia.gov
Georgia-based Path-Tec to Expand Columbus Operations, Create 350 Jobs
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp on Thursday announced that Georgia-based Path-Tec, a leading provider of health care logistics and supply chain solutions, will invest more than $5 million in expanding their operations in Columbus. Thanks to the type and quality of their services, Path-Tec has experienced accelerated growth during the COVID-19 pandemic and expects to create 350 jobs locally with their expansion.
Dec. 18, 2020 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
At Issue: Healthcare Band-aids
Kerwin Swint writes, in 2021 one of the biggest issues Georgia faces will be access to healthcare and insurance coverage. Much of the back and forth over healthcare has revolved around hot political arguments over Obamacare, the Affordable Care Act.
Dec. 18, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia adds jobs, but not enough to keep unemployment from rising
Michael E. Kanell reports that Georgia’s unemployment rate rose to 5.7% last month from 4.5% in October as hiring failed to keep pace with more job seekers, the state’s Department of Labor reported Thursday. During November roughly 20,900 jobs were added — a robust performance in normal times.
Dec. 18, 2020 The Center Square
Coca-Cola to cut 500 jobs in Atlanta, 1,200 jobs in U.S.
Nyamekye Daniel reports that the Coca-Cola Co. will cut 500 jobs in Atlanta as part of its reorganization plan. Representatives for the company, headquartered in Atlanta, said the plan was orchestrated before the response to the coronavirus first caused sweeping business closures and marketing changes in March.
Dec. 18, 2020 Marietta Daily Journal
Galt Pharmaceuticals acquires Oravig from Therapeutics
Staff reports that Cobb-based Galt Pharmaceuticals announced the acquisition of a specialty branded product from Fortovia Therapeutics. Effective Dec. 2, Galt added Oravig, the first and only orally-dissolving buccal tablet for oral thrush, to its growing portfolio of pharmaceutical assets.
Dec. 18, 2020 Capitol Beat News
The Home Depot to pay record fine for failing to follow rules for lead paint
Dave Williams reports that a Atlanta-based The Home Depot Inc. has agreed to pay a $20.75 million fine for violating federal environmental rules for conducting home renovations involving lead paint. A consent decree filed Thursday in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia requires the giant hardware retailer to implement a corporate-wide program to ensure that the contractors it hires are certified and trained to avoid spreading lead dust and paint chips during home renovation projects.
Dec. 18, 2020 Atlanta Business Chronicle
Synovus announces CEO transition coming in 2021
Staff reports that Synovus Financial Corp. announced Thursday that its longtime Chairman and CEO Kessel Stelling will move into the role of executive chairman of the board on or about April 21, 2021, with President and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Blair succeeding Stelling as CEO on that date. Columbus, Ga.-based Synovus (NYSE: SNV) is the largest bank headquartered in Georgia with approximately $53 billion in assets.
Dec. 18, 2020 Georgia Recorder
Columbus Spends Big To Fight Against Chattahoochee Pollution Limits
Jill Nolin reports that a middle Georgia public utility has spent years fighting a new state permit that would impose more limits on pollution flowing from the sewer system into a popular stretch of the Chattahoochee River known for its fishing and whitewater rafting. The Columbus Water Works has cited the cost to comply with the new water quality requirements as at least part of the reason for its long-standing objections to a state permit that has been in limbo for years.
Dec. 18, 2020 Gainesville Times
Flowery Branch gives first approval to mystery industrial space on Falcon Parkway
Jeff Gill reports that the Flowery Branch City Council unanimously approved rezoning Thursday, Dec. 17 for up to 848,200 square feet of proposed industrial space next to the Atlanta Falcons complex, and the request will return to the Council Jan. 7.
Dec. 18, 2020 LaGrange News
City of Hogansville approved for $373,000 USDA loan for new city hall
Jenna Oden reports that the City of Hogansville will be able to move forward with its city hall renovations after being approved for a USDA loan. The $373,000 loan funds will be utilized to renovate the PNC Bank building located at 111 High Street in Hogansville.
Dec. 18, 2020 Saporta Report
New study shows Georgia’s strength as a global health hub
Maria Saporta reports that Georgia leaders instinctively have known the state is a leading hub for global health. But for the first time ever, a first-ever “landscape study” has the numbers to prove it.
Dec. 18, 2020 Georgia Health News
At 1,000-person funeral, Gov. Kemp flouted own COVID-19 guidelines
Max Blau reports, in the days after a pastor unknowingly spread COVID-19 at two funerals in Albany early this year, Gov. Brian Kemp looked to curb further spread of the virus. He issued a stay-at-home order, ordered the closure of some businesses and implored Georgians to avoid large funerals.
Dec. 18, 2020 WABE 90.1
Kemp Fires Back At Misinformation, ‘Ready For Any Kind Of Fight’ In 2022
Emma Hurt reports that Gov. Brian Kemp is firing back at the mountains of misinformation about Georgia’s election system, some of which has been directed at his family. “Quite honestly, it has gotten ridiculous,” he said. “From death threats to bribes from China, the social media posts that my children are getting. And look, we have the ‘no crying in politics’ rule in the Kemp house. But it is stuff, if I said that, I would be taken to the woodshed for and would never see the light of day.”
Dec. 18, 2020 Facing South
Deep canvassing effort in Georgia aims to flip the U.S. Senate
Benjamin Barber reports, this week voters in Georgia began casting early ballots in the two runoff races for U.S. Senate that will be finally decided on Jan. 5. Under Georgia law, candidates must receive a majority of the vote to win an election, which did not happen in those races in November.
Dec. 18, 2020 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As Ga. hospitals begin vaccinations, state learns it will get fewer doses
Ariel Hart and Greg Bluestein report that Georgia hospitals from Atlanta to Albany to Gainesville to Conyers finally began long-awaited vaccinations of their own workers Thursday, and a second vaccine candidate won an important endorsement. But as sparks of hope appeared, the state also faced new challenges in battling the pandemic and a grave increase in cases.
