Georgia

November 16, 2009 -- DUBAI, U.A.E -- Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue welcomed three economic development announcements made today from the Dubai Airshow that continue to strengthen Georgia’s reputation as a global center for the aviation industry.

“Each of these three announcements illustrate a key aspect of our economic development strategy – location of a new U.S. headquarters in Georgia, an existing company expanding its current workforce and an Atlanta-based business selling its products to overseas customers,” Governor Perdue said. “    » read more »

October 26, 2009 -- Representatives from NOAA and the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, announced the formation of a partnership to better manage and protect ocean and coastal resources, ensure regional economic sustainability, and respond to disasters such as hurricanes. The announcement was made during the annual meeting of the Coastal States Organization in Charleston, S.C.    » read more »

October 26, 2009 -- ATLANTA, Ga. -- Just as every home should have a smoke alarm, every home should have an emergency supply kit packed and ready. And being prepared doesn’t have to cost a lot of money.

While emergency preparedness is ongoing at the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), it's also an individual responsibility.

“You should be prepared to take care of yourself and members of your family for the first 72 hours – that’s three days – following a disaster such as a hurricane or the September flooding across Georgia,” said GEMA Director Charley English. “A big part of disaster preparation is knowledge and the state has developed a comprehensive disaster preparedness guide that is available online.”    » read more »

October 16, 2009 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue today announced 19 grant awards from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC). These grants are awarded to cities, counties and community groups in the Appalachian Region who have met the community improvement requirements set by the ARC.

“This program creates new opportunities for Georgia residents by improving the quality of life in the northeastern region of our state,” said Governor Perdue. “This 13-state ARC partnership helps local communities compete at the national and global level.”    » read more »

September 17, 2009 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley’s office today commented on Georgia’s decision to appeal a definitive federal court ruling that water withdrawals from Lake Lanier to provide water supply to the Atlanta area are illegal under federal law.

Governor Riley’s Press Secretary Todd Stacy made the following statement:    » read more »

September 15, 2009 -- ATLANTA -- Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Wiregrass Power, LLC plans to locate a 40-megawatt renewable energy power plant in Valdosta. The company will create 25 jobs and invest $110 million over the next three years as the plant comes online.

“Georgia’s status as the nation’s Bioenergy Corridor continues to grow with the location of a renewable energy power plant in Valdosta,” said Governor Perdue. “Our vast supply of biomass, technology innovations and business-friendly environment are very attractive to companies such as Wiregrass Power.”    » read more »

June 16, 2009 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue today announced the approval of eleven state and federally funded environmental infrastructure projects totaling $91.5 million. Five of the projects were either fully or partially financed by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) at a total of $40.5 million.

The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA) board of directors approved the commitments to help finance water and sewer infrastructure projects in Cobb County, Colquitt County and Gwinnett County, and the cities of Camilla, Hiawassee, Port Wentworth, Portal, Sparta, Stillmore, Valdosta and West Point.    » read more »

June 12, 2009 -- ATLANTA– Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced that he has submitted the required “1511 Certification” on transportation projects in metro Atlanta that will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“These funds include much needed road widening projects, improvements in our intelligent transportation system and upgrades to traffic signals that will ease congestion,” said Governor Perdue. “It also includes $25 million to keep MARTA moving.”    » read more »

Governor, EPD Ease Outdoor Water Use Schedules

June 10, 2009 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Perdue announced today that due to significant rainfall and improved water supplies the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has issued a non-drought schedule for outdoor water use for the first time since June 2006.

“Georgians have seen the most severe drought on record, and have proven their ability to conserve and manage our state’s most precious resource,” said Governor Perdue “We have become more educated about water conservation, and have taken significant steps towards ensuring a long term solution. I believe Georgians will continue to use our water resources wisely under this new outdoor watering schedule.”    » read more »

June 5, 2009 -- ATLANTA– Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced that he has submitted the required “1511 Certification” on transit projects around the state that will be funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

“These funds will provide needed assistance to rural and urban transit systems across our state, including Park and Ride lots in Metro Atlanta for commuters to meet up and carpool or take transit,” said Governor Perdue.

Governor Perdue submitted the certification as part of a June 2 letter to US DOT Secretary Ray LaHood. In the letter, the Governor informed Secretary LaHood that more projects will be certified as the Georgia DOT and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) amend their TIPs to include additional projects.    » read more »

"Stimulus Should Be Used to Create Jobs, Not Relocate Them"

June 3, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) wrote to Commerce Secretary Gary Locke today regarding a plan by the city of Columbus, Georgia to request economic recovery funds to help support the relocation of NCR from Dayton, Ohio. Brown urged Locke to prevent economic recovery funds from being used to relocate jobs from one state to another.

“The purpose of ARRA is to create or retain jobs, not to relocate them from state to state,” Brown wrote in his letter today to Secretary Locke. “Stimulus funds should not be used in a manner that benefits one local economy at the expense of another.”    » read more »

June 3, 2009 -- ATLANTA -- Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that women’s fashion retailer Chico’s FAS, Inc. (NYSE:CHS) plans to expand its distribution center facilities in Barrow County with an initial investment of $15 million, which is expected to create 189 full-time jobs over the next three years.

“Georgia’s strong business assets continue to make it a compelling location for distribution centers,” said Governor Perdue. “Our state’s unmatched transportation network, business-friendly environment and ready pool of qualified workers translate to success.”    » read more »

June 2, 2009 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today NCR will dramatically increase its presence in Georgia, relocating its corporate headquarters to Duluth moving 1,250 jobs to the state. The Fortune 500 company, the world’s leading provider of ATMs, self-checkout and other innovative assisted- and self-service solutions, will also establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in Columbus that will employ an additional 870 people over the next five years.    » read more »

May 22, 2009 -- ATLANTA - Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, Georgia transportation officials and the State Farm Insurance Co. today announced a new collaborative sponsorship designed to create a long-term, supplemental funding source for the Department's Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) program.

"We know that incident management is one of the most effective, efficient methods to relieving congestion," Governor Perdue said. "This partnership ensures sustainable funding is available to keep our HERO trucks busy clearing wrecks and keeping traffic moving."    » read more »

Independent, Bipartisan Financial Crisis Commission Would Have Subpoena Power

May 19, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., today praised Congressional passage of a financial fraud bill that includes his proposal to create a Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission charged with fully investigating the causes of the near collapse of our financial markets and our economy. The bill now goes to the President for his signature into law.    » read more »