Georgia Trend Daily – Oct. 15, 2021
Oct. 15, 2021 Capitol Beat News
Georgia Power, state energy regulators reach tentative deal on Plant Vogtle costs
Dave Williams reports that Georgia Power would be allowed to pass on to customers $2.1 billion of the costs of completing the first of two new nuclear reactors at Plant Vogtle under a stipulation agreement outlined Thursday. But the Atlanta-based utility wouldn’t be permitted to start recovering those costs until one month after the reactor unit goes into commercial operation, next June under the current completion schedule.
Oct. 15, 2021 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Economic Development Around the State
Christy Simo reports, Georgia’s film industry saw another blockbuster year during fiscal 2021, setting a new record with $4 billion in direct spending on productions in the state. Factors include pent-up demand from the COVID-19 hiatus; Georgia’s earlier safe return to production, which led to many films and TV shows moving their production to the state; and the associated expenses to mitigate risk.
Oct. 15, 2021 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Truist plan to put purple name atop Atlanta tower runs into red light
Andy Peters reports that a glowing purple Truist sign will soon beam atop Atlanta’s second-tallest building — provided property managers can clear up structural problems cited by building inspectors. Truist wants its name and logo to shine from all four sides of the pinnacle of 303 Peachtree, a 60-story office tower that looms over the downtown skyline and can be seen for miles.
Oct. 15, 2021 GlobalAtlanta.com
U.K. Business Credit Card Company Picks Atlanta for U.S. Headquarters
Trevor Williams reports that Capital on Tap, a British company that provides credit cards for small businesses, is setting up a U.S. headquarters in Atlanta that will eventually hire 150 people. The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced the new investment while Commissioner Pat Wilson was traveling in London on a recruitment trip.
Oct. 15, 2021 All On Georgia
USG Foundation raises more than $625,000 for need-based scholarships, presents Elridge McMillan Lifetime Achievement Award to Governor Brian P. Kemp
Staff reports that the 17th annual Regents’ Scholarship Gala on Wednesday evening raised more than $625,000 from generous sponsors and a live auction to support and provide need-based scholarships for University System of Georgia (USG) students across the state. Hosted by the USG Foundation, the annual event included Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp as well as supporters, donors, alumni, legislators, members of the Board of Regents and presidents from USG’s 26 public colleges and universities.
Oct. 15, 2021 Gainesville Times
Why Gainesville is seeking the largest grant in its history
Conner Evans reports that the city of Gainesville could get its biggest grant in history, $10 million, to help affordable housing issues in the city. The city is applying for a Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds for Negative Economic Impact grant, which is funded through federal American Rescue Plan Act money and being given out through the governor’s office.
Oct. 15, 2021 Albany Herald
Thomasville receives one of 60 state community development grants
Staff reports that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently recognized the city of Thomasville as one of 60 Georgia communities that will receive a Community Development Block Grant. In 2021, CDBGs with a combined total of $43 million have been issued throughout the state. The city of Thomasville will receive $750,000 from the 2021 CDBG program for proposed water, wastewater, and drainage improvements in the Dewey City neighborhood.
Oct. 15, 2021 GPB
Board Of Regents makes sweeping changes to tenure in Georgia. Professors aren’t happy about it
Sarah Rose reports that the Georgia Board of Regents voted Wednesday to make sweeping changes to the state’s rules surrounding tenure for academic staff, and now some professors are crying foul. Currently, professors can only be fired for cause after a thorough peer review process.
Oct. 15, 2021 Georgia State University
Georgia State Receives $5 Million Grant to Establish a Center of Research Excellence in Science and Technology
Jennifer Rainey Marquez reports that a team of researchers at Georgia State University has been awarded a prestigious five-year, $5 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology (CREST) program, which supports the research capabilities of minority-serving institutions through the establishment of centers that effectively integrate education and research.
Oct. 15, 2021 The Center Square
Cellphone taxes increase for Georgia residents
Nyamekye Daniel reports that Georgia has the 25th-highest cellphone service taxes compared with other states and U.S. territories, a report released this week shows. According to the report released by the Tax Foundation, the combined local, state and federal tax rate and fees on wireless services for for Georgians was 24.42% in 2021.
Oct. 15, 2021 Brunswick News
Virtual event to offer educational resources on criminal record expungement
Lauren McDonald reports that nearly 4.3 million people in Georgia have some kind of criminal record, according to the Georgia Justice Project. This record can hinder a person’s ability to get a job, find housing and many other critical aspects of daily life.
Oct. 15, 2021 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Geoff Duncan is taking his ‘GOP 2.0′ pitch national
Greg Bluestein reports that Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan is bringing his post-Donald Trump vision of the Republican party to a hotbed of presidential politics. Duncan is set to address the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College next week to promote his “GOP 2.0″ book.
