The Reprint Company Publishers, of Spartanburg, South Carolina, has recently reissued its earlier printings of county histories for Baldwin, Dougherty, Lowndes, Charlton and Pike counties. These books were originally published in the early 1900s and were first reprinted by the Spartanburg publisher in 1978. Those books have been out of print for a number of years. These latest reprints are hardback books printed on archival quality paper and are now in a Print On Demand format.

The titles are “History of Baldwin County, Georgia” (1925) by Mrs. Anna Maria Green Cook; “History and Reminiscences of Dougherty County, Georgia” (1924) by the Thronateeska Chapter, DAR; “History of Lowndes County, Georgia, 1825-1941” (1942) by the General James Jackson Chapter, DAR; “History of Charlton County” (1932) by Alex S. McQueen; and “History of Pike County, Georgia, 1822-1912” (1948?) by Lizzie R. Mitchell.

As was typical of county histories during this time, the books include many county records, census records, and military records and rosters. There are biographies and sketches of the early settlers of the counties and material taken from journals and memories of people involved in the early settlement of the areas. Information is provided on the cultural, political, religious, educational, and economic events and trends during the years.

Altogether, these books represent over 1800 pages of early Georgia historical and genealogical material. To facilitate use of these volumes, new indexes were prepared and included in each book.

The books are available from The Reprint Company Publishers, P.O. Box 5401, Spartanburg SC 29304. Complete descriptive and ordering information for each title can be found on the company’s website, www.reprintcompany.com, or by contacting them at (864) 579-4433.

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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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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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