May 2024 Features

• ATDC Companies Raise $280.2 Million In Investments In 2023

  May 31, 2024

  Startups in the Advanced Technology Development Center current portfolio raised more than $280.2 million in investment capital and created or saved more 2,021 jobs in 2023.

• US Consumer Confidence Rose in May

  May 31, 2024

  "Confidence improved in May after three consecutive months of decline," said Dana M. Peterson, Chief Economist at The Conference Board. "Consumers' assessment of current business conditions was slightly less positive than last month.

• $206k Gift Sparks Imperial Theatre's $10M Capital Campaign Launch

  May 30, 2024

  The Imperial Theatre in Augusta announced this week that it had received a gift of stock worth $206,000 from Augusta businessman and philanthropist, Peter Knox IV.

• Governor Marks Completion of Plant Vogtle Expansion

  May 30, 2024

  Gov. Brian Kemp celebrated the completion of the Plant Vogtle nuclear expansion Wednesday while acknowledging the obstacles that had to be overcome in building the first nuclear reactors in the U.S. since the 1980s.

• Georgia Agricultural Innovation Center to Bring Farmers From Fresh to Value-Added Markets

  May 28, 2024

  Georgia has a rich agricultural history in fresh produce owing to factors including a favorable climate and long growing season. In rural areas where farms are primarily located, many entrepreneurs have limited access to appropriate business development resources and opportunities to break into value-added markets.

• President Keel Announces Major Milestones During Final University Address

  May 23, 2024

  In his final State of the University Address, Augusta University President Brooks Keel continued to highlight the growth of the university as student enrollment has eclipsed the 10,000-student mark, the continued work toward a top 60 National Institutes of Health ranking and major infrastructure additions across the university.

• Parker’s Kitchen Will Open First Convenience Stores in the Augusta Market

  May 22, 2024

  Parker’s Kitchen – a nationally acclaimed convenience store company and food service leader that was recently honored as a USA TODAY Top Workplace for 2024 – is delighted to open its first two retail stores in the Augusta market. Both stores will be open 24/7 to serve customers across the region.

• Goodwill Partners with ReNforce to Launch Employment Workshops for Justice-Involved Individuals

  May 22, 2024

  Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia & the CSRA is excited to announce a new partnership with ReNforce to provide specialized employment workshops aimed at empowering justice-involved individuals.

• Georgia Historical Society’s Georgia History Festival Raises Nearly $2.1M for Statewide Education and Research Services

  May 22, 2024

  The Georgia Historical Society announced that the 2023-2024 Georgia History Festival, which culminated on April 27, 2024, with the Trustees Gala, raised a record $2,095,653 to further the institution’s educational and research mission.

• Hartsfield-Jackson, Airbus, Delta and Plug Power Study Feasibility of Hydrogen Fuel at World’s Busiest Airport

  May 22, 2024

  Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Airbus, Delta Air Lines and Plug Power have joined forces to assess the feasibility of hydrogen fueling at the world’s busiest airport in support of advancing a more sustainable future for travel.

• Georgia Cyber & Innovation Training Center Hosts Augusta Engagement Expo Sponsored by Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (Georgia AIM)

  May 21, 2024

  On Wednesday, May 22, 2024, the Georgia Cyber Center will be abuzz with activity as Georgia Artificial Intelligence in Manufacturing (AIM) holds its first Engagement Expo, led by Project 3. The expo, held in the Shaffer MacCartney lobby, begins at 8am and goes on until 1:00pm.

• Georgia Chamber Launches New Website Launched to Empower Georgia's Business & Elected Leaders

  May 20, 2024

  Today, we are excited to announce the launch of the Georgia Chamber's new website, designed to provide invaluable data and insights for both business and elected leaders across the state.

• Georgia Scores Top Spot in Competitive Economic Rankings

  May 17, 2024

  Governor Brian P. Kemp, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, today announced that the state earned the No. 1 spot in Site Selection’s annual Prosperity Cup rankings for successful investment recruitment in 2023.

• Georgia Employment Hits All-Time High Amid April Job Surge

  May 17, 2024

  Georgia Labor Commissioner Bruce Thompson announced today that Georgia's April unemployment rate was 3.1, unchanged for the fourth consecutive month. The unemployment rate was eight-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• AAA: 1.3 Million Georgians will Take to the Roads & Sky for the Unofficial Start of Summer

  May 16, 2024

  AAA forecasts there will be a significant number of Georgians planning to travel for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. According to AAA, 1.3 million Georgians will journey 50 miles or more, which is 52,824 more holiday travelers than the previous year.

• Augusta Metro Chamber Announces 2024 Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch

  May 15, 2024

  The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce and Augusta Magazine are proud to announce the selection of the 2024 Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch.

• VP of AT&T Southeast States: Screen Time for Kids, Peace of Mind for Parents

  May 15, 2024

  Now that childhood has gone high-tech, some parents feel guilty about all that screen time. If you are a parent nodding your head in agreement, you are not alone.

• Georgia Cities Week Takes Cities to New Heights

  May 10, 2024

  Georgia Cities Week has once again soared across the state, propelled by our communities' collective spirit and pride. The theme, “Soaring to New Heights,” perfectly encapsulates the ambitious endeavors and collective aspirations that marked this annual celebration's 25th anniversary.

• Goodwill Week Celebrates the Power of Work

  May 09, 2024

  Every year during the first full week of May, Goodwill organizations across the U.S. and Canada celebrate Goodwill Week, which runs from May 5-11. The observance serves to raise awareness of the Goodwill mission to transform lives through learning and the power of work.

• Legislators & Community Leaders to Join Golden Harvest Food Bank to Address Hunger

  May 08, 2024

  On May 9th at 10am, Golden Harvest Food Bank will host its 2nd annual Feeding The Future roundtable discussion to address the issues of hunger in the community. Elected officials and community leaders from the Food Bank’s 25-county service area will discuss food security and collaborative efforts to close the hunger gap.

• Chancellor Perdue, President Keel to Deliver Keynote Commencement Speeches

  May 08, 2024

  University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Augusta University President Brooks A. Keel, PhD, will give the keynote addresses during the undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies for Augusta University.

• Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown Staff, & Georgia Agribusiness Leaders Explore Emerging Indian Market on US-India Trade Mission

  May 08, 2024

  Last month, Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper, Georgia Grown staff, and several Georgia agribusinesses visited New Delhi, India, on an agribusiness trade mission sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service.

• Georgia Celebrates Five ‘Small Business ROCK STARS’

  May 07, 2024

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development today announced its five 2024 Small Business ROCK STARS as part of the state’s celebration of Georgia Small Business Week 2024, recognized Monday, May 6, through Friday, May 10.

• Augusta Lands 350 New Jobs in E-mobility Manufacturing

  May 06, 2024

  Governor Brian Kemp announced that GF Casting Solutions AG, a division of Georg Fischer AG, that produces lightweight components for the mobility and energy industries, will invest more than $184 million in a new manufacturing facility in Augusta. This project will create 350 new jobs for Richmond County.

• SBA Georgia Announces 2024 National Small Business Week Winners

  May 06, 2024

  The U.S. Small Business Administration Georgia District Office announced the National Small Business Week 2024 Award Winners, including Small Business Person of the Year, Exporter of the Year, and other small business owners throughout Georgia.