Georgia Trend Daily – Aug. 23, 2022
Aug. 23, 2022 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Announces $37.4 Million in GEER Funds to Address COVID-19 Learning Loss
Staff reports that Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced over $37.4 million in Governor’s Emergency Education Relief (GEER) funds will be awarded to various organizations around the state to support learning recovery initiatives and programs as educators and students continue to confront the learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The new allotment of GEER funds will go to various community and public organizations that directly impact Georgia’s students.
Aug. 23, 2022 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Celebrating 25 Years and Innovating to Create a Vibrant Future for the Town Center Community
Julia Roberts reports, over two decades Town Center CID has built a proud legacy of advancing projects that matter, leading strategically to help make Town Center Community a vibrant place to grow a business, raise a family, shop and work, earn a degree, and enjoy the outdoors. As we mark our 25th anniversary, we are focusing our considerable expertise and passion on building coalitions and leading with a shared vision for the next chapter of our evolving community.
Aug. 23, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Home Depot board approves $15 billion stock buyback
Michael E. Kanell reports that the board of Home Depot, flush with sales and profit amid the pandemic, has approved a $15 billion buyback of its stock as a way to use “excess cash,” company officials said. The Smyrna-based retail giant earlier this week reported $43.8 billion in sales and net earnings of $5.2 billion in its second fiscal quarter, which ended July 31.
Aug. 23, 2022 GPB
Historic preservation, health care clash over Albany building
Orlando Montoya reports that members of Albany’s historic preservation board are at odds with a health care system, a technical college and the city’s commissioners over what to do with a nearly century-old school building. Phoebe Health and Albany Tech plan to demolish the former Albany High School (and, later, Albany Middle School) on North Jefferson Street and turn the site into a training center for nurses.
Aug. 23, 2022 Savannah Morning News
Bryan County megasite to host first job fair following Hyundai deal at the end of August
Zach Dennis reports that Barnett Southern, the company selected by the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) for the site and utility development contract with the Bryan County megasite, will host its first job fair at the end of August. The site, which will house the new $5.5-billion Hyundai plant, will be hiring heavy equipment operators, truck drivers, foremen and supervisors.
Aug. 23, 2022 The Brunswick News
Local businessman aims to shake up workforce
Taylor Cooper reports that Justin Henshaw thinks he has the solution to a problem that just about every employer across the country is dealing with — workforce recruitment and retention. “The way we’re managing young people, it’s not working. We’re speaking different languages,” said Justin Henshaw, owner of Henshaw Companies on St. Simons Island.
Aug. 23, 2022 Georgia Recorder
Fate of mine at Okefenokee Swamp’s edge could soon be cemented by Georgia EPD
Stanley Dunlap reports that the firm that wants to mine for heavy minerals near the Okefenokee Swamp scored a major victory Monday after a federal agency reversed its decision to take control of the review process away from Georgia’s environmental agency. A couple of months after the Twin Pines Minerals’ permitting process was redirected to get more input about the potential harm to historic burial grounds of the Muscogee Creek Nation tribe, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division will resume its review of the Alabama-based company’s application to mine a large swath of land on the edge of the national wildlife refuge.
Aug. 23, 2022 Marietta Daily Journal
Cobb to vote on $1.45M strategic plan contract
Chart Riggall reports that County commissioners will vote Tuesday on a $1.45 million contract with consulting firm Accenture to draft a new strategic plan for Cobb government. The goal of the study, according to county officials, will be to unite the disparate plans of each department under one heading — a task that’s not been undertaken in years.
Aug. 23, 2022 11 Alive
Changes announced to Georgia’s absentee ballots ahead of the November 2022 election
Doug Richards reports that Monday is the first day Georgia voters can apply for an absentee ballot for the November election. Republicans in the legislature added restrictions that reduce the amount of time – and the number of locations – where voters can use absentee ballots.
Aug. 23, 2022 The Center Square
Federal judge refuses to issue injunction in Georgia’s ban on ‘line relief’ at polling places
T.A. DeFeo reports that opponents of a state voting law say they plan to continue their fight after a federal judge declined to issue a preliminary injunction against Georgia’s “line relief” ban at polling places. Senate Bill 202, the Election Integrity Act, which lawmakers passed in 2021, included several changes to Georgia’s election laws.
Aug. 23, 2022 Capitol Beat News
Democratic legislators say LGBTQ rights under threat
Rebecca Grapevine reports that LGBTQ rights in Georgia could be under threat if Republican Gov. Brian Kemp is reelected in November, a group of Democratic LGBTQ state lawmakers said Monday. Rep. Sam Park, D-Lawrenceville, said Kemp and Georgia Republicans present a “clear and present danger” to LGBTQ Georgians.
Aug. 23, 2022 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Possible election takeover in Fulton delayed until after midterms
Mark Niesse reports that elections in Fulton County are safe from a potential state takeover — at least for now. A performance review of Fulton’s elections management won’t be completed until after this year’s results are certified, an attorney for the secretary of state’s office told the State Election Board on Monday.
