February 2021 Features

• Georgia Companies Should Prioritize International Opportunities for Growth in 2021

  February 25, 2021

  2020 posed unique challenges for business worldwide, particularly small businesses across Georgia. This is certainly true of Georgia exporters, who had to navigate unprecedented disruption in key markets around the world.

• Georgia’s Banks Post Gains in Loans, Deposits, Assets for 2020

  February 24, 2021

  Georgia’s 157 FDIC-insured banks closed out 2020 with increased loans, deposits and assets at year-end compared to 2019. According the latest FDIC data, loans were up 10%, deposits grew by 22%, and assets increased by 17% in 2020.

• UGA Honors Late Judge Horace Johnson at Annual Leadership Conference

  February 24, 2021

  The University of Georgia J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development presented its 2021 Innovations in Community Leadership Award posthumously to Superior Court Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr. in honor of his commitment to developing leaders and strengthening his hometown of Newton County and communities across Georgia.

• Providing Georgia with a 21st Century Transportation System

  February 23, 2021

  Accessibility and connectivity are critical factors in a region’s quality of life and economic competitiveness. Over the last decade, Georgia has experienced remarkable progress in developing its transportation and infrastructure network.

• Securing Connections in an Unsecured World: Georgia’s Europe Office Opens Transatlantic Dialogue on Cybersecurity

  February 22, 2021

  As a part of the Digital Business Association out of Berlin, SIBB’s “Berlin Meets the USA” event series, the Georgia Department of Economic Development hosted a cybersecurity-focused webinar in January.

• Georgia Film and Television Production off to Strong Start in 2021

  February 19, 2021

  Despite the worldwide pandemic bringing Georgia’s film and television industries to a complete halt in March of 2020, there are very positive signs for Georgia’s production world in 2021. More than 35 scripted film and television projects are already in the works, and stage space is quickly being snapped up for future projects.

• Following An Unexpected Rebound In M&A, Businesses Are Banking On A New Kind Of Dealmaking For Growth In A Post-Covid World

  February 19, 2021

  2020 was a volatile year for M&A, with an almost complete halt in deal activity in the early months of the Covid-19 crisis and a rebound in the second half of the year, when deal value rose by more than 30% in the third and fourth quarters. Bain & Company's new survey of nearly 300 M&A practitioners shows that appetite for M&A remains robust, with about half of respondents expecting higher M&A activity in their industries in 2021.

• Integrated Fiber Solutions Announces $30 Million Expansion in Rome

  February 18, 2021

  Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced that Integrated Fiber Solutions (IFS), a manufacturer of synthetic bulked continuous filament (BCF) yarns for the carpet, rug, and automotive industries, will invest $30 million in expanding their operations in Rome, Georgia, to meet growing demand.

• Georgia Research Alliance Marks 30 Years of Impact

  February 18, 2021

  Thirty years of investment in university research and entrepreneurship is paying big dividends for the State of Georgia, according to metrics released by the Georgia Research Alliance.

• National State of the Workforce Report Highlights Georgia’s Accomplishments

  February 18, 2021

  The National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) released its bi-annual State of the Workforce Report yesterday outlining how the workforce agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands assisted American workers through one of the worst economic downturns our country has experienced.

• Georgia Made a Symbol of Community Pride, Quality

  February 17, 2021

  Nearly one year after celebrating Georgia Made Day at the State Capitol, the program has become a point of pride for manufacturing companies and Georgians in every corner of the state. Georgia Made also provides businesses with opportunities for additional support in logistics, manufacturing and marketing of goods produced in Georgia.

• Georgia Ranked Top 10 Exporting State in 2020 for First Time

  February 16, 2021

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that the State of Georgia ranked among the United States’ Top Ten exporting states in 2020 for the first time. Georgia merchandise exports reached 215 unique countries and territories and experienced the lowest rate of export contraction among all top ten states, despite headwinds from a global pandemic.

• In SK Plant, Trade Secret Thief Gives Georgia False Choice Between Jobs and Justice

  February 16, 2021

  The future is electric, and Georgia has spent a great deal of energy—and hundreds of millions in development incentives—to secure its position in the economy of tomorrow as a high-tech manufacturing corridor.

• Chief Justice Melton to Leave Supreme Court

  February 15, 2021

  Chief Justice Harold D. Melton announced that he will leave the Supreme Court of Georgia effective July 1st. In a statement to court staff and the Georgia Judicial Council – the policy-making body for the state’s judicial branch of government – he said he does not yet know what he will do next.

• Governor Brian Kemp & Georgia Historical Society President Dr. W. Todd Groce Appoint 2021 Georgia Trustees

  February 12, 2021

  On the eve of Georgia Day, celebrating the 288th anniversary of the founding of the Georgia colony, The Honorable Brian Kemp, Governor of Georgia, and Dr. W. Todd Groce, President and CEO of the Georgia Historical Society, officially appointed David P. Abney and Juanita Powell Baranco as the 2021 Georgia Trustees in a signing ceremony at the Georgia State Capitol.

• Rebuilding with Resilience: Deloitte Report Reveals How Organizations Can Better Prepare for Future Disruption

  February 12, 2021

  Released today, Deloitte's 2021 Resilience Report explores how organizations have coped with the tumultuous events of 2020 and identifies the traits that characterize a resilient organization—traits business leaders can cultivate in order to build greater resilience into their own companies

• Delta to Take Guesswork Out of Travel with Digital Concierge; Test-drives New Pilot with CLEAR

  February 11, 2021

  Delta is applying its vision to deliver a digital concierge for customers – first unveiled at CES 2020 – to anticipate and address the evolving travel needs brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Appoints Suzanne Clark Next CEO

  February 10, 2021

  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce announced Suzanne Clark will become the next chief executive officer of the world’s largest business organization, effective March 11th, the date of the organization’s next Board of Directors meeting.

• Employee Well-being is Major Priority for Many CEOs of High Performing Companies

  February 09, 2021

  Focus on talent, technology and partnerships can be key to thrive post-COVID-19 pandemic, according to insights from 3,000 CEOs

• Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan Announces Application Process for Partnership for Inclusive Innovation Grants

  February 08, 2021

  Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan announced the Partnership for Inclusive Innovation is now accepting applications for pilot program grant funding.

• The 5G Economy will Spur Massive GDP and Job Growth Across the US

  February 08, 2021

  5G networks could create about 4.5 million jobs in the US and add roughly $1.5 trillionto the country's GDP, according to a new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG), commissioned by CTIA, the wireless industry association.

• National Center for Civil & Human Rights Receives $17M Grant from The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to Expand Center’s Footprint & Programming

  February 05, 2021

  The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation announced a five-year, $17 million grant to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in downtown Atlanta. As part of The Center’s capital expansion to add 20,000 square feet to the existing footprint and transform its programming, $15 million of the grant will fund The Center’s new three-story West Wing.

• In Good Company Report Affirms Georgia’s Business Generosity Momentum

  February 04, 2021

  Through the turmoil of 2020, Georgia business showcased the best in all of us. Companies on the In Good Company list displayed extraordinary grit and determination to meet urgent needs.

• Technology Association of Georgia Announces Keynote Speakers for the Georgia Technology Summit

  February 03, 2021

  Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) announces keynote speakers; issues call for content and nominations for Georgia’s Top 40 Innovative Companies and the Georgia Technology Awards for the Georgia Technology Summit, which will take place April 28th-29th, 2021.

• Following December Decline, Small Business Employment Growth Holds Steady in January

  February 03, 2021

  The latest Paychex | IHS Markit Business Employment Watch report is out. The January numbers show the national Small Business Jobs Index held relatively stable from the previous month.