December 2023 Features

• Georgia Farm Bureau members will ‘Dig In’ to Agriculture at Annual Convention

  December 27, 2023

  Georgia Farm Bureau members will gather on Jekyll Island Dec. 3-5 for the organization’s 86th annual convention. Attendees will be ‘Diggin’ In’ to agriculture issues and advocacy as they participate in event activities.

• Augusta Technical College and the Downtown Development Authority of Augusta Officially Launch Accelerate Augusta

  December 22, 2023

  Augusta Technical College, in partnership with the Downtown Development Authority of Augusta, proudly announces the official launch of Accelerate Augusta, the region's newest small business incubator and microenterprise center.

• goBeyondProfit - The Business Case for a Generosity Reboot

  December 22, 2023

  If you pay close attention, you will hear a growing disagreement between companies, employees, and the communities they serve. While they are bound together by a mutual interest in meaningful engagement, employees and community-serving nonprofits are begging for a relationship reboot.

• Explore Georgia Announces Most Anticipated Hotel Openings for 2024

  December 22, 2023

  The Peach State is preparing to ring in the new year with a host of new hotel options that offer more than just a good night’s sleep. From a mountaintop golf resort to a lovingly restored historic mansion, here is a sampling of the new accommodations travelers can look forward to in Georgia come 2024.

• Georgia’s Unemployment Holds Steady for the Holidays

  December 21, 2023

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's November unemployment rate was 3.4 percent, unchanged from a revised 3.4 percent for the third consecutive month. The unemployment rate was three-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Georgia Named Among the States Where Small Businesses are Set to Boom in 2024

  December 21, 2023

  Business ideas and information site The Small Business Blog analyzed search data from Google Keyword Planner for more than 100 terms related to the term ‘side hustle’ and ‘small business’ - the peach state placed #7.

• GDEcD: 50 Years of International Presence

  December 20, 2023

  Fifty years ago, state leadership under then-Governor Jimmy Carter began to establish Georgia’s physical presence abroad, kickstarting the state’s trajectory to becoming a global hub for business and innovation.

• Christmas Begins After All The Christmas Stuff is Done

  December 20, 2023

  We’re almost there. The end of the year is in sight. We’re locked in on Christmas, when most of the country slows down or stops altogether for a much needed break. Productivity will be at its annual low.

• Augusta Technical College Expands Opportunities with Exciting New Programs for Spring 2024 Semester

  December 19, 2023

  Augusta Technical College is thrilled to announce the introduction of three dynamic programs set to launch in the Spring 2024 Semester, aimed at providing students with cutting-edge skills and opportunities in high-demand fields.

• Gov. Kemp Announces State Employee Retention Pay Supplement, New School Safety Funding

  December 19, 2023

  Governor Brian Kemp – joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Speaker Jon Burns, Chairman Matt Hatchett of the House Appropriations Committee, announced a state employee retention pay supplement of $1,000 for each of the roughly 112,000 state employees and 196,000 educators and school support staff across the state.

• Expert Perspective: Augusta University Professor Gives Annual Economic Outlook for the Region

  December 18, 2023

  For the 16th year, Augusta University’s Cree-Walker Chair and Professor of Economics in the Hull College of Business Simon Medcalfe, PhD, has given his analysis of the Augusta area economy.

• Georgia’s Energy System – A Model for America

  December 18, 2023

  We start our cars and barely think about the complex systems under the hood. The same with flipping on a light switch. We just take for granted that the electricity will work. We enjoy reliable and affordable electric service here in Georgia thanks to careful planning and market-based management of a diversified energy system.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interviews: Heath Fountain, CEO of Colony Bank (Part 2)

  December 15, 2023

  In part 2 of our interview with Colony Bank and its CEO Heath Fountain we explore intentional leadership practices that effectively communicate strategic priorities to a dispersed workforce. With 40+ offices across the state, Colony Bank implements these practices daily.

• GDOT Outlines Need for Major Hike in Highway Funding

  December 14, 2023

  Georgia will need to spend at least $81 billion on transportation improvements by 2050 to keep people and freight moving on highways that otherwise will becoming increasingly congested, state Commissioner of Transportation Russell McMurry warned Wednesday.

• Governors Kemp, Ivey Announce Agreement in Long-running Chattahoochee River Water Lawsuit

  December 13, 2023

  Governor Brian P. Kemp of Georgia and Governor Kay Ivey of Alabama announced that they have reached an agreement with the United States Army Corps of Engineers expected to end a lawsuit brought by Alabama while assuring both states’ citizens who live and work in the Mid- and Lower Chattahoochee River Basin of sufficient minimum water flows during times of drought.

• Georgia Chamber CEO Chris Clark: It’s Time for Washington to Reverse Course on Interest Rates

  December 13, 2023

  It’s no surprise to anyone who has filled up their tank, been to the grocery store, or applied for a loan that sky-high inflation and increasing interest rates are placing an undue financial burden on citizens across the country and constraints on business investments.

• Over Forty High School Students Complete Colony Bank's Leadership Academy

  December 12, 2023

  Over 40 high school students in Georgia recently graduated from the Colony Leadership Academy, the graduation ceremony took place on November 18th in Savannah and upon completion of the program, each student received up to a $1,000 scholarship to the college or university of their choice.

• Georgia’s Economy is Headed for a “Soft Landing” but Could Still Hit Some Speed Bumps

  December 12, 2023

  Georgia’s post-COVID economic expansion is expected to slow but continue, with GDP increasing by 1.1% in 2024, according to economic forecasters at the University of Georgia Selig Center for Economic Growth.

• Feds Providing More Funding for Passenger Rail in Georgia

  December 11, 2023

  The Biden administration is stepping up federal funding of three planned intercity passenger rail projects in Georgia. The Federal Rail Administration has awarded $1.5 million in grants to explore linking Atlanta with Savannah; Charlotte, N.C.; and Chattanooga, Tenn.

• Premier Networx and FPL Food Named 2023 Best In Business by Augusta Metro Chamber

  December 08, 2023

  At this year’s Best In Business award celebration, Entrepreneur Fortitude was the overarching theme and both recipients have displayed not only the endurance it takes to succeed in business but also a strong commitment to our community and a positive impact on our local economy.

• goBeyondProfit CEO Interviews: Heath Fountain, CEO of Colony Bank

  December 08, 2023

  Colony Bank and its CEO Heath Fountain were recently awarded the goBeyondProfit Champion Award for their commitment to a larger purpose beyond the bottom line. In our latest CEO interview with Colony Bank CEO, Heath Fountain, he clearly articulates not only the role that community banks play in improving lives but also offers practical ways to tie daily tasks and customer interactions back to the company purpose.

• As Responsibilities Increase, US Corporate Boards are Taking a Fresh Look at Their Committees

  December 08, 2023

  Science and technology. Health and safety. ESG and sustainability. A few years ago, board committees on such topics were nearly non-existent. But as boards expand their role to address a broadening array of topics, they are not only assigning responsibilities to existing committees but also starting to form new types of committees.

• Celebrating 2023 Best In Business and Entrepreneurial Fortitude at Member Economic Luncheon

  December 06, 2023

  Join the Augusta Metro Chamber on Thursday, December 7th at the Augusta Marriott for the 2023 Best In Business awards during the final Member Economic Luncheon of the year.

• SBA Delivers Over $1.4B in Funding to Georgia Small Businesses

  December 06, 2023

  The U.S. Small Business Administration recently announced that the SBA delivered $50 billion in capital, disaster relief, and bonding to small businesses and disaster-impacted communities across America in Fiscal Year 2023.

• Colony Bank Honored with the goBeyondProfit 2023 Champion Award

  December 05, 2023

  goBeyondProfit, a first-of-its-kind business leader initiative that inspires business generosity, today announced it has honored Fitzgerald-based Colony Bank and its CEO, Heath Fountain, with the goBeyondProfit Champion Award.