State Water Planning Takes Shape

State environmental officials are underway with development of water planning in Georgia. Eleven experts have been selected to serve on the state’s water planning advisory panel. They include scientists from the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, among others. They are joined by geological and environmental researchers. The group aims to help Georgia deal with a wide array of challenges with water, including the growing metro Atlanta region, plans to build new reservoirs, and how restrictions help deal with times of drought.

Biomass Plants to Boost Rural Georgia

A power company that serves four million Georgians is investing in renewable energy by building two biomass plants in the state. For two rural communities in south Georgia, it's a boost to the

Oglethorpe Power plans to build biomass plants in Appling and Warren Counties. The company hopes to break ground by 2011 pending state permits. Officials estimate it will create 250 temporary construction jobs at each site.

Once built, each plant would be fueled by wood and employ about 40 people. It would have a ripple effect on the local economy, says Dale Atkins with the Appling County Development Authority. "It's going to have a tremendous impact on our forest industry. Timber land is 70 percent in the county... this will create 500 jobs in the forest industry."

These counties were chosen in part because they are wood baskets. Company officials say the plants should come on line by 2015, and they're considering a third site in Echols County..

Fewer Homeless, But Not Enough Shelter

A federal report shows Georgia's large homeless population shrank between 2007 and 2008, but found there was not enough shelter space available statewide and more than half of Georgia's homeless go unsheltered. The 2008 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress, issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Thursday, found there were 19,095 homeless people living in Georgia in 2008. That's down from 19,639 in 2007. The report also found Georgia was one of only eight states where the majority of homeless were unsheltered. It found 54 percent of Georgia's homeless were typically unsheltered, but said warm weather may encourage homeless to sleep outdoors. According to the report, there are 13,936 beds available for homeless statewide.

(Associated Press)

Federal Government Considers Savannah River Site Near Augusta for Mercury Storage

The federal government is considering the Savannah River Site near Augusta, along with six other sites, for the storage of more than 10,000 metric tons of mercury.

Officials are searching for a site to store the mercury, as federal law will ban the sale or export of the element by 2013, and require the federal government to store it.

Mercury is produced in the manufacturing of caustic soda and chlorine at a handful of plants in the U.S. It's also a by-product in gold mining, and in recycling and waste recovery.

Mercury is controversial, since it causes developmental disabilities in children, and also harm fetal development.

It's already a sore spot in Augusta, where environmental groups have been calling for the Olin Corporation to stop using the element in the manufacture of chlorine. A bill in Congress also seeks to eliminate mercury from the few chlorine plants that still use it. Olin, meanwhile, has maintained that is mercury use its safe.

The Savannah River Site is a massive federal entity that processes nuclear materials near Augusta.

The U.S. Department of Energy, meanwhile, will hold a public comment period on the proposal to store mercury. There will be a public meeting in North Augusta, South Carolina on July 30.

For more information, click here.

Georgia on List for Electric Car Plant

A South Korean company says Georgia is one of five states it is considering for an electric vehicle manufacturing plant. It could create 2,600 jobs over the next five years.

CT&T Company Ltd. says it plans to decide by September among sites in Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina and California.

CT&T plans to build a North American headquarters, a research and development center and several manufacturing facilities, which could be spread among multiple states or consolidated on one site.

Officials say they would evaluate sites based on the presence of a skilled work force, the transportation infrastructure and the incentives offered.

GSU Accused of Anti-Muslim Bias

A Georgia State University professor and a former student accuse the institution of being anti-Muslim. They say GSU retaliated against them after they complained about racist remarks from faculty member.

Georgia State professor Dona Stewart said that last August one of her instructors who is Muslim- American asked her what to do about these racial remarks from another professor: "Things like was she carrying any bombs under her Islamic head scarf these were outrageous comments in public.”

Stewart told Selma Shelbayah to file an official complaint to the department dean. After that the professor apologized to the student, but a day later, Stewart said that the dean told her to fire Shelbayah, and she refused.

"I mean at that point, you have to realize, she’s a state employee. She’s under contract," said Stewart. "If I had removed her from that position without cause without due process, I would have committed an illegal act and I could have been held accountable for it."

Stewart believes because she didn’t comply, she herself was punished academically. At the time, she was the director of the Middle Eastern Institute. She’s since resigned.

"All institutional development of the institute came to a halt," Stewart said, "I was told there was no energy for Middle Eastern studies on campus."

Both Stewart and Shelbayah filed separate discrimination complaints with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last year.

GSU is complying with the investigation and refutes the charges. GSU spokesperson Andrea Jones said, "In no way was retaliation taken against Stewart or the student as a result of the complaint."

Jones said that because of federal privacy guidelines, the college can't provide more details, but she pointed out that despite Stewart’s resignation... "She is still an employee of GSU and in April was promoted to full professor and had the dean’s full support on that."

Meanwhile, Stewart and Shelbayah’s lawyer James Radford, said it doesn’t look like the EEOC is going to take action. "They’re not at a point that they are going to act to enforce Title Seven," said Radford. "They’re not going to go to court.

Title 7 prohibits discrimination at the workplace. So, Radford said that his clients will sue if GSU doesn’t settle.

$16 M Awarded To Boost Georgia Business

More than $16-million in grant money is headed for boosting economic development around the state.

The money comes from the OneGeorgia Authority, which uses tobacco settlement money to help rural counties and towns attract new companies. The money also helps expand existing business and boost public infrastructure.

Of the several counties getting money, four are for economic projects connected to the new KIA plant—about $7-million combined.

The Governor’s office says the grant money awarded to all projects statewide will lead to the creation of more than 2,000 jobs combined over three years.

Nuclear Companies Near Augusta Say They Need Thousands of Workers

A new study says the nuclear industry could potentially create thousands of new jobs in the Augusta area throughout the next decade.

The region's major employers, including companies who manage operations at commercial nuclear power plants in Georgia and South Carolina as well as a federal site that processes nuclear materials near Augusta, say they will need 10,000 jobs.

The jobs would range from nuclear chemists and computer engineers to plant operators and sheet metal workers.

The study comes as power companies seek to meet rising demand for electricity with nuclear energy. That includes the construction of nuclear power plants would be among the first built in the U.S. in decades. State public service commission officials in both Georgia and South Carolina have already okayed new reactors, but the companies building them are still seeking approval from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Construction of a controversial new nuclear fuel plant near Augusta is also underway, although no power companies have committed yet to buying the fuel.

The Savannah River Site Community Reuse Organization commissioned the study through Booz Allen, a technology consulting firm. The organization has said it is looking to develop a strategy between private and public entities to meet the growing demand for nuclear workers. The organization is also working to lease a portion of privately owned land at the site for development, possibly for a nuclear energy park or reactors that would be used for reactors.

Across the U.S., meanwhile, the nuclear industry has said it is looking to step up the recruitment and education of a new generation of workers to meet the emerging demand.

Taxpayers Funded $13 M in NCR Grants

ATLANTA (AP) - State documents show that Georgia lured the world's leading provider of ATMs to move its headquarters from Ohio with $13 million in grants funded by taxpayers. The cost of Georgia's grants to NCR Corp. is outlined in documents obtained by The Associated Press through an open records request. The grants are part of an incentive package of about $100 million to NCR. Most of the incentives come in the form of tax credits and breaks. The state is funneling the money through development authorities in Fayette and Gwinnett counties. The grants come as the state is slashing its budget to meet a shortfall. NCR announced last week it's moving its headquarters to Duluth, Ga. from Dayton, Ohio.

(Associated Press)

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)

ATL Demolishes Last of Large Public Housing

During the Great Depression, Atlanta was the first city to build public housing. Today, it took a step towards becoming the first major city to completely eliminate it. A demolition crew began tearing down the city’s last large public housing project called Bowen Homes.

When Bowen was created 45 years ago, it started as a model development, but later become an enclave of poverty, drugs and crime.

Renee Glover, the president of the Atlanta Housing Authority, says, "On reflection, there's no question that this is the right direction, and Atlanta, the families will be the better for it."

Bowen's 900 former residents have found new housing. Most use a voucher system where they pay the same as they did when they lived here.

Today’s demolition is symbolic of what’s happening with public housing in major cities across the state. It’s a national effort to get rid of large stacks of rows upon rows of the 1960’s buildings and to create mixed income developments in their place. Georgia is one of the pioneers in this effort. Atlanta wants to be the first to do away with all of them by 2010.

State Uses Tax Credit Bill To Land NCR

A new state law heavy with tax breaks helped lure technology equipment-maker NCR to Georgia.

NCR, the company that makes equipment including ATM’s and cash registers, is relocating its headquarters from Ohio to metro Atlanta. With it come 1,250 jobs to Duluth, along with another 870 to Columbus for a new production plant.

The deal was sealed with a more than $60-million incentive package--most of which used the so-called Mega Tax Credit bill signed by Governor Perdue last month. Georgia’s offer doubled that on the table from Dayton-Ohio officials.

Sam Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, says yes--the state’s investment outlay is large, but two lawmakers who sponsored the bill ensure its viability:

"Senator Ron Stephens and Representative Larry O’Neal scrutinized the numbers from a payback point-of-view to make sure that this was more than justified even in an economic downturn."

The process to lobby NCR reportedly began in February, around the time the legislation was introduced to state House lawmakers.

Officials with the Department of Economic Development say NCR is eligible for up to $56.9 million over five years. But that amount will be offset by a net gain of $49 million from items like income and sales taxes, to be felt over 10 years. Officials say added value to the deal for NCR includes global access through the airport, consistent population and workforce growth, and access to multiple university resources.

200 Jobs Coming

ATLANTA—Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Chicken of the Sea International plans to return tuna canning to the United States and open a domestic canning operation in Lyons. The company will create 200 jobs and invest $20 million.

“We are proud that Georgia will be home to Chicken of the Sea’s first domestic canning operation,” said Governor Perdue. “Our state’s strong workforce and extensive transportation network make it a natural choice for food processing plants that want to keep costs down and reach their markets quickly and efficiently.”

Chicken of the Sea is bringing canning operations to a 200,000-square-foot facility in Lyons, where workers will process frozen tuna loins into shelf stable Chicken of The Sea canned tuna to be shipped throughout the United States. The company expects to begin operations in October and will utilize Georgia Quick Start to train its employees.

“State and local officials in Lyons presented us with a tremendous opportunity that ensures our ability to compete in the marketplace for the long term,” said Shue Wing Chan, President of Chicken of the Sea International. “The state of Georgia provided a business development package that makes for a smooth transition. We expect this new canning operation will ensure Chicken of the Sea will remain viable and competitive, and we are looking forward to being part of the Lyons community.”

“We are extremely excited that Chicken of the Sea realizes the great potential of opening a major facility in Toombs County and has decided to join our family of respected companies,” said Sam Polk, Chairman of the Toombs County Development Authority. “The decision reflects on Toombs County’s efforts to improve economic opportunities in our region. The jobs and investment will greatly assist in our efforts to strengthen the industrial base. On behalf of the Toombs County Development Authority, I thank Chicken of the Sea for the positive contribution to our citizens.”

Chris Pumphrey, project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, assisted the company in locating a site for its operation.

About the company

A seafood category leader, Chicken of the Sea provides a variety of shelf-stable seafood products, including tuna, salmon, crab, shrimp, oysters, clams, mackerel and sardines. The Chicken of the Sea brand and famous Mermaid icon are among the most recognized brands in America. For more information, visit www.chickenofthesea.com

(Governor's Office News Release)

Bio Industry: Gov. Perdue's Our Guy

Just in from the Governor's Press Office: Gov. Sonny Perdue has been named Bio Governor of the year. That award come's from the Biotechnology Industry Organization, or, cleverly enough, BIO.

The group hailed Perdue's efforts to grow bio-sciences in Georgia. Perdue is probably best known for his push to limit liability lawsuits against Georgia-based bio companies. The group, however, also noted other efforts in a statement. Here's a sample:

“Governor Perdue’s support of biotechnology has been vital for our industry’s success in Georgia” said Jim Greenwood, President and CEO of BIO. “He has been a stalwart advocate of the biosciences in Georgia and truly understands the promise of our industry to provide revolutionary therapies and cures for patients, increase agricultural sustainability and develop alternative fuels. In addition, I would like to personally thank the Governor and his team at the Department of Economic Development for being such great partners in helping to plan and organize the upcoming 2009 BIO International Convention.”

You can find the entire announcement here.

Man Charged With Ponzi Scheme

A Marietta real estate attorney has been accused of cheating more than 125 investors out of $28 million. He allegedly stole the money by promising returns of up to 15 percent by placing their money in real estate financing and development. Robert P. Copeland was charged today with operating a Ponzi Scheme. Prosecutors say he raised more than $40 million since 2004 from hundreds of investors worldwide. Some were elderly and used their retirement funds.

(Associated Press)

Miley Cyrus Heading to Georgia

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Savannah will be the filming location for the upcoming Disney film, The Last Song. The movie is expected to bring approximately 250 jobs to the state.

“I signed the 2008 Entertainment Industry Investment Act in support of our efforts to recruit film, music and digital entertainment projects to Georgia,” said Governor Perdue. “These industries are thriving and growing, boosting the state’s economy and employing thousands of Georgians.”

The script was written by noted author Nicholas Sparks. The production of the film will take place in Savannah and other nearby coastal locales. Julie Anne Robinson will direct The Last Song which is expected to start production in Georgia in mid-June and be completed by mid-August, 2009. Producer Dara Weintraub also produced another film in Savannah called The Clearing, which starred Robert Redford, Willem Dafoe and Helen Mirren.

Georgia’s new, more competitive incentives offer a 20 percent tax credit for qualified productions, which are then eligible for an additional 10 percent tax credit if they include an animated Georgia promotional logo within the finished product. The incentive covers more than just the film and television industries. The program also offers credits for commercials and music videos, as well as the first incentive in the nation to cover other areas of development including animation, interactive entertainment and video game development.

Nine feature films, two television series and one television pilot were produced in Georgia in the first quarter of 2009. A Sony Pictures produced television series began production in Georgia in April and three feature films are currently in production. Seven more feature films are slated for the state in the coming months.

The Film, Music and Digital Entertainment office, a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, assists local, national and international entertainment industries with expertise and resources. The staff points movie production companies to Georgia’s highly-trained crews, state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse locations. Georgia’s temperate climate and easy access afforded by Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, are also factors that attract the industry’s interest.

Since the inception of the office in 1973, more than 600 major motion pictures, independent films, television series and pilots, and TV movies have filmed on location in the state. As a result, over $5 billion dollars has been generated for the state’s economy.

Miley Cyrus is expected to star in the film.

(Governor's office news release)

Macon receiving federal housing money

Federal dollars will help Macon tear down blighted homes and get foreclosed properties off the market.
In 2008 Congress passed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act. Four-billion dollars of the money was doled out to states hit hard by the foreclosure crisis.
Cities like Augusta, Atlanta, Columbus and Savannah qualified to receive part of those funds, but Macon did not, according to the Director of Neighborhood Stabilization for the City of Macon, Jesse Gerwig-Moore.

"The state received in total from HUD about 155-million. About half of that amount, around 74-million or so, went directly to the entitlement communities who already received community development block grant funds and that's where Macon fell below the 2-million dollar threshold."

The city remained undeterred and applied for a 4-million dollar grant from HUD. They were approved this week. The city will use the money to tear down blighted homes and provide down payment assistance to those who purchase foreclosed properties.

Sine Die 2009 - Budget: Pass Transportation: FAIL

Last night, just before midnight, the 40th day of the Constitutionally mandated session came to a close.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate agreed to next year's budget by around two in the afternoon.

But for transportation - there just wasn't enough time to come to a consesus.

Lawmakers from both chambers held conference committee talks late into the night; but they failed to come up with agreement on how to fund the state's transportation network.

Leading talks in the House was Republican Vance Smith. His team of negotiators proposed a plan that would let voters decide if they wanted a statewide penny sales tax. If that vote failed, then the Senate's regional plan would take effect.

"The Senate just for some reason wouldn't along with that, so..."

House Democrats like Dubose Porter say they're disappointed with their Republican colleagues.

"Transportation's the #1 economic development issue facing the state and for the 2nd year in a row it failed because of a lack of leadership from this administration."

Both chambers did approve a bill that would overhaul the DOT and let the governor appoint a planning director. That bill now heads to Governor Sonny Perdue's desk.

New Interchange On Slate

The joint Georgia-South Carolina agency building a port on the Savannah River supports a new interchange on Interstate 95 to serve the terminal. The board of the Jasper Ocean Terminal Joint Project on Tuesday endorsed the $122 million interchange project. Officials say the interchange would create 4,000 construction jobs and open up hundreds of acres to commercial and residential development. The states are cooperating on a $500 million shipping terminal on the South Carolina side of the river just downstream from Savannah.

(Associated Press)

Push to Ease Stream Buffers

The Georgia Legislature is seeking to soften mandatory buffers aimed at protecting Georgia's waterways from pollution and development. The House voted 106-58 Thursday to remove the buffers around an untold number of unnamed tributaries - or ephemeral streams - that crisscross the state. State law provides for a 25 foot buffer along all streams and as much as 150 feet for watersheds providing drinking water. Supporters say many of the streams are little more than ditches and that the buffers restrict growth and hamper property rights. Critics say loosening rules could threaten the state's clean water.

(Associated Press)