Georgia Trend Daily – Aug. 1, 2023
Aug. 1, 2023 Capitol Beat News
Long-delayed Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion goes into service
Dave Williams reports that the first of two new nuclear reactors being built at Plant Vogtle has gone into commercial operation, Georgia Power officials announced Monday. Unit 3 at the plant south of Augusta went into service early Monday morning, seven years after originally scheduled and at more than double the original cost estimate.
Aug. 1, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
A New Ballgame
Kenna Simmons reports that Josh Dallas comes from a football family. The wide receiver at Georgia Southern University played on a state championship high school team with his twin brother, a quarterback now also at Georgia Southern.
Aug. 1, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Metro Chamber unveils new platform for region’s innovation ecosystem
Mirtha Donastorg reports that the Metro Atlanta Chamber, an organization focused on making the 29-county region an attractive place for businesses, has launched a new brand to position the metro area as a thriving innovation ecosystem: InnovATL. The InnovATL brand “will capitalize on the world-class innovation ecosystem the region has built over the years, which is fueled by nationally recognized colleges and universities, purpose-driven entrepreneurs, world-class corporations and hundreds of programs, centers, events and communities,” the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) said in a statement.
Aug. 1, 2023 The Center Square
Georgia ports see record roll-on/roll-off volume in fiscal 2023
T.A. DeFeo reports that the Georgia Ports Authority handled more than 723,500 roll-on/roll-off units in fiscal 2023, a record volume, while it reported a decrease from fiscal 2022 in the number of twenty-foot equivalent container units handled.
Aug. 1, 2023 Savannah Morning News
‘The hottest subject in Savannah right now’: Hyundai hiring challenges local labor market
Adam Van Brimmer, Latrice Williams and Nancy Guan report that by the time the Hyundai electric vehicle manufacturing plant is running at full capacity in 2031, Savannah-area employers estimate growing their workforces by 17,500 workers. To put the number of additional workers in perspective, think about the number of people attending two sold-out concerts at Enmarket Arena.
Aug. 1, 2023 Rome News-Tribune
Development Authority sourcing federal grant to assess properties with potential environmental issues
John Bailey reports that the Rome-Floyd County Development Authority is using a federal grant to not only assess current properties with potential environmental hazards but also to compile a list of additional properties for future development.
Aug. 1, 2023 Union-Recorder
Georgia State Patrol urging motorists to be careful as new school terms begin
Billy Hobbs reports that troopers with the Georgia State Patrol post in Milledgeville are urging motorists to be extra careful as schools are reopening for the start of another term in Baldwin and surrounding counties. “All the [public] schools that we serve in five counties are starting back this week,” said Cpl. Kevin Kirby.
Aug. 1, 2023 Athens Banner-Herald
Food trucks. Flights. Flowers. How Georgia football spent $4.5 million in recruiting
Marc Weiszer reports that Georgia football’s recruiting machine under Kirby Smart keeps humming through evaluating talent, connecting with top prospects and pouring money into the process. During its run to the 2021 national championship, Smart and his staff closed out a No. 3 2022 recruiting class and in the months that followed set in motion a No. 2 ranked haul for 2023.
Aug. 1, 2023 The Brunswick News
Storm evacuation resources available to those in need
Lauren McDonald reports, numerous resources are available to aid vulnerable groups in Glynn County if a storm forces residents to evacuate. Glynn County’s Emergency Management Agency works closely with partners, including the city of Brunswick, the Salvation Army, FaithWorks and others to ensure groups who may need extra support, like those who are homeless, who have limited financial means or who have certain medical conditions, can receive help.
Aug. 1, 2023 GPB
Small beer brewers in Georgia seek expansion of direct sales laws
Orlando Montoya reports that six years after Georgia lawmakers overhauled the state’s beer production laws, Georgia’s small beer brewers say they still have a lot of bottled-up potential. And they taking their case to lawmakers ahead of next year’s General Assembly.
Aug. 1, 2023 Saporta Report
Gov. Brian Kemp gives his first talk to Atlanta Rotary since becoming governor
Maria Saporta reports, during his first talk to the Rotary Club of Atlanta since he was elected governor in 2018, Gov. Brian Kemp evaded the question of whether he would be running for the U.S. Senate in 2026. In a question-and-answer session with Atlanta Federal Reserve President Raphael Bostic, Kemp laughed when he was asked if he would run for U.S. Senate in 2026 against U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia.)
Aug. 1, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Jolt: White House hopefuls heading to Georgia as Trump charges loom
Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell report that Erick Erickson’s upcoming sold-out conservative conference, The Gathering, is shaping up to be a magnet for 2024 White House hopefuls, as long as they’re not named Donald Trump. The WSB host unveiled the lineup for the three-day conference on Tuesday, which includes six top GOP presidential contenders and more than a dozen other prominent conservative figures.
