WHO: The Georgia Chamber of Commerce

WHAT: The Georgia Chamber’s annual Rural Prosperity Summit assembles over 350 business leaders and elected officials to address economic challenges and opportunities that are critical to Georgia’s rural communities. During this two-day event, industry experts and economic development practitioners will facilitate inclusive discussions surrounding issues such as talent attraction and retention, infrastructure needs, local entrepreneurship and innovation, and accessible healthcare. This year’s agenda will provide opportunities to propose effective solutions that advance rural development and prosperity. Featured guests and speakers include: Georgia Chamber President & CEO, Chris Clark; Dennis Chastain, Georgia EMC President & CEO; Amy Carter, Deputy Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development; and more. Gubernatorial Candidates Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams have also been invited to attend. Media availability will be available for all who wish to partake.

WHEN: Wednesday, October 3, 2018, 1:00 P.M.-5:00 P.M.

Thursday, October 4, 2018, 7:30 A.M.-12:30 P.M.

WHERE: University of Georgia, Tifton Center Conference Center, 15 RDC Road, Tifton, Georgia 31794

MEDIA RSVP IS REQUIRED BY WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2018

CONTACT:              Neisha McGee, External Affairs Manager, (404) 223-2275, gmcgee@gachamber.com

About the Georgia Chamber of Commerce: As the state’s largest business organization, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce represents investors in every county of our state with a diverse cross-section of over 500 industry sectors. Our membership includes both small storefronts and large corporations-no matter the size or type of business, we provide proactive policy, aggressive advocacy and meaningful investor services that impact your bottom line. Our number one mission is keeping, growing and creating jobs to make Georgia a better state for business. We work to ensure economic competitiveness, innovative solutions to challenges that state faces, and a commitment to high quality of life.  The Georgia Chamber serves as a partner for local chambers across the state. While we have many of the same goals, the Georgia Chamber focuses on state-wide issues that impact Georgia’s entire business community.

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ATHENS — The policy-making bodies of GMA and ACCG met for the first time on Wednesday, Sept. 12 to discuss issues cities and counties have in common and how local leaders can work together to solve problems.

In an all-day session facilitated by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia, the city and county leaders identified common issues such as infrastructure funding, the opioid crisis and economic development.

“City and county officials serve the same people,” said GMA Legislative Policy Council Chairman Phil Best, mayor of Dublin and GMA First Vice President. “It benefits the taxpayers for city and county leaders to work together on as many issues as possible. And where we do have differences, we need to have strong relationships that let us work through those problems with respect and consideration for each other’s viewpoints.”

“ACCG’s work with our partners at the Georgia Municipal Association extends back decades but hosting the first-ever joint meeting between our respective policy councils is something that we believe will provide a significant benefit to counties and cities throughout the state,” said Oglethorpe County Chairman Billy Pittard who serves as Chair of ACCG’s Policy Council. “County and city officials have shared constituencies and face similar challenges when trying to provide services with limited or non-existent resources. Working together on mutual areas of concern will allow us to have a unified voice when lobbying on behalf of those we were elected to serve.”

“The strength of local government is dependent upon the collaborative efforts between all of its leaders and the entities they represent,” said ACCG President and Harris County Chairman Harry Lange. “The collaboration between ACCG and GMA on key policy issues is a true representation of that strength and, ultimately, the solid foundation that supports Georgia’s vibrant communities. I am excited about the future of our two organizations, both with new executive directors, and the benefits the citizens of the cities and counties of Georgia will reap from the cooperative efforts of ACCG and GMA.”

“Too often, the focus is on the issues that divide us,” said GMA Second Vice President Vince Williams, mayor of Union City. “This meeting reminded us of all the things we have in common, and how, by working together, we can accomplish many things for the betterment of Georgia.”

Based in Atlanta, GMA is a voluntary, non-profit organization that provides legislative advocacy, educational, employee benefit and consulting services to its 521 member cities.

ACCG is a nonprofit instrumentality of Georgia’s county governments. Formed in 1914 with 19 charter county members, today ACCG serves as the consensus building, training and legislative organization for all 159 county governments in the state.

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TIFTON, Ga. – The 22^nd annual Plains Peanut Festival is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22 in Plains, Georgia, home of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter. The event highlights the harvest of its cash crop, peanuts, which has big potential across the globe by providing a sustainable and nutritious product and fighting malnutrition. Georgia leads the nation in annual peanut production, accounting for nearly half of all the peanuts grown in the United States.

Farmers across the United States have begun harvesting peanuts, the sustainable crop that helps to replenish the soil with nutrients. Peanuts are also known for their health benefits. Peanuts contain more protein than any other nut and research continues to show that consuming a little less than a serving of peanuts a day is an effective way to reduce heart disease. Globally, peanuts are helping fight malnutrition by providing a therapeutic, ready-to-eat peanut product made in Fitzgerald, Georgia, from MANA Nutrition.

Festival events begin on Saturday at 8:00 a.m. with a One Mile Fun Run followed by a 5K road race. Mr. Peanut will be cheering on the runners in the Fun Run. Additional festivities throughout the day include free entertainment, historical and educational displays, food vendors, as well as arts and crafts booths.

The Peanut Institute, National Peanut Board, American Peanut Shellers Association, Georgia Peanut Commission, Planters, Jif, National Peanut Buying Points Association and Mars will display exhibits in the Planters Peanut Pavilion beginning at 9:00 a.m.

The parade will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, and the American Peanut Shellers Association will be honored as the Grand Marshall. The American Peanut Shellers Association is the oldest organization in the peanut industry and celebrates its 100^th anniversary this upcoming year. The association, based out of Albany, Georgia, was incorporated in 1919 and handles 90 percent of the peanuts grown in the United States.

SAM Shortline will have train rides and President and Mrs. Carter will be signing books. The festival street dance featuring Good Vibrations will perform live on Main Street beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Sponsors of this year’s peanut festival include American Blanching Company, American Peanut Shellers Association, Birdsong Peanuts, Georgia Federal-State Inspection, Georgia Peanut Commission, Golden Peanut & Tree Nuts, Hardy Farms, MANA Nutrition, Mars Company, National Peanut Board, National Peanut Buying Points Association, Planters/Heinz/Kraft, Premium Peanut, The J. M. Smucker Company and The Peanut Institute. The Plains Better Hometown Program coordinates the festival annually. For more information and to view a schedule of activities, visit the official website of the Plains Peanut Festival at www.plainsgeorgia.com.

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ATLANTA– September 13, 2018- The Council of State Chambers, (COSC) named the Georgia Chamber of Commerce the 2018 State Chamber of Year at its annual award ceremony held in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“I am proud to say for the second year the Georgia Chamber has been named Chamber of the Year by two accrediting organizations. Our success is the result of hard work and dedication of our investors, Governmental Affairs Council, Board Members, local chambers and staff who have been instrumental in our efforts to strengthen our organization and represent the state of Georgia as the largest business advocacy organization.”

The State Chamber of the Year recognizes member-chambers who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and measurable success over the course of the last year, legislative session, or election cycle in areas of achievement including, Public Policy, Political Engagement, Membership and Development, Best Communications Program, and Membership Services. The selection of the State Chamber of the Year is a thoroughly vetted, three-stage process consisting of application review, finalists interview, and awards ceremony in which finalists and recipients are selected by a panel of three experienced chamber professionals.

The Georgia Chamber was recognized for the success of their current 8 for 18 initiative, which serves as a statewide prosperity agenda and nonpartisan resource that seeks to inform elected officials, political candidates, and voters on a series of policy recommendations and issue areas that are critical to Georgia’s economic future. The Chamber has successfully used this 8 for 18 platform to showcase their top priorities for 2018, statewide endorsements, and candidate assessments taken by candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State.

The annual State Chamber of the Year award highlights innovative initiatives and best practices that advance state chamber’s mission and efforts to provide deserved recognition to state chambers and their leaders who have distinguished themselves by providing exceptional services and results for their members and communities.

For more information on the Georgia Chambers 8 for 18 initiative, visit www.8for18.com.

About the Georgia Chamber of Commerce

As the state’s largest business organization, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce represents investors in every county of our state with a diverse cross-section of over 500 industry sectors. Our membership includes both small storefronts and large corporations-no matter the size or type of business, we provide proactive policy, aggressive advocacy and meaningful investor services that impact your bottom line. Our number one mission is keeping, growing and creating jobs to make Georgia a better state for business. We work to ensure economic competitiveness, innovative solutions to challenges that state faces, and a commitment to high quality of life.  The Georgia Chamber serves as a partner for local chambers across the state. While we have many of the same goals, the Georgia Chamber focuses on statewide issues that impact Georgia’s entire business community.

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ATLANTA (September 12, 2018) | Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of the Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition (GSEC), a statewide advocacy group focused on ensuring the long-term viability and success of Georgia’s screen entertainment industry.

“The founding members of GSEC represent Georgia’s top industry and private sector leaders, coming together in a unique collaboration with Georgia’s deep crew base, united by their commitment to protect and promote the screen entertainment industry in our state,” said Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber. “With the incredible economic impact this industry has on our state, we’re proud to introduce GSEC as the unified, cohesive voice of the industry at the Capitol.”

“Georgia’s screen entertainment industry has become one of the most competitive in the world, thanks in large part to the leadership of Governor Deal and the General Assembly,” said Frank Patterson, GSEC Chair and President of Pinewood Atlanta Studios. “GSEC’s ultimate goal is to serve as the expert resource for policymakers as they steward the state’s successful tax credit program and develop legislation that will impact this industry and our partners.”

GSEC will advocate for policies that strengthen infrastructure and support workforce development within the screen entertainment industry. GSEC will also serve as a voice and resource for the Georgia owned and operated local businesses who provide services and products to the industry. “We’re proud to be part of the leadership shaping the future of this industry in Georgia,” said Steve Mensch, Vice-Chair of GSEC and President and General Manager of Studio Operations at Tyler Perry Studios. “The scale of private investment in production infrastructure in Georgia is indicative of the enormous potential for additional job creation and positive economic impact for all Georgians.”

GSEC seeks to educate policymakers and the general public about the tax credits that have made Georgia a very cost-effective and popular location for film, television, and digital media production. Bolstered by the 2008 Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act, Georgia earned the nation’s number one spot for feature film production and is currently number two in the world. The record 455 film and television productions shot in Georgia during FY 2018 represent a total economic impact of $9.5 billion, and $2.7 billion in direct spending.

The screen entertainment industry has contributed to the relocation or expansion of more than 300 new businesses within the state since 2010. Other media platforms such as eSports, video game development, digital animation, virtual reality/augmented reality, and mobile app development continue to round out and contribute to the overall success of Georgia’s screen entertainment industry.

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The Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition (GSEC) is the state’s leading advocate for film, television, and digital entertainment production at the Georgia state Capitol. An affiliate of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, GSEC advocates for public policy that positively impacts theentertainment industry, as well as the Georgia-grown businesses that serve the industry. GSEC’s 24 founding members represent the broad business and entertainment ecosystem.

The Executive Committee includes: Atlanta Metro Studios, Blackhall Studios, Georgia Chamber, IATSE Local 479, Pinewood Atlanta Studios & Tyler Perry Studios.

Members Include: Bento Box Entertainment, Cinelease, Columbus GA Film Commission, DeltaAirlines, Floyd County Productions, the Georgia Department of Economic Development- Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Office, (ex officio), Georgia Film Academy (ex officio), Georgia Game Developers Association, Georgia Film Tax Credit Fund, Georgia Power, Greenberg Traurig, Herc Entertainment Rentals, Lightnin Rentals, MBS Equipment Company, the Savannah Area Film Office, Synovus, Teamsters- Local 728, and Turner Broadcasting.

GSEC invites businesses, both directly and indirectly serving Georgia’s entertainment industry to join as a partner and fellow advocate at the Georgia State Capitol. For a full list of the founding members and additional information about GSEC leadership and advocacy efforts, visit www.GSEcoalition.com or contact Kelsey Moore, Executive Director, Georgia Screen Entertainment Coalition at kmoore@GSEcoalition.com.

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It’s no secret that the state of Georgia is the transportation hub of the Southeast. Atlanta was founded as the terminus of the Western and Atlantic railroad and the state’s transportation leadership legacy is clear: we now boast the world’s busiest airport; the fourth busiest port in the U.S.; the largest rail network in the Southeast; and the 12th largest air cargo hub in North America. Additionally, 80 percent of the U.S. population is within a two-day truck drive and Georgia interstates facilitate the movement of more than $620 billion of cargo each year.

Over the last decade, that momentum has increased dramatically as Georgia leaders have advanced important legislation to improve infrastructure. Since 2012, thirteen counties and four regions have passed local transportation project funding referenda to repair and expand local infrastructure.  In 2015, Governor Nathan Deal signed the Transportation Funding Act to provide predictable and sustainable revenue for the repair and maintenance of statewide roads and bridges. In May 2018, Governor Deal also signed legislation into law creating the Atlanta Region Transit Link Authority creating integrated transit planning for the 13- county Metro Atlanta area and opportunities for those counties to raise funds through transportation local optional sales taxes. Over the last eight years under the leadership of Governor Deal, Speaker David Ralston, and Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, the state has invested almost $300 million in the Savannah Harbor deepening project.

However, our state is growing – rapidly. By 2030, Georgia will experience an estimated 60% growth in port traffic; 16% energy demand growth; and 1.4 million more cars on our roads. Georgia’s population will grow by 19% and flights through Hartsfield Jackson International Airport will increase by 130,000.

Clearly, Georgia leaders must prioritize investment in infrastructure to keep up with this growth and remain competitive. Investments are needed to expand our freight and logistics network by completing the Savannah Harbor deepening project; improve the Port of Brunswick; expand Hartsfield Jackson International Airport cargo capacities; and build a plan to expand all our statewide freight assets. The expansion of broadband technologies is essential to economic development, health care, education, and public safety. Providing solutions that lead to improved economic opportunities including critical infrastructure needs that increase access to broadband, continues to be a priority for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.  As the quality of life and business climate are directly impacted by broadband connectivity, we must be intentional in our efforts to create an effective and sustainable solution in expanding broadband deployment.

We also must encourage infrastructure development through streamlining the regulatory framework and market-based incentives. Georgia can’t afford to be grounded by lagging infrastructure. Companies depend on the ability to move their products efficiently through the state. When businesses thrive, opportunities for employment and improved quality of life will abound for citizens.

It is also critical that people are able to move efficiently throughout our great state. There must be increased focus on growing and developing transit networks statewide. Strategic plans that include benchmarks for predictable commutes for commuters and job access for consumers must be developed and maintained to strategically prioritize investments. Georgia must increase mobility by driving down congestion, allowing individuals to spend more time at work, school, and home with their families.

Building and maintaining modern infrastructure is more than transportation. The state of Georgia must modernize investments in energy infrastructure to include a diverse mix of sustainable, reliable and affordable sources. Additionally, Georgia must continue to fund water management and conservation efforts to ensure long-term, statewide quality water access. Our state must have the necessary resources to support growth of existing businesses, attract new businesses and increase economic opportunities for Georgians.

Georgia has been named the number one state in the nation in which to do business for five consecutive years. To further this success, our state must prioritize investments in infrastructure that increase opportunities for mobility for Georgians. Put simply, infrastructure investment equals economic opportunity, and opportunity should define Georgia’s future.

This is the second in a series of eight opinion pieces by Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, on the Georgia Chamber’s 8 for ‘18 initiative. For more information on these issues and to see how candidates for statewide office responded to the Georgia Chamber questionnaire, visit 8for18.com

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Over the last decade, Georgia’s business climate has been highly ranked by a number of national publications. You have no doubt heard that Georgia has been ranked the Best State for Business for five years in a row. Private and public sector leaders have worked hard with Governor Deal to bring new investments and jobs, improving the quality of life for Georgians. To continue this prosperity, Georgia leaders must maintain the momentum and prioritize improvements in our business and legal climate. Keeping Georgia open for business leads off our discussion of the Georgia Chamber’s 8 for 18 initiative, which highlights the issues that our elected officials must address during the 2018 election cycle.

While Georgia has made great progress in criminal reform our neighboring states have taken steps to improve their civil judicial systems.  Entrepreneurs in Georgia are too often trapped in a legal system that hasn’t kept up with a fast-changing digital business world. While there is more work to do in the coming years, Georgia voters have the opportunity this November to make great strides in improving our legal fairness by voting Yes on Amendment #2 to create a statewide business court. A statewide business court reduces litigation costs by removing complex, time consuming cases from the general docket and allows this opportunity to be available to all Georgia business owners, regardless of zip code. Statewide business courts already exist in the Metro Atlanta area and we need to expand this opportunity to the rest of Georgia. Businesses of all sizes will benefit from a system that helps speed up complex litigation between two businesses and lets our existing courts focus on serving everyday citizens.

But our legal climate isn’t the only area where Georgia can make improvements. The state made significant progress this year when Congress and the General Assembly both passed legislation that reduced federal and state income taxes at the personal and corporate levels. Taxes are a bottom line issue for companies of all sizes, and we’ve been thrilled to see so many Georgia companies immediately pass these tax cuts on to their employees through bonuses, raises and by further investing in their communities. A strong tax policy environment will help businesses of all sizes make long-term investments that will help Georgia for generations to come. Even with these successes, there are still issues that have the potential to slow down our economy while helping maintain Georgia’s strong credit rating.

Small businesses constantly tell us they are frustrated by the level of government regulations that make it hard to start or expand their operations. Our regulatory environment should encourage innovation. Small businesses want to work to remove outdated mandates and regulations allowing authentic, innovative ideas to flourish in our state. Permitting and licensing reform should be pursued to make it easier for individuals to transition into new careers, and government services should be modernized to lower costs and improve these services. Our systems should be pathways to opportunities, not obstacles to prosperity.

Georgia’s success has been the result of the partnership between the private and public sectors, providing consistent leadership and deliberate actions. To continue our success and further prosperity for more Georgians, our leaders must stay focused on the issues that matter most to ensure we remain competitive. Our opportunities are numerous when we work together to bridge gaps and find common ground for success.

This is the first of a series of opinion pieces by Chris Clark, President & CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, on the Georgia Chamber’s 8 for 18 initiative. For more information on these issues and to see how candidates for statewide office responded to the Georgia Chamber questionnaire, visit www.8for18.com.

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Atlanta, GA – August 30, 2018 – The Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of several candidates running for state House and Senate in the upcoming General Election. Endorsees include Matt Bentley­—House District 40, Alex Kaufman—House District 51, Bonnie Rich—House District 97, Noel Williams —House District 148, Greg Dolezal— Senate District 27, Matt Reeves—Senate District 48, Randy Robertson—Senate District 29, Donna Sheldon—House District 107, and Ken Wright —House District 79.

“As the advocacy arm for businesses statewide, the Chamber is committed to electing strong, pro-business candidates for office who are dedicated to improving the quality of life and business climate,” said Chris Clark, Georgia Chamber President & CEO. “We look forward to working with each candidate if elected to build on Georgia’s legacy as the best state for business.”

“The Chamber is a long-time proponent of policies that advance legislation to secure economic growth and competitiveness. We are proud to endorse candidates who are proven allies of the business community,” said David Raynor, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs. “I am confident in their ability to represent Georgia businesses of every size, sector, and region with principled leadership.”

As the unified voice of the business community, the Georgia Chamber is a nonpartisan organization that is dedicated to working with elected officials to ensure a future of economic growth for Georgia businesses, workers, and families. For more information about Georgia Chamber endorsements, visit www.gachamber.com.

About the Georgia Chamber of Commerce

As the state’s largest business organization, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce represents investors in every county of our state with a diverse cross-section of over 500 industry sectors. Our membership includes both small storefronts and large corporations-no matter the size or type of business, we provide proactive policy, aggressive advocacy and meaningful investor services that impact your bottom line. Our number one mission is keeping, growing and creating jobs to make Georgia a better state for business. We work to ensure economic competitiveness, innovative solutions to challenges that state faces, and a commitment to high quality of life.  The Georgia Chamber serves as a partner for local chambers across the state. While we have many of the same goals, the Georgia Chamber focuses on statewide issues that impact Georgia’s entire business community.

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(August 29, 2018) Four medical practices in Georgia that have more than 40 physicians who care for thousands of patients have announced that they are now using HealtheParadigm – an innovative health IT solution that enables physicians to generate sophisticated patient data analytics that they can use to improve patient outcomes and meet today’s quality metrics.

The practices include Albany Surgical, PC, Cairo Medical Care, LLC, Griner Medical Group, LLC, in Valdosta, and North Atlanta Primary Care, PC.

“This is a significant development for patients and physicians and Georgia’s overall health care system,” says Frank McDonald, M.D., M.B.A., the president of the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG), which endorses HealtheParadigm. “We applaud these physicians and practices for demonstrating great vision and leadership.”

North Atlanta Primary Care CEO and Medical Director Thomas Bat, M.D., explains that, “There are dramatic changes taking place within the health care system, which means that we need to adapt and evolve as physicians and practices. Having assessed this solution in great depth and detail, we are confident that HealtheParadigm will help us to deliver better patient care in a better and more cost-effective and efficient way –and we are also convinced that it will give us a strategic business advantage.”

Griner Medical Group Chief Medical Officer Brian Griner, M.D., adds that, “Deploying the MAG-endorsed HealtheParadigm across our practices drives the common goal of delivering the best possible patient care and benefits our entire state’s medical community. We are excited to be a part of this physician-led solution.”

North Atlanta Primary Care has nearly 90,000 active patients, while the Griner Medical Group has about 15,000.

Dr. McDonald stresses that, “HealtheParadigm enables physicians to share patient data in a near real-time and seamless way – whether the patient or physician is in downtown Atlanta or a small town in a rural part of the state, 24/7.”

He also notes that, “Physicians can use HealtheParadigm’s data analytics dashboard features to enhance patient care and reduce duplicities and inefficiencies and costs.”

And Dr. McDonald explains that, “HealtheParadigm enables the use of sophisticated analyses across patients’ longitudinal medical records, which includes clinical data submitted by every other participant that is part of the HealtheParadigm health information exchange network.”

Finally, Dr. McDonald believes that HealtheParadigm participants have “additional peace of mind” knowing that its advisory committee consists of physicians from different specialties and practice settings.

A number of other medical practices are expected to begin using HealtheParadigm in the near future.

About HealtheParadigm

HealtheParadigm is a physician-led health information network endorsed by the Medical Association of Georgia (MAG) and delivered in partnership with KAMMCO. HealtheParadigm offers a suite of health information technology tools to help health professionals share patient information while employing powerful analytic reports designed to help improve clinical outcomes, reduce inefficiencies, and positively impact patient safety.

HealtheParadigm is a member of the KAMMCO Network. KAMMCO is a physician-led healthcare organization affiliated with the Kansas Medical Society that is uniquely positioned to help physicians, other healthcare providers, integrated delivery networks, accountable care organizations, and others seeking to improve patient outcomes and adapt to new performance-based payment models through the use of data analytics and business intelligence tools. The KAMMCO physician-led health information exchange model is now delivering analytics products and services in partnership with medical societies in six states beyond Kansas, including South Carolina, Connecticut, New Jersey, Missouri, Louisiana and Georgia. Go to www.healtheparadigm.com/Home.aspx for additional information on HealtheParadigm.

About Medical Association of Georgia
Founded in 1849, MAG is the leading advocate for physicians in the state of Georgia with more than 7,800 members, including physicians in every specialty and practice setting. MAG focuses on legislative, legal and third party payer issues.

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Atlanta, GA – August 29, 2018 – On Tuesday, August 28^th, the Georgia Chamber and Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of their strategic partnership as their newest initiative to promote inclusive economic growth and development. As both organizations have a long-standing history of supporting businesses across the state, their alliance seeks to foster the relationships between Hispanic and Non-Hispanic businesses, elected officials, governmental agencies, and industry leaders.

“Today marks the beginning of a unique partnership that will increase economic opportunity and mobility throughout the Hispanic business community. With a growing Hispanic population, there has been a 73% increase in Hispanic-owned businesses. We are committed to working with our partners to ensure that our state provides the climate and resources necessary for minority businesses to expand their operations to build a competitive and highly skilled workforce,” said Chris Clark, Georgia Chamber President & CEO. “Hispanic entrepreneurship is extremely important to our state and our country. We are proud to partner with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber and look forward to working with them in our pursuit to support the growth and diversification of Georgia’s emerging industries and communities.”

“A diverse workforce is integral to a strong economy. We are excited to announce our partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. As the state’s advocate for Hispanic businesses, we are dedicated to working with stakeholders and community leaders for the implementation of policies that support the enterprises that drive our local economies,” said Georgia Hispanic Chamber President & CEO, Santiago Marquez. “Through our collaborative effort we will work to facilitate entrepreneurship, growth, and job creation to ensure that Georgia not only remains the best place to live but is also an ideal location for Hispanic-owned businesses to thrive! It is an honor and a privilege to be part of a partnership that is dedicated to improving the quality of life and business climate for Latino businesses and the communities they serve.”

Minority business development is a critical component of Georgia’s economy as Georgia is home to a diverse business community of large and small companies across various sectors, which employ and serve a multicultural demographic. Through their leadership, the Georgia Chamber and Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will actively promote the economic growth, development, and interests of minority-owned businesses statewide. To learn more about the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce visit https://ghcc.org/. Click here to learn more about the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Photos from the official signing ceremony can be accessed here.

About the Georgia Chamber of Commerce

As the state’s largest business organization, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce represents investors in every county of our state with a diverse cross-section of over 500 industry sectors. Our membership includes both small storefronts and large corporations-no matter the size or type of business, we provide proactive policy, aggressive advocacy and meaningful investor services that impact your bottom line. Our number one mission is keeping, growing and creating jobs to make Georgia a better state for business. We work to ensure economic competitiveness, innovative solutions to challenges that state faces, and a commitment to high quality of life.  The Georgia Chamber serves as a partner for local chambers across the state. While we have many of the same goals, the Georgia Chamber focuses on statewide issues that impact Georgia’s entire business community.

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Atlanta, GA –August 28, 2018– The Georgia Chamber is proud to announce its newest initiative to establish Georgia as a leading state for innovation, entrepreneurship, and small business success.

In partnership with the Georgia Department of Education, University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, Georgia Institute of Technology, and private colleges the Chamber launched its “Georgia InVenture Prize” statewide competition. As a concept modeled after Georgia Tech’s existing InVenture Prize contest, the initiative seeks to enhance entrepreneurial culture and strengthen Georgia’s pipeline of inventors and start-up companies.

The statewide initiative will provide opportunities for growth and development in emerging industries across all sectors. Students in K-12 and higher education are eligible to participate. The Georgia colleges and universities competition will represent teams comprised of full-time, degree-seeking, undergraduate students who are the original creators and owners of the invention or intellectual property conceptualizing their business plan. A First Place, Second Place, and People’s Choice Award will be awarded upon the conclusion of the final round. Divisions featured in the K-12 contest include high school, middle school, elementary school, and K-2.  This contest will represent teams from Georgia’s public and private schools throughout the state. Both contests will be judged on the quality of their idea, business model, entrepreneurship, and probability of success.

“As the largest statewide business advocate, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce understands the importance of entrepreneurship and innovation, as it is a long-standing Chamber position to support the implementation of policies that promote commercialization, research activity, and collaboration among the private and public sectors,” said Chris Clark, Georgia Chamber President & CEO. “We encourage participation and look forward to working with our Georgia InVenture Prize partners in our continued efforts to develop local talent and increase access to venture capital.”

To learn more about the Georgia InVenture Prize Competition, or to inquire about sponsorship opportunities, visit www.georgiainventureprize.org. Pictures from the InVenture Prize Summit can be accessed here.

About the Georgia Chamber of Commerce

As the state’s largest business organization, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce represents investors in every county of our state with a diverse cross-section of over 500 industry sectors. Our membership includes both small storefronts and large corporations-no matter the size or type of business, we provide proactive policy, aggressive advocacy and meaningful investor services that impact your bottom line. Our number one mission is keeping, growing and creating jobs to make Georgia a better state for business. We work to ensure economic competitiveness, innovative solutions to challenges that state faces, and a commitment to high quality of life.  The Georgia Chamber serves as a partner for local chambers across the state. While we have many of the same goals, the Georgia Chamber focuses on statewide issues that impact Georgia’s entire business community.

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