Archives: April 2025

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Opinions, Red Blue & You

DOGE Cuts, Georgia Bleeds

It is a cruel joke to have two of the richest men in the world dictate what millions of struggling families do or don’t deserve.
Tharon Johnson,

When “President” Elon Musk was ushered into office by “Vice President” Donald Trump, he came with a simple mandate: Cut waste, fraud and abuse out of the federal government. In theory, that’s a laudable goal. The federal government is a behemoth, spending nearly $7 trillion per year and, at least at the beginning of 2025, employing 2.3 million people, making…
Economic Development Around The State, Up Front

Economic Development Around the State: Hyundai Motor Group Grand Opening & CNN Center Downtown News

Christy Simo,

Up and Running: After years of planning and construction, the massive $12.6 billion dollar Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant celebrated its official grand opening in March. In advance of the celebration, Hyundai announced it is also increasing production from 300,000 to 500,000 units a year on the Bryan County site, bringing an additional 14,000 new jobs by 2028. The first vehicle to be produced…

Georgia Trend Kwan, Bourbeau, Craft, Edwards, Key
Catching Up With..., Downtime

Catching up with… Rosaline Kwan

Consul General of Canada to the Southeast United States
Rachel Wallenstein,

Rosaline Kwan is a diplomat with more than 25 years of experience in international trade and foreign policy. She leads the team managing Canada’s bilateral relations with six states. Following are edited highlights from an interview. How are goods transported between the Southeast and Canada? We have $1 trillion trading relationship, supporting about 8 million jobs in the United States….

American Politics, Social Issues Paper Collage
Opinions, The Georgia File

Off to the Races

The parties will focus on what they can control, namely money and candidate quality.
Brian Robinson,

The 2026 political cycle that will usher in a new era in Georgia politics is well underway. Though he’s not on the ballot in Georgia next year, President Trump will loom large – perhaps more so than any individual candidate – in determining the outcome. We’ll return to the Trump factor in a moment but first let’s set the scene….

Big Red Apple Dedication 1926 Copy
Organizations, Up Front

Habersham History

Candice Dyer,

Preserving the Past: A crowd celebrates the unveiling of the Big Red Apple monument in Cornelia almost 100 years ago. Photo credit: contributed The Digitize Habersham website, created by Habersham Education & Research, is a historian’s digital dream. “We’re all about preserving the rich history of Habersham County. All of our programs are available online so that they are accessible…

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Metro Atlanta, Our State

Forsyth County | Abundance of Riches

Schools, Jobs, Growth
Linda M. Erbele,

Forsyth County has already performed a hat trick: top-ranked schools, high-tech business environment and access to excellent healthcare. But it aims to score even higher. Top in its sights: a National Hockey League franchise that may come to the metro area as the centerpiece of development that would include an 18,500-capacity arena. Very Purposeful: Alfred John, chair of the Forsyth…

Ga small business owners and stories
Business Industry, Economic Development Features, Features

Small Size, Big Values

Five Georgia companies that stand out.
LeeAnn Dance,

For the Love of Flying: Maule Air President Brent Maule, by one of the planes his company built. Photo credit: David Parks The U.S. experienced a post-COVID small business boom, and Georgia is helping to lead the surge. The U.S. Small Business Administration says it received a record 20 million applications for funding from entrepreneurs from 2021 to 2024 –…

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Education, Features

Georgia MBA Programs: Pushing Forward

Georgia MBA Programs Offer what Professionals Need to Maximize their Career Success
Amber Jones Barry,

Program of Leadership: Stephen Craft, dean of Oglethorpe University’s Hammack School of Business. Photo credit: Daemon Baizan Extra letters after a name are never a bad thing. And getting a Master of Business Administration can be a strategic next step in furthering a career by learning new management skills, no matter the field or industry. “Without question, the MBA is…
Business Industry, Features, Special Sections

Putting People First: Georgia’s Best Places to Work

Best Companies Group says these companies deliver on employees' desire to pursue fulfillment through learning, service and a feeling of belonging.
Amritha Alladi Joseph,

High Standards: Kevin Wade, IntelliSystems president and CEO, and Cassy Stringfield, chief financial officer and human resources manager. Photo credit: Hillary Kay Some offices have foosball tables or full-time baristas serving caffeinated beverages, while others lure employees with the promise of unlimited vacation time. Increasingly, however, those workplace perks aren’t the ones attracting employees or compelling them to stay. Employees…

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Northwest, Our State

Murray County | Reaching New Heights

Tourism, Revitalization, Inland Port
Demi Guillory,

Until recently, Murray County seemed like Georgia’s best-kept secret. It was just four years ago that local officials and the chamber of commerce began mobilizing efforts outside county limits to fill the many empty storefronts in downtown Chatsworth and Eton. They saw the potential for a booming and vibrant economy, and leaders began marketing Murray County’s amenities. Today, with a…