Georgia Trend Daily – Feb. 24, 2021
Feb. 24, 2021 Savannah Morning News
Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub officially opens in Effingham
Staff reports that Savannah Gateway Industrial Hub has announced dual project milestones that mark the park’s official opening in Effingham County. A&R Logistics’ new global export headquarters is fully operational and the park’s new rail infrastructure that enables its multi-modal export capability is receiving shipments from CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Rail.
Feb. 24, 2021 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Sports Desk: Sports Heritage
Loran Smith writes, in 1999, an outstanding sports museum opened in Macon – the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. The venue, the largest state sports museum in the country, celebrates athletic achievements and features more than 3,000 artifacts.
Feb. 24, 2021 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Home Depot sees robust sales during pandemic
Michael E. Kanell reports, in a pandemic-distorted economy, Home Depot raked in $132 billion in revenue from February 2020 to January 2021, an increase of nearly 20% over the previous fiscal year. The public health crisis triggered massive spending on home improvements, adding dramatically to demand for materials and equipment from both professionals and do-it-yourselfers.
Feb. 24, 2021 Atlanta Business Chronicle
Atlanta concrete giant Quikrete buying pipe maker Forterra for $2.7B
David Allison reports that Atlanta-based Quikrete is buying one of the largest makers of pipes and precast concrete products in the United States. Quikrete Holdings Inc. will acquire Texas-based Forterra Inc. (Nasdaq: FRTA) in a deal valued at approximately $2.74 billion, including outstanding debt, Forterra said Monday.
Feb. 24, 2021 Gainesville Times
‘There will never be another Big Jim.’ Jim Walters remembered for contributions across Northeast Georgia
Kelsey Podo reports, those who knew Jim Walters, longtime Gainesville businessman and philanthropist, understand the weight behind his nickname, “Big Jim.” Kit Dunlap, president and CEO of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce, said Walters earned the title from being “larger than life” in every sense of the word. Walters died at home on Monday, Feb. 22, according to Memorial Park North Funeral Home and his family members.
Feb. 24, 2021 Georgia Recorder
Georgia lawmaker renews push to collect ‘Netflix tax’ on digital products
Jill Nolin reports, there is a fresh push underway to tax Netflix and other streaming services, e-books, video game downloads and other digital products that are currently untaxed in Georgia. Similar attempts in the past, known usually as the “Netflix tax,” found pushback with unhappy constituents back home.
Feb. 24, 2021 The Center Square
Georgia Senate approves election reform package, including absentee ballot signature-match overhaul
Nyamekye Daniel reports that the Georgia Senate approved four measures Tuesday that make changes to the election process as a response to November’s presidential election. Georgia gained national attention after a close presidential election prompted three recounts and lawsuits and threats from former President Donald Trump’s campaign and supporters.
Feb. 24, 2021 Capitol Beat News
‘Hidden Predator’ bill for child sex-abuse victims to sue in Georgia advances
Beau Evans reports that legislation to extend the statute of limitations for Georgians who were sexually abused as children to sue their abusers years later as adults advanced in the state House of Representatives on Tuesday. Sponsored by Georgia Rep. Heath Clark, R-Warner Robins, the bill would extend the deadline for victims to bring suits against their childhood abusers to age 52, a steep increase from age 23 under current state law.
Feb. 24, 2021 GPB
David Perdue Will Not Run For Senate In 2022, Opening Field For More GOP Challengers
Stephen Fowler reports that former Republican Sen. David Perdue announced he will not be running for the Republican nomination to challenge Sen. Raphael Warnock in 2022 after losing to Sen. Jon Ossoff in the January runoff. In a statement, the one-term senator said he is “confident that whoever wins the Republican Primary next year will defeat the Democrat candidate in the general election for this seat” and that he would do everything he could to make that happen.
Feb. 24, 2021 WABE 90.1
Georgia Lawmakers Make Push For Expanded Gambling — So What’s The Holdup?
Emil Moffat reports that since 2018, when a U.S. Supreme Court decision made it possible for any state to legalize sports gambling, nearly half have done so. “Sports wagering is currently legal in 22 states,” said Republican state Sen. Jeff Mullis. “Around us: Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana … and Florida is taking it up this year as well.”
Feb. 24, 2021 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Abrams’ group launches seven-figure ad campaign targeting Georgia GOP voting measures
Greg Bluestein reports that Georgia Republicans are edging closer to adopting restrictive new elections measures. The voting rights group founded by Stacey Abrams aims to turn public opinion decisively against the proposals.
