Shrimp season opens with optimism

Georgia's largest seafood industry opened today, with shrimpers expecting more boats on the water this year. You won't want to call it a Rennaissance with the long-term decline that Georgia's shrimp industry has suffered, but this year shrimpers are more optimistic than in the past.

Fuel prices are down from last year. Department of Natural Resources surveys have shown above-average catches in the pre-season. And some shrimpers are returning to the water, since construction and other jobs on land have dried up in the recession.

Shrimpers have been in federal waters for weeks. Andy Amason sells them ice.

"Catch wise, they're having a decent year," Amason says. "They have so far."

Amason is one of those in the shrimping industry rolling with the changes. Shrimp boats need ice. And ice-maker Andy Amason is one to give it to them. His workplace is a 25-degree freezer filled with rows and rows of torso-high ice-blocks in McIntosh County.

"They pull up to a dock at their packing house," Amason says "We back up with our truck and we take the blocks and slide them off the truck into the blower. It turns the block into snow."

Amason's grand-father started the ice business in the 1940's and for many decades, the family also processed seafood: crabs, shrimp and whelk. But in the 1980's, the seafood business started to decline and Amason noticed an interesting niche in the ice business.

"We occasionally got calls for ice sculptures," Amason says. "I didn't really know anything about the ice carving business, but what I found was that there are a lot of nice resorts in the area that we can serve."

Amason quit processing seafood in the 1990's and today his business is just ice. Only about 40% of it is for shrimp boats anymore. Most of his business these days is ice sculptures for special events. Amason uses molds, lumber-saws and drill bits wired to computers to make his icy shapes and cut names and logos into window-clear ice.

Amason's is far from the only shrimp business to make a move away from shrimp into something else. Over the past 30 years, the industry has declined by about 80%, mostly because of foreign imports and the rising price of fuel. The recession is prompting some to return to shrimp since construction and other work has dried up and fuel is down from last year's peak. But Amason says, he sees the long-term decline continuing and believes he'll be the last Amason to work in ice.

"The funnest part of the business is the snow business, where we go and blow the snow on the ground," Amason says. "It's amazing how kids who grow up in South Georgia instinctively know how to make a snow ball and throw it and hit me in the head with it."

Shrimping in state waters usually lasts until the New Year. Last year's harvest was about two million pounds, worth about seven million dollars.

Audio: Andy Amason gives a tour of his business and explains how the ice is made and shaped. (Amason's business is called Snow South and he can be reached at 912-832-4437.)

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Business efforts paying off

A new survey shows minority and women-owned businesses are on the rise in Savannah. The city has made increasing these business a priority recently, with several new programs designed to boost their success.

A survey of 13,000 licensed businesses shows the efforts may be paying off.

Since the last survey 4-years-ago, African-Americans jumped from 11% to 16% and women jumped from 33% to 37% of total business owners. Hispanic-owned business tripled.

Tony O'Reilly, President of the Small Business Assistance Center, which conducted the survey, said, "Obviously, we're seeing an overall increase in the numbers of businesses, but in terms of proportionality, there is also an increase and that's what's particularly hopeful."

Along with more business, however, the survey also found more concern about competition as new options pop-up for consumers. Business owners also said taxation, regulation and crime are top concerns.

State Senate Passes Gun Bill

The State Senate passed a watered down version of HB 89, a contoversial gun bill that would allow licensed gun owners to keep their weapons in their car at work, if the employer gives the O.K..

The National Rifle Association did not want to require employer permission, but Georgia's business community lobied hard for the change.

As the bill stands now, some are worried that the measure doesn't go far enough to protect the rights of businesses located on rental property. Lawmakers who opposed the bill, say it tramples on the rights of business operators who rent from property owners.

State Senator David Adelman, a Democrat from Atlanta, spent nearly 30 minutes defending his amendment to the proposed bill that would let business renters decide whether to allow guns on the premises not the property owner.

Adelman says his bill is about the safety of customers and employees. "If Georgia business owners want to prohibit firearms where they do business, they should be permitted to do so," says Adelman, even if the property owner says guns are allowed.

Adelman's amendment, however, was defeated. Because of the changes, the bill now goes back to the House for consideration.

Perdue Signs Two Bills To Boost Business

Businesses in Georgia could be in line for substantial tax breaks, following a pair of bills signed into law by the Governor.

One piece of legislation changes how tax credits are earned by companies doing business in the state—allowing bigger breaks for more higher-paying jobs added. The other bill would end the tax on business inventories—this however needs a constitutional amendment through a voter referendum.

Both measures moved through the Legislative session with little resistance.

Thomas Smith, assistant professor with Emory University’s Goizueta School of Business, says even with state budget shortfalls, direct help for companies is good:

"I think we’ve got to worry about first thing’s first, and worry about the state budget second. And the first things we’ve got to worry about are--are the businesses able to do business? And if they can’t, then, who cares about the state budget."

Still waiting to be signed by Governor Perdue--legislation to give tax credits to businesses that hire unemployed Georgians for a certain length of time, and to reduce long-term capital gains which would be subject to federal taxes.

Video: FDA: Plant Knowingly Sold Salmonella-laced Food

From school lunches to nutrition bars and ice cream, the nationwide salmonella outbreak has reached deep into the American food supply — even though many people had never heard of the small company at the center of the investigation until a few weeks ago.

The food manufacturer, Peanut Corp. of America, has just a few plants scattered across the South, but it may be responsible for one of the nation's largest food recalls in history.

Federal investigators on Friday said the Lynchburg, Va.-based company knowingly shipped salmonella-laced products from its Blakely, Ga., plant after tests showed the products were contaminated. Federal law forbids producing or shipping foods under conditions that could make it harmful to consumers' health.

So far, the salmonella outbreak has sickened about 575 people in 43 states and may have contributed to at least eight deaths. The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation and more than 1,550 products have been recalled.

The company has denied any wrongdoing, but said it is investigating.

Before the scandal, Peanut Corp. was a little-known but ambitious company that began in the 1970s as a family catering operation.

"We started this business working out of our house in Virginia with my mom doing all the accounting," company president Stewart Parnell had been quoted on the company's Web site.

The peanut processing business grew over the years. The company bought a plant in Georgia in 2001, opened another in Texas four years later, and was also running a plant in Virginia.

Friends and business associates said Parnell was dedicated.

"He certainly has gone out and done some things on his own — he didn't just lay around. He's been aggressive," said Eddie Marks, who runs a Virginia storage company and has known Parnell for 15 years.

But even as the company expanded and began to process millions of pounds of peanuts per month, its headquarters was still a two-story building behind Parnell's house. He even had his own brand of peanut products: "Parnell's Pride."

Belying the ambition, there were problems.

About nine months after Parnell bought the Georgia plant in 2001, potential insecticide contamination and dead insects were found near peanuts inspected by the Food and Drug Administration.

More recently, state inspections in 2006 and 2007 found some sanitary problems. After another inspection in October, state officials discovered only relatively minor violations.

But less than three months later, a federal investigation found roaches, mold and other unsanitary conditions.

The potential repercussions began to emerge. The Agriculture Department said it may have shipped possibly contaminated peanut butter and other foods to free school lunch programs in California, Minnesota and Idaho in 2007. The Federal Emergency Management Agency acknowledged that it distributed meals to disaster victims that may have included the potentially tainted peanut butter.

And it was discovered that the company's Plainview, Texas, plant didn't register with state health officials there after opening in March 2005 and only recently was discovered and inspected.

However, the most serious issue surfaced in inspection records released Friday by the Food and Drug Administration. The reports showed that in 2007 the company shipped chopped peanuts on July 18 and 24 after salmonella was confirmed by private lab tests.

FDA officials earlier had said Peanut Corp. waited for a second test to clear peanut butter and peanuts that initially tested positive for salmonella. But the agency amended its report, noting that the Georgia plant actually shipped some products before receiving the second test and sold others even after confirming salmonella.

A Peanut Corp. lawyer said the company is investigating and had no comment on the latest FDA findings. The company previously said it "categorically denies any allegations" that it sought lab results that would put its products in a favorable light.

Details of the privately held company have been slow to turn up, and what has come out hasn't been from Parnell. He has repeatedly declined to speak to reporters.

Parnell's friends and business partners described him as a hardworking, soft-spoken man who had a good rapport with the dozens of contacts he made over the years.

"He had a good reputation," said Jeffrey Pope, a peanut farmer who has done business with Parnell's Virginia plant. "People respected him. He's been in the industry for more than 30 years and he's been a mainstay."

Southwest Georgia peanut industry officials say Parnell didn't spend much time in the state, instead leaving the day-to-day dealings to others.

His reputation earned him a vaunted spot on the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Peanut Standards Board, which is charged with helping the government establish quality and handling standards for the nation's peanuts.

But several board members said they were unaware Parnell was on the panel, and some said the board rarely met. When they did, it was often by teleconference.

Parnell was removed from the board Thursday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Peanut Corp. was suspended from participating in government contract programs for at least a year.

The company has said in statements that it is deeply concerned.

"The product recalls issued by our company continue to expeditiously remove all potentially harmful products from the marketplace, in the best interest of the public's health and safety," a statement midweek said.

(AP)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of this story.

ChoicePoint reaches settlement with states

Alpharetta-based ChoicePoint Inc. says it will tighten security as part of a legal settlement reached with 43 states and the District of Columbia.

The agreement ends one of the biggest lawsuits against the consumer data provider that stemmed from a 2005 security breach that exposed thousands of consumers' personal information.

As part of the settlement, spokesman Chuck Jones says ChoicePoint will do a better job of vetting companies that want access to the data it collects and verifies.

For example, Jones says ChoicePoint will "not just take their word for it that they are a business, not just accept a photocopy of a business license, but actually send an individual to their place of business so that everyone can be assured it is a business that has a valid reason to view a consumer's data."

ChoicePoint will also pay $500,000 for consumer education in the states involved in the lawsuit.

Georgia is not one of those states. Jones says ChoicePoint has briefed the state attorney general's office on the security upgrades the company has made since the break-in.

New air service to Columbus

The Eclipse 500 is part of a new airplane category called "very light jets," and carries three passengers at speeds up to 425 mph — faster than the average propeller plane its size. (Wilfredo Lee/AP file)

A regional business air-carrier has just added Columbus to its roster of destinations in Georgia and across the southeast. DayJet bills itself as the world's first per-seat, on-demand jet service.

The carrier currently serves 45 destinations across the southeast, catering to business travelers able to pay premium prices. For example, a hop between just-added destinations, Columbus and Savannah, runs between $300 and $1,000 dollars.

While DayJet is aimed chiefly at Columbus's executive clientèle like AFLAC and Synovus, Georgia Third District Congressman Lynn Westmoreland says the increased flight options will bolster smaller industries, as well:

"With the hassle of airports and major hubs, now, we just think this is going to be the access for a lot of businesses; some of these businesses in outlying areas to have a chance of promoting business and getting people to come to their area, because they'll now have this transportation for people within the business."

Westmoreland, who sits on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the aviation subcommittee says Ft. Benning's planned expansion will also benefit from the increased air traffic.

The training post is expected to see over 30,000 troops and dependents moving to the area over the next three years, as part of the Army's base relocation project:

"With the expansion of Ft. Benning, and all the things that Ft. Benning is doing, and the armor division coming down, and the new infantry museum... we just think that there needs to be just a little bit better regional service to the Columbus area. I think, right now, Delta has maybe two flights a day."

Westmoreland says DayJet may create a market more attractive to carriers like Delta, Airtran or Southwest.

A company spokesman says they'll be announcing other Georgia destinations in coming weeks.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of transportation issues.

Cessna: $24 M plant in Columbus

Governor Sonny Perdue, Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington,
Chamber of Commerce, and Cessna officials loft a shovel of
dirt at Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony. (Dave Bender)

Wichita, Kan.,-based aircraft maker Cessna plant to build a $24 million plant in Columbus.

The plant expects to employ 150 workers, and joins two other existing Cessna facilities located at a nearby industrial park that employ 600 workers, according to company officials.

The new site is on a 40-acre tract of land at the Muscogee Technology Park, which the city acquired in a land swap with Ft. Benning, immediately to the south. The company says it needs the new facility meet the increasing demand for their business jets.

The plant will make rudders, flaps, ailerons and other mechanical parts for business jets, a company official told GPB News.

Governor Sonny Perdue touted the company role in the state at a groundbreaking ceremony:

"Cessna has already proved to be a great corporate citizen here and a serious marketplace competitor, and we're proud that you've committed to expanding the part of your workforce and the part of your business here and securing your position once again in our Georgia family."

Many of the employees will be graduates of a special, state-funded Cessna training program at Columbus Technical College.

The $11 million, 100,000-square-foot facility is expected to be completed by August 2008, according to company officials.

Click here for more GPB coverage of Columbus business and aviation news.

Governor bullish on GA economy

Governor Sonny Perdue was decidedly optimistic about the economic health of the state, as he addressed business leaders at the 25th annual Economic Forecast Luncheon in Atlanta today. And, although UGA economists predict a rocky start to the new year, the state's chief executive officer says he's bullish on Georgia's economy.

However, Perdue was careful to balance his optimism with a bit of caution.

"We cannot stick our heads in the sands and assume that the housing troubles may not affect Georgia. We'll always have challenges in the airline industry. But our economy is dynamic, it will follow and lead the national economy in many ways."

Experts at UGA's Terry College of Business say despite this year's record breaking - and costly -- drought, the state's economy will continue to outpace the national average. Just not by as much as in previous years. A spokesperson for UGA's business school, says the state can expect an economic growth rate of 1.1 percent in 2008 versus a 1.3 percent growth rate for 2007.

Perdue opens Georgia business center in China

Governor Sonny Perdue is continuing his week-long trip in China. Perdue and the delegation from the state yesterday cut the ribbon on the Beijing Georgia Business Advisory Center. The hope is to spearhead business development between Georgia and China. The 60-member delegation returns home on the weekend.

Business booming at state's ports

Business is brisk at the state's four ports, as record-setting numbers reflect their growing contribution to the state's economy.

The Georgia Ports Authority says records are being set at each of the state's four port terminals. Last year, the ports of Savannah, Brunswick, Bainbridge and Columbus collectively handled more than 21 million tons of cargo. At the Port of Savannah, business is up nearly 15 percent for the fiscal year ending 2007, with more than 2 million containers going through Savannah during the same period.

Robert Morris is with the Georgia Ports Authority. Fueling Savannah's growth says Morris, is a weak U-S dollar coupled with a growing international demand for Georgia made products. But, there are other reasons as well.

"The port of Savannah has been able to have the labor and infrastructure needed to make more international shippers want to come in and out of Georgia."

Savannah is now the fourth busiest and fastest growing container terminal in the United States. And, it's the east coast entry point for such major names as Target and Ikea. The state's ports and terminals provide nearly 300-hundred thousand jobs and contribute nearly 15 million dollars to the state's economy.

Columbus Airport seeking new carriers, businesses

Columbus Metropolitan Airport wants to revitalize regularly scheduled air traffic, and boost business. They're trying to get American Airlines back, after a decade's absence.

Currently, Atlantic Southeast Airlines, which serves Delta Air Lines, is the only regularly-scheduled carrier servicing Columbus, with just a few flights a day.

The airport commission is trying to revitalize the flagging facility and is weighing going ahead with comprehensive plan to bring long-term lease businesses to the facility.

Don Cook, one of five airport commissioners, who currently chairs the group, says they are aiming high, and have a good business case:

“We don't get a conversation with United, we don't get a conversation with Allegiance [Air], we don't get a conversation with US Airways or American Airlines if we can't build that business case... the facts say we can support three to four airlines.”

Cook says that they are seeking commercial development of the area, and are weighing several development proposals.

He says they are in intensive talks with American Airlines, and - if talks go according to their plan – expects flights by year's end.

“From June to July would be the decision-making process for American Airlines, and the first flight – if all the numbers go well – would land in December 2007.”

Governor leads Georgia delegation into China

Governor Sonny Perdue is in China this morning, kicking-off a week-long trip with state business, academic and government officials. The delegation took Delta’s first daily non-stop flight to Shanghai yesterday morning. After starting the trip in Shanghai, the delegation will go to Beijing where the Governor will open Georgia’s Business Advisory Center. Perdue’s intention is to fortify Georgia’s business ties with China. The country is already Georgia’s second-largest export destination with 1.6 billion dollars in goods in 2007.

Chico's Expands to northeast Georgia

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.”

In order to expand its facilities in Winder, Chico’s purchased the former Hagemeyer Building on Barrow Industrial Parkway. The 300,000-square-foot building, which is close to the current Chico’s distribution center, will house an additional distribution facility. When the expansion is completed by year-end, there will be more than 450 full-time Chico’s employees in Barrow County. Employment opportunities at Chico’s Winder Distribution Center will be posted on their website, www.chicos.com .

Chico’s located a distribution center in Barrow County in 2002 and expanded that facility in 2004 and 2006. In 2006 the company also opened an adjacent call center to service its direct-to-consumer business for its Chico’s, White House | Black Market and Soma Intimates brands.

“We are fortunate in having the opportunity to purchase this nearby facility that will enable us to expand our current distribution operations, providing sufficient capacity to serve our needs through 2016,” said Jeffrey A. Jones, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Chico’s FAS.

“We welcome Chico’s third major expansion of its facilities in Barrow County since 2002,” said Linda Moore, VP of the Barrow Economic Development Council. “Chico’s is an excellent corporate citizen and I know our residents are grateful in these economic times for the increase in jobs and investment.”

Susie Haggard, project manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, assisted the company in its location.

###

About the company

Chico’s FAS Inc. is a women's specialty retailer of private branded, sophisticated, casual-to-dressy clothing, intimates, complementary accessories, and other non-clothing gift items. The Company operates specialty stores in 48 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico. The company’s brands include Chico’s, White House | Black Market and Soma Intimates, which together operate more than 1,000 stores in addition to catalog and e-ecommerce operations.

(Governor's Office News Release)

Karen Handel Files for Governor

Secretary of State Karen Handel will seek the Governor's office in 2010. The announcement came today via press release:

Atlanta – Karen Handel has officially filed the necessary paperwork to form a campaign committee to seek the office of Governor of Georgia in 2010.



Handel said, “After prayerful consideration and with the support of my husband Steve, I have decided to run for Governor. I am humbled by the level of support I am receiving from all across Georgia and I'm looking forward to the campaign.



“Our next Governor will face many difficult challenges. I look forward to meeting those challenges with exciting new ideas and a vision that will put us on the path to growth and prosperity.”



Handel also announced that Fred Cooper will serve as Campaign Chairman. “Fred Cooper is recognized as one of the great leaders of the Republican Party and in the Georgia business community. I am fortunate to consider him a great friend and I am honored to have him as chairman of our campaign,” Handel said.



Cooper said, “Karen Handel possesses the qualities that are so important in public service – absolute integrity, exceptional experience, remarkable intelligence, and strong, fair leadership. She has consistently demonstrated those qualities….as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor; as Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners; and as Secretary of State.



“She is ready to be Governor; she will be an excellent Governor; I am proud to be on her team,” Cooper added.



Karen Handel biographical information:



Karen Handel is currently serving as the first Republican Secretary of State. She previously served in elective office as Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners. In the business community she has served as President and CEO of the North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, and held executive positions with CIBA Vision and KPMG. Karen has also served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Sonny Perdue, and in the White House to Marilyn Quayle. She lives in Roswell with her husband Steve.

Fred Cooper biographical information:

Fred Cooper is a longtime leader in the Georgia business community and the Republican Party of Georgia. He has served as State Chairman of the Georgia Republican Party, as Georgia State Chairman of former President George H.W. Bush’s campaigns and as Georgia General Chairman for President George W. Bush, who chose Mr. Cooper to be Chairman of the G-8 Summit Host Committee for the G-8 Summit held in 2004 in Sea Island, GA.

Mr. Cooper is Chairman of Cooper Capital, LLC, a private investment firm, which he founded in 1998. Previously, Mr. Cooper was Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CooperSmith, Inc., an Atlanta based company which produced and distributed a variety of baked foods, primarily under the trademark Sunbeam, throughout most of the Southeast and New England. In 1998, CooperSmith was acquired by The Earthgrains Company (now Sara Lee).

Mr. Cooper has held several executive and legal positions, including Vice Chairman, President, Executive Vice-President and General Counsel, at Flowers Industries, Inc., a Fortune 500, New York Stock Exchange Company.

Mr. Cooper is 66 years old, resides in Atlanta, Georgia, and he and his wife Helen have two married sons and five grandchildren.

Sumter County tornado aid tops $11M

Path of March 1 tornado through Americus, GA.
Click on image for larger view. (Dave Bender)
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA) say that over $11.1 million in federal disaster aid has been approved for area residents, The Americus Times-Recorder reports.

The Disaster Loan Outreach Center located in Sumter County will close Wednesday, May 2. The center was set up in the wake of the lethal tornado that mauled Americus and other areas in southwestern Georgia on March 1.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), in a press release urges disaster victims to "visit the Center before the closing to obtain one-on-one assistance and information about SBA's disaster assistance program."

The Center is located at:
John Pope Industrial Center - Business Expansion Department.
South Georgia Technical College
900 South GA Tech Parkway
Americus, GA 31709
Open: Monday-Wednesday
Hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closes: Wednesday, May 2 at the close of business

More information about the SBA's Disaster Loan Programs is available here: http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance

Overturned vehicle at Sumter Regional Hospital,
ravaged by tornado's winds.
Click on image for larger view. (Dave Bender)

FEMA aid for twister-struck counties

The twister's aftermath along Eisenhower Parkway, Macon, May 12th, 2008. (Josephine Bennet)

President George W. Bush on Friday approved a Federal Disaster Declaration for the 14 counties that Governor Sonny Perdue requested aid for following the Mother's Day tornadoes and severe thunderstorms on May 11-12.

“I am grateful to President Bush and FEMA Director Paulison for their quick action in offering assistance,” Perdue said. “This Federal Disaster Declaration will broaden our capability to recover from these devastating storms.”

Individual assistance is now available to disaster victims in 10 counties: Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs.

Bush also designated that Bibb, Carroll, Crawford, Emanuel, Glynn, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, Treutlen, Twiggs and Wilkinson counties will all be able to receive federal funds to help offset 75 percent the cost of the initial emergency response, debris removal and restoration of damaged public facilities.

Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration will also be available to cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance, according to a statement from the Governor's Office.

Perdue made the request May 16 for a federal declaration after touring the areas and reviewing preliminary damage assessment figures.

Residents and business owners in Bibb, Carroll, Douglas, Emanuel, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Laurens, McIntosh, and Twiggs counties who sustained losses can begin applying for assistance by registering online at http://www.fema.gov/ or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired.

The toll-free telephone numbers will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.

Click here and here for more GPB News coverage of the severe weather that struck much of central Georgia on Mother's Day.

Home Depot sells division for 10.3 billion

Atlanta-based Home Depot says it will sell its wholesale distribution business to a group of private equity firms--price tag of 10.3 billion dollars. Company officials indicated they plan to use proceeds of the sale to buy back shares of Home Depot. The division being sold-off focuses on serving contractors, homebuilders and other business customers. The world's largest home improvement chain wants to concentrate on its' core retail business.

Governor's Lawsuit Bill Not Immune From Critique

At the beginning of this session, Governor Sonny Perdue said drug companies that make Food and Drug Administration approved products should be immune from civil lawsuits. Perdue believes that would help foster drug and bio tech business in the state at a time when the economic slowdown is crunching most budgets around the nation.

A proposal modeled on Perdue's vision was introduced earlier this week. SB 101 reads, in part:

"A manufacturer or seller shall be immune from civil liability for any claim based on strict liability for a defect in the design of a drug or device if the drug or device was approved for safety and efficacy by the FDA."

Supporters say it will help spur growth in the sector.

But consumer advocate group Georgia Watch disagrees with that claim. They cite a Michigan law that, according to an aide of Sen. John Gleason, has driven business away. “This bill was touted in Michigan as a job creator,” said John LaMacchia in a Georgia Watch statement. “However, since its enactment, the presence of pharmaceutical companies has shrunk. The large Pfizer facility in Ann Arbor down-sized and no new companies are moving in,” he said.

Of course, business all across Michigan has diminished. The state's unemployment rate is in the double digits.

Georgia Watch head Allison Wall makes another argument.

“This bill lets drug companies off the hook, plain and simple, even if the product hurts or kills someone. Georgians would have no recourse, no hope of accountability, period.”

It's been argued by proponents of similar proposals that because the FDA approves a drug, liability for the product's safety should rest with the agency.

Expos Aim To Spur Georgia Business, Housing Industries

Navigating a tough economy in the world of small business and the housing industry is the focus of a series of expos running through Saturday.

The events are designed as a type of one-stop shopping for entrepreneurs, realtors and bankers, among others. Organized by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, the aim is to connect those groups with the latest information and tools from the local, state, and federal levels.

Yancey Gulley is with Athens Technical College, one of several schools hosting the expos:

"There will be booths from small business, government to government assistance, and housing assistance. And then throughout the day, we’ll have workshops going on as well."

Athens Tech, along with tech schools in Atlanta and Calhoun are staging expos Saturday from 9-to-5. Events are wrapping-up today in Warner Robins, Hinesville, and Albany.