Georgia Trend Daily – Sept. 25, 2023

Sept. 25, 2023 Georgia Recorder

Okefenokee Swamp refuge will be nominated for high-profile World Heritage designation

Jill Nolin reports that the National Park Service announced Friday that the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge will be nominated as a World Heritage Site, which moves forward the proposal four decades after the refuge was first considered a contender for the honor. If successful, the southeast Georgia refuge would become the first World Heritage Site in the state, and it would join the ranks of the Grand Canyon and Yosemite National Park.

Sept. 25, 2023 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

DPR Construction – Building Great Things

Susana Hills reports, in May 2023, as a lasting tribute to Mr. Aaron’s legacy, Morehouse School of Medicine officials gathered with members of the Aaron family and local civic leaders for a renaming & ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Hank Aaron Bridge. Formerly the Lee Street Bridge, the bridge is located where Lee Street SW crosses over Interstate 20 between Park Street SW and Oak Street SW.

Sept. 25, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Apartments seen as critical element of Georgia Tech’s bioscience park

Zachary Hansen reports, the first phase of an ambitious life sciences district by Georgia Tech will not only be home to cutting-edge lab equipment — it’ll house hundreds of people. Alongside a central lab and office tower, the first phase of the institute’s 18-acre Science Square innovation district will include a 280-unit apartment complex, both of which are on track to open early next year.

Sept. 25, 2023 CNHI News

Department of Public Safety: Retaining officers now a top challenge with recruitment

Asia Ashley reports that Georgia Department of Public Safety leaders say staffing concerns have shifted from recruitment to retention as long-term law enforcement employees are leaving the profession. “Our current officers are our best recruiters, so when we lose them, we lose our next generation of officers,” said Lt. Col. Billy Hitchens, deputy commissioner for the DPS.

Sept. 25, 2023 GlobalAtlanta.com

Mexican Government Honors Latin-American Chamber Founder During Independence Day Event

Trevor Williams reports that the Mexican government has honored the Latin-American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia’s president for his role in helping grow Hispanic-owned businesses in Georgia and beyond. Alejandro Coss was recognized with the Ohtli Award, one of the highest honors bestowed upon Mexicans living abroad, during a ceremony at Atlanta City Hall marking the country’s 213th independence day.

 

Sept. 25, 2023 Georgia.gov

Department of Public Safety Announces New State Patrol Post in Buckhead Community

Staff reports that Gov. Kemp, on Friday, announced plans by the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) to construct a new post on the grounds of the Governor’s Mansion. With construction planned adjacent to the property’s entrance, the 1,750 square foot facility and garage bay will maintain the historical integrity of the Mansion and surrounding grounds.

Sept. 25, 2023 Rough Draft Atlanta

Georgia Oak Partners welcomes Dale Murphy as managing director

Staff reports, Atlanta investment firm Georgia Oak Partners is welcoming Atlanta Braves icon Dale Murphy to their team. Murphy will become the firm’s managing director. As Managing Director of the firm, Murphy will play a key role in coaching Georgia Oak’s portfolio companies on topics including leadership, teamwork and culture.

Sept. 25, 2023 Rome News-Tribune

Floyd County tables gaming ordinance; business licensing may be key to local control of COAMs

David Crowder reports that a draft Floyd County ordinance regarding gaming machines has been tabled for now, but officials would like to see a discussion concerning the requirement of business licenses in the county. Coin-operated amusement machines, like the ones you see in some area convenience stores, are regulated by the Georgia Lottery Corporation, and local governments are limited in the amount of control they have over them.

Sept. 25, 2023 The Center Square

Georgia lawmakers put state’s tax credits under new scrutiny

T.A. DeFeo reports that state-sponsored tax credits are under increased scrutiny this off-session as state lawmakers ponder whether to revamp or remove some of the incentives they offer to companies. “Government shouldn’t be picking winners and losers,” Nick Stark, director of the task force on tax and fiscal policy at the American Legislative Exchange Council, told lawmakers during a Joint Tax Credit Review Panel hearing this week.

Sept. 25, 2023 GPB

Warnock introduces legislation to improve child care workforce at National Head Start Conference

Ambria Burton reports that Georgia’s U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock introduced new legislation on Monday to boost the child care workforce by increasing access to early Head Start programs nationwide. He introduced the legislation, co-led by Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), during a speech at the National Head Start Association Conference’s Fall Leadership Institute in Crystal City, Va.

Sept. 25, 2023 Capitol Beat News

Georgia lawmakers to tackle fishing rights issue

Dave Williams reports that Georgia lawmakers passed legislation on the last day of this year’s General Assembly session guaranteeing Georgians the right to fish in navigable portions of the state’s rivers and streams. While the public’s right to fish had been established in Georgia for generations, Gov. Brian Kemp and legislative leaders saw a need to codify it in state law after a property owner along a stretch of the Flint River known as Yellow Jacket Shoals declared fishing from the bank on its side of the river off limits.

Sept. 25, 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Jolt: Kemp hammers GOP hard-liners for lack of ‘guts’ on spending bills

Adam Van Brimmer, Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell report, Gov. Brian Kemp has a message for the GOP hard-liners, including U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who refuse to pass legislation to fund the federal government unless the measures also address demands on immigration, Ukraine funding, and more.      “Just pass the damn bill and try to get something,” Kemp said during a lengthy conversation with The Jolt’s Greg Bluestein at the Texas Tribune Festival on Friday.