Georgia Trend Daily – Aug. 12, 2022
Aug. 12, 2022 Rome News-Tribune
Duluth Trading Co., known for its ‘buck naked’ clothing, plans $53 million, 300-job distribution center in Adairsville
John Druckenmiller reports that the latest boom resounding in Bartow County is a first-of-its kind distribution and fulfillment center planned by Duluth Trading Co., bringing 300 jobs and a $53 million investment to Adairsville. The project was announced Thursday morning by Gov. Brian Kemp as well as corporate and other state officials.
Aug. 12, 2022 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Economic Development Around the State
Christy Simo reports that sustainable shoe manufacturer Okabashi Brands Inc. is growing its existing facility in Gwinnett County, investing $20 million over the next five years and creating 340 new jobs.
Aug. 12, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Rivian production and revenues grow, but so do losses in second quarter
Zachary Hansen reports that the CEO of electric vehicle maker Rivian said Thursday the company will meet its goal of building 25,000 automobiles this year, but the company also expects its losses to widen as the startup contends with higher costs, supply chain issues and other headwinds.
Aug. 12, 2022 Savannah Morning News
Savannah Mall sold in online auction. What comes next?
Zoe Nicholson reports that the Savannah Mall on Abercorn Street has been sold in an online auction for $8.5 million, according to a report from television outlet WJCL. The auction closed Aug. 10 at 1 p.m., more details about the sell will be made available once escrow is completed.
Aug. 12, 2022 Athens Banner-Herald
Athens-Clarke to receive a $25 million federal grant for improvements to North Avenue area
Stephanie Allen reports that Athens-Clarke County is set to receive a $25 million federal grant for downtown infrastructure to help improve the North Avenue area. The grant will fund upgrades for cyclists, pedestrians and bus riders.
Aug. 12, 2022 Marietta Daily Journal
Powder Springs to build $1.8 million skatepark
Jake Busch reports that skaters and spectators have reason to rejoice: a new skate park is coming to the city. The Powder Springs City Council heard plans and received initial renderings this week for a 20,000-square-foot, $1.8 million skatepark capable of hosting Olympic-qualifying competitions to be built at Silver Comet Linear Park.
Aug. 12, 2022 Albany Herald
Albany, Dougherty County reach agreement on $109 million sales tax initiative
Alan Mauldin reports that Albany and Dougherty County officials appear to have a deal on dividing $109 million in proceeds of a 1% sales tax after several weeks of bickering, with both sides getting a little of what they wanted. “I look forward to moving this ball over the goal line,” Albany Commissioner Chad Warbington said during a Thursday special called meeting in which the county’s latest offer on the special-purpose local-option sales tax was discussed and approved.
Aug. 12, 2022 GlobalAtlanta.com
Young African Leaders Make Post-Pandemic Return to Atlanta
Trevor Williams reports that for the first time since the pandemic began, Georgia State University once again played host to a group of young African leaders, continuing a tradition of welcoming innovators from across the continent. The group was part of a cohort forced to participate in the prestigious U.S. State Department-led Mandela Fellowship program virtually last year.
Aug. 12, 2022 The Center Square
Georgia lawmaker would support more funding for Georgia medical board to bolster inspector ranks
T.A. DeFeo reports that a Georgia lawmaker will support additional funding for the Georgia Composite Medical Board to hire additional investigators if the agency asks for the money. “I don’t think they have enough investigators and when they ask for appropriations for that I will support it,” state Sen. Kay Kirkpatrick, R-Marietta, an orthopedic hand surgeon for more than 30 years, told The Center Square.
Aug. 12, 2022 Athens Banner-Herald
Loophole in Georgia law puts children taking swim lessons in danger; lawmakers promise change
Alexandra Koch reports that after a 4-year-old boy drowned during swim lessons in a residential pool, Georgia lawmakers say they will step up to address the absence of legislation surrounding safety protocols on swim lessons and instructors. Dori Scott is still waiting for charges to be brought in the death of her son, Israel Scott, who drowned in a Burke County pool earlier this summer.
Aug. 12, 2022 WABE
Georgia is in no rush to expand gambling and Gov. Kemp says that’s okay
Emil Moffatt reports, a day after his Democratic rival for governor, Stacey Abrams, expressed her support for broadening gambling options in Georgia, Gov. Brian Kemp maintained an essentially hands-off approach to the subject. “To be able to do that here, it’s gonna take a constitutional amendment,” Kemp told reporters at the state Capitol Wednesday.
Aug. 12, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Kemp’s counter to Abrams: Double the tax break next year
James Salzer reports that many Georgia families next year could see $1,000 in tax rebates and reductions under a two-pronged proposal Gov. Brian Kemp released Thursday. Kemp — facing a rematch with Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams this fall — said he wants to spend about $2 billion in state surplus money to provide a replay of the income tax rebates lawmakers approved in March and a resurrection of a more than 20-year-old property tax break that died during the Great Recession.
