Georgia Trend Daily – May 2, 2024
May 2, 2024 Albany Herald, UGA/CAES
Food and fiber production adds $18 billion to Georgia’s economy
Jordan Powers reports, according to figures from the newly released 2022 Georgia Farm Gate Value Report, food and fiber production from Georgia’s 159 counties contributes more than $18 billion to the economy statewide. The Farm Gate Value Report analyzes county-level production values for Georgia commodities.
May 2, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Help for Small Businesses
Ben Young writes, small business ownership is an American dream that should be shared by all, and large entities often have an interest in increasing their interaction with their vendors that are owned by women and minorities to level the playing field. A 2022 U.S. Census Bureau Annual Business Survey reported that of 5.9 million firms total, 21% were minority-owned, 5.2% were veteran-owned and 22% were owned by women.
May 2, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Energy component manufacturer plans $193M plant in metro Atlanta
Zachary Hansen reports, an energy component manufacturer that supplies clean technology companies including Qcells and Tesla plans to establish a large production hub in metro Atlanta. Sunmax Tech Inc. announced it is developing a 300,000 square-foot manufacturing center in Adairsville, according to an April news release.
May 2, 2024 SCAD
Tripp Umbach study finds SCAD impact was $1 billion for the Savannah area and $328 million for Metro Atlanta
Staff reports that the Savannah College of Art and Design’s (SCAD) economic impact on Georgia has reached an all-time high, according to a study conducted by Tripp Umbach, the leading national consulting firm for not-for-profit, arts, and tourism sectors. In fiscal year 2023, SCAD generated $1.3 billion in annual economic impact for the state of Georgia, a 70% increase from the last report conducted for fiscal year 2019.
May 2, 2024 Savannah Morning News
Wawa, which plans to have nearly 30 locations in Georgia, breaks ground in Pooler
Destini Ambus reports that Pooler is one step closer to having its Wawa. The convenience store chain broke ground Wednesday at the intersection of Pooler Parkway and Pine Barren Road, after being approved for the location by Pooler City Council in February.
May 2, 2024 Saporta Report
Hard to believe: Atlanta group has two horses in the 2024 Kentucky Derby
Maria Saporta reports that although the race won’t take place until May 4, two Atlantans are already celebrating the Kentucky Derby. Larry Connolly and Keith Mason are co-founders of the West Paces Racing partnership group, which will have two horses racing in the 2024 Kentucky Derby – Dornoch and Society Man.
May 2, 2024 Albany Herald
Albany Area Primary Health Care awarded $5.1 million grant
Staff reports that U.S. Congressman Sanford D. Bishop Jr., D-Ga., announced that Albany Area Primary Health Care Inc. has been awarded a $5,187,269 Health Center Program grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HHS Health Resources and Services Administration-funded health centers are community-based, patient-directed organizations that provide affordable, accessible, high-quality primary health care services to individuals and families, regardless of their ability to pay.
May 2, 2024 Macon Telegraph
Will Macon be home to GA’s first national park? This bipartisan bill would make it happen
Jessica Payne reports, the effort to make Macon home to Georgia’s first national park now has bipartisan support in Washington, D.C. U.S. Reps. Austin Scott (R) and Sanford Bishop (D), alongside Sens. Jon Ossoff (D) and Raphael Warnock (D), introduced bipartisan legislation to establish Georgia’s first National Park, the politicians’ offices announced Wednesday.
May 2, 2024 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Signs Legislation Strengthening Public Safety and Supporting First Responders
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp signed a sweeping package of legislation, including HB 130, designed to strengthen public safety and provide support to first responders. HB 130 allows the Georgia Student Finance Commission to repay up to $20,000 in student loans held by a full-time peace officer who completes 5 years of service.
May 2, 2024 Georgia Recorder
Kemp signs bill into law forcing sheriffs to enforce federal immigration law
Stanley Dunlap reports that Gov. Brian Kemp signed a law on Wednesday requiring law enforcement agencies in Georgia to notify federal authorities when undocumented immigrants are arrested. HB 1105 creates a new immigration law that will result in local governments losing state funding and law enforcement officers and local officials being charged with a misdemeanor for ignoring the sanctuary laws.
May 2, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Greene Says She’ll Seek To Unseat Speaker Johnson Next Week
John Bailey reports that 14th District U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene said she is ready to call for a vote to unseat the speaker next week, although it’s likely a non-starter. Speaking to reporters in a press conference Wednesday morning, Greene accused her fellow Republican of going with the status quo in recent votes — including funding the Federal Bureau of Investigation, aid for Ukraine and what she termed as the “trans agenda on children and (President) Joe Biden’s open border policy.”
May 2, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A rare Georgia Supreme Court race could hinge on abortion rights
Greg Bluestein and Rosie Manins report, over nearly two centuries, almost all the sitting Georgia Supreme Court justices who have sought another term have won their elections. Former U.S. Rep. John Barrow might have the best chance in generations to upend that tradition.
