Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 4, 2024
Jan. 4, 2024 Covington News
Court dismisses Rivian zoning challenge
Evan Newton reports that a court in Morgan County has dismissed a zoning challenge brought forth by a group of concerned citizens against the electric vehicle startup, Rivian. The ruling handed down on Tuesday will allow Rivian to move forward with their plan on building its 16-million-square-foot facility on 1,800 acres in the Stanton Springs area.
Jan. 4, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Solar Industry Shining in Georgia
Ben Young writes, as I write this, Georgia was just named the Top State for Doing Business by Area Development magazine for the 10th consecutive year. What an exciting time to be in Georgia – our reputation for good business seems to grow exponentially.
Jan. 4, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
CNN digital chief to step down as CEO Mark Thompson preps new strategy
Rodney Ho reports that three months after officially joining CNN, chief executive officer Mark Thompson will soon be laying out a fresh strategy for the troubled news operation. Thompson, in a memo to staff Wednesday, said Athan Stephanopoulos, CNN executive vice president and chief digital officer, will depart at the end of January after just 15 months at the company.
Jan. 4, 2024 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Joins GaDOE, TCSG to Announce Further Incentivization for High-Demand Career Pathways
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp yesterday announced changes to Georgia’s statewide accountability system for schools – the College & Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) – to incentivize the adoption of high-demand Career Pathways in high schools. The CCRPI currently recognizes schools for the number of students completing a Career Pathway during high school.
Jan. 4, 2024 Capitol Beat News
First construction contract awarded for Savannah River bridge upgrade
Dave Williams reports that the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a nearly $6.6 million contract in an ambitious plan to replace the cables on the Savannah River bridge in Savannah and potentially raise it to accommodate larger cargo ships. The contract went to Kiewit Infrastructure South Co. of Peachtree City, which will work with project designer Parsons Transportation Group to provide recommendations throughout the pre-construction phase of the work.
Jan. 4, 2024 Cherokee Tribune
Ball Ground-Based Company Pledges $75,000 in Support of COED
Staff reports that CAIRE Inc., a manufacturer of oxygen and cardiorespiratory diagnostics equipment based in Ball Ground, has committed to pledge $75,000 over the next five years in support of the Cherokee Office of Economic Development, the company announced. Through this investment from CAIRE and other business and industry partners, the COED initiative Cherokee By Choice 2.0 is targeting $375 million in capital investment and 2,200 direct jobs for Cherokee County.
Jan. 4, 2024 Augusta Chronicle
New Georgia law aims to make canceling subscription services easier
Miguel Legoas reports, as we continue to rely more on the internet, the need for accountability will rise. One of Georgia’s new laws helps reinforce that. Gov. Brian Kemp signed the House Bill 528 last May, establishing the “Georgia Online Automatic Renewal Transparency Act” and the “Georgia Online Third-Party Delivery Service Transparency Act,” both of which went into effect New Year’s Day.
Jan. 4, 2024 State Affairs
Lawmakers hope to tackle workforce challenges, invest in high-demand careers
Jill Jordan Sieder reports that employers in Georgia are ready to expand their businesses but are hard-pressed to find adequately trained and qualified applicants, while many would-be professionals find themselves hampered by the state’s often burdensome licensing requirements and inefficient licensing boards. That’s a problem in a state where 1 in 6 jobs requires an occupational license.
Jan. 4, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Buddy Carter takes his place at the climate table at COP 28
John Deem reports, just one of every four Republicans in the U.S. is concerned about the potential impact of warming caused by heat-trapping pollution, according to polling by the Yale University Program on Climate Change. As a five-term GOP member of Congress, Buddy Carter considered Republicans’ skepticism as he contemplated traveling to Dubai for the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP 28, which wrapped up Dec. 13.
Jan. 4, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Mike Dugan joins U.S. House race for Georgia’s 3rd District
Greg Bluestein reports that State Sen. Mike Dugan, once one of the most powerful Republicans in the Legislature, on Wednesday joined what’s expected to be a crowded race in an open and deeply conservative U.S. House district in west Georgia. Dugan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution he will step down from his Carrollton-based Georgia Senate seat on Thursday and formally enter the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, who announced last month that he was retiring after four terms.
