08 Jul 2019

The Talent Pool: Humans and Robots Keep One Another Afloat
The backbone of the US economy is the manufacturing industry, which has significantly evolved in its use of technology to handle jobs originally managed by people. For example, Artificial Intelligence (AI) initially handled the heavy duty lifting in manufacturing that humans could not do, and now it can also handle physiological as well as repetitive intellectual duties. AI is useful in performing the daily redundant tasks like filling in details, assembling, customizing, monitoring the production levels and doing quality controls. So where does that leave the human workforce and its role in manufacturing?
22 Mar 2019

Jackson County Due to See an Influx of 2,000 Jobs from Battery Manufacturer, SK Innovation
The City of Commerce, in Jackson County, Georgia has been making headlines recently, and for all good reasons. The County is expected to see an influx of jobs thanks to SK Innovation, which intends to build a $1.67 billion factory to supply batteries for electric-powered vehicles. The Electric Vehicle (EV) market is booming, with some forecasts indicating that more than 7 to 8 million EVs could be on the road within five years.
The deal, originally announced in November 2018, between SK Group and Georgia is the biggest since Kia Motors opened its doors in West Point about ten years ago. The impact will be felt in Jackson County and the entire state with an estimated 2,000 jobs injected into the market, with full jobs potential expected to be reached by 2025. (more…)
04 Jan 2019

Shared Success: The Utility’s Role in Economic Development
Businesses want to keep energy costs down and utilities want to see load grow. That’s the bottom line in economic development. But that’s not all there is to it. Communities and businesses have varying goals that require a careful match to find the right fit.
To help grow and improve their communities, public power utilities are playing a bigger role in economic development programs, and site selectors are welcoming their input.
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05 Oct 2018

The Georgia Beer Bill: One Year Later
It’s been nearly a year and a half since Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed Senate Bill 85, otherwise known as the “booze bill,” into law. The legislation allows breweries and distilleries to sell their products directly to consumers who patronize their locations. Now that the law has been in effect for a year, it’s time to examine how the craft beer direct sales economy boost is going.
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21 Sep 2018

Georgia Named Top State in the Nation for Business
For the fifth consecutive year, Georgia has been named the top state in the nation for business according to the publication Area Development. Governor Nathan Deal joined representatives from Area Development this September at the State of the Ports Address in Savannah to make the announcement. During a statement to the press, the governor said this “coveted distinction reflects the strength and resilience of our pro-business environment.” He credited a low tax structure, global gateways, and pro technology environment to success. In addition, the governor reaffirmed the state’s commitment to workforce and transportation infrastructure.
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