Georgia Trend Daily – Sept. 9, 2024
Sept. 9, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Georgia PSC approves Georgia Power rate rollback
Dave Williams reports that state energy regulators authorized Georgia Power on Wednesday to reduce customer rates by $122 million to reflect the Atlanta-based utility’s savings from corporate tax cuts the state General Assembly enacted this year. Gov. Brian Kemp signed two bills last spring reducing Georgia’s income tax rate from 5.49% to 5.39% and setting corporate income taxes to match the tax rate imposed on individual taxpayers.
Sept. 9, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Liquid Assets: Georgia Rivers and Streams Are a Source of Year-Round Enjoyment
LeeAnn Dance reports, wherever you live in Georgia, you’re likely not far from the state’s 70,150 miles of rivers and streams. Indeed, you may have fished, paddled or floated in their waters. Georgia’s rivers have inspired poems, art and music. And they’re a significant contributor to Georgia’s economy.
Sept. 9, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MacKenzie Scott donates $10 million to Georgia community lender
Mirtha Donastorg reports that philanthropist MacKenzie Scott is at it again. The author and ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who was instrumental in the retail giant’s early years, has given $10 million to Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit Community Development Financial Institution based in Georgia.
Sept. 9, 2024 Rough Draft – Atlanta
Waffle House CEO Walter Ehmer dies at 58
Collin Kelley reports that Waffle House CEO Walter Ehmer died Saturday at age 58 after a battle with cancer. A 1989 graduate of Georgia Tech, Ehmer joined Waffle House in 1992. He became president in 2006 and CEO in 2012.
Sept. 9, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Hyundai says it will need 4 million gallons of water per day at site near Savannah
John Deem reports that Hyundai Motor Company expects to use about 60% of permitted water withdrawals from four proposed wells to supply its $7.6 billion electric vehicle and battery manufacturing complex near Savannah, the automaker said this week. Bulloch County (where the wells would be drilled) and Bryan County (where construction is nearing completion on Hyundai’s 16-million-square-foot assembly plant) are seeking Georgia Environmental Protection Division approval to pump up to 6.65 million gallons daily from the Floridan Aquifer.
Sept. 9, 2024 11 Alive
These two Georgia suburbs are among the fastest-growing, report says
Akilah Williams reports, two Georgia cities have made the list for the fastest-growing suburbs in the nation, according to a report from GOBankingRates. The two cities — Union City, which is in the southern part of Fulton County, and McDonough, about 30 miles south of Atlanta, — made the list.
Sept 9, 2024 GlobalAtlanta.com
U.K. Ambassador: British-American Partnership Deepening on AI, Critical Technologies
Trevor Williams reports that as economic and security issues become increasingly intertwined, the United Kingdom is stepping up collaboration with the U.S. on artificial intelligence and other critical technologies, the British envoy to Washington said Thursday in Atlanta.
Sept. 9, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Floyd County Commission To Get Briefing On Statewide Homestead Exemption Vote Tuesday
Diane Wagner reports that the Floyd County Commission is scheduled to get a briefing Tuesday on a proposed constitutional amendment that would make significant changes to Georgia’s property tax and local sales tax systems. The board also is scheduled to hold a first reading on an ordinance regulating “urban camping,” typically directed at homeless people living in public spaces.
Sept. 9, 2024 The Brunswick News
Cumberland land swaps proposed
Gordon Jackson reports that a public comment period has begun on four proposed land exchanges on Cumberland Island National Seashore. Federal, state and privately owned property exists within the legislative boundary of the barrier island. By exchanging property with private landowners, the National Park Service seeks to relocate private interests to other areas where it is more appropriate and less impactful on visitors.
Sept. 9, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Tybee Island lighthouse restoration complete
Destini Ambus reports, two years after a routine assessment determined that the Tybee Island Lighthouse needed essential repairs, the preservation project is finally complete. The project took about 10 months to complete, according to Tybee Island Historical Society Executive Director Sarah Jones, and cost $1.9 million when it was all said and done, though they hoped to have it done in seven with an estimated cost of $1.6 million.
Sept. 9, 2024 Capitol Beat News
Carr: Kemp can’t be forced to hold hearing on State Election Board
Dave Williams reports that Georgians do not have the authority to demand that the governor convene an administrative hearing to take up accusations against members of state boards, Attorney General Chris Carr wrote in a legal opinion issued Friday. Gov. Brian Kemp asked for the legal opinion late last month after Georgia Democrats called on the Republican governor to remove three GOP members of the State Election Board for approving changes to state election laws they said could disrupt the November elections.
Sept. 9, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Tech cuts ties with Chinese university under federal scrutiny
Greg Bluestein reports that Georgia Tech is cutting ties with a Chinese university that’s faced increased federal scrutiny over its potential links to the Chinese military. The school said Friday it is ending a partnership with Tianjin University after an extensive investigation.
