Georgia Trend Daily – April 3, 2024
April 3, 2024 Savannah Morning News
‘On the clock’: Local officials gearing up for start of production at Hyundai
Latrice Williams reports that Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America’s decision to bump up its start of production date came as a surprise to some but not for those who represent the Savannah Joint Development Authority. The Hyundai agreement states production is anticipated to begin Oct. 1, 2024.
April 3, 2024 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
LaGrange | Troup County: Unified Community
Karen Kirkpatrick reports, as business owners, industry leaders or economic development officials, “What is your biggest challenge?” and their answer is almost always “developing a strong workforce.” For booming Troup County and its three cities – LaGrange, West Point and Hogansville – that challenge would be daunting for any one entity to handle alone, but it’s achievable when everyone in the region addresses it together.
April 3, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
EXCLUSIVE: Qcells begins producing solar panels at new Georgia plant
Zachary Hansen and Drew Kann report, in a factory shell larger than Lenox Square Mall, the epicenter of a critical American industry is taking form: solar panel production. Dozens of robots scurry across an expansive concrete floor to the mechanical rhythm of machinery cutting and combining razor-thin cells into solar panels.
April 3, 2024 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Experts say power plant updates not needed in Georgia Power’s new energy plan. Here’s why
Kala Hunter reports that environmental experts say energy giant Georgia Power is setting back the clock on climate action, investing more into old power plants by updating combustion turbines, even though Georgia Power says the move is necessary to accommodate short-term energy demand. Plus, opponents say the combustion turbines will cost consumers through bill hikes, though Georgia Power contends rates will drop.
April 3,2024 Savannah Morning News
Another endangered whale last seen off Georgia coast dies; calf also considered a casualty
John Deem reports that a shark-scavenged carcass of an endangered North Atlantic right whale last spotted alive near the Georgia coast has been discovered in ocean waters off Virginia, federal officials said Tuesday. A calf observed with the now-dead female in January near St. Simons Island was not found near its mother when the remains were discovered Saturday but is being included among the 41 known right whale fatalities along the Atlantic coast since 2017, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries division reported.
April 3, 2024 WSB Radio
MARTA awarded $750K grant to help with redevelopment in underserved communities
Staff reports that MARTA is partnering with the federal government to bring new bus rapid transit and new stations along a busy corridor of southwest Atlanta. The Federal Transit Administration awarded a $750,000 grant for a pilot program as MARTA plans and eventually builds out new bus rapid transit along Campbellton Road.
April 3, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Rome And Floyd County Exploring Additional Gaming Machine Regulations. Here’s What We Know
David Crowder reports, with moratoriums in place, officials in Rome, Cave Spring, and Floyd County are researching ways to address what they termed as significant issues surrounding coin-operated amusement machines. The gaming machines are regulated by the Georgia Lottery Corporation, so there are limits to what actions local governments can take.
April 3, 2024 Capitol Beat News
DOT grant to fund freight rail project in Henry County
Dave Williams reports that the Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded an $8.4 million grant to Norfolk Southern Corp. to fund freight rail improvements in Henry County. The grant will go toward an estimated $21 million project to more than double the length of a passing track at McDonough, which will allow more efficient use of the tracks and reduce road crossings blocked by trains.
April 3, 2024 Gwinnett Daily Post
Lilburn gets federal funds for police, Camp Creek efforts
Curt Yeomans reports that Lilburn officials are getting federal funding to stabilize Camp Creek and work with their counterparts in Snellville and Lawrenceville on ways to use video and data to better respond to crimes. In all, Lilburn is included in $1.8 million in funding from the 2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden last month.
April 3, 2024 Union-Recorder
Milledgeville resident to take part in Banana Pudding Festival competition
Staff reports that Kristin Hope, a resident of Milledgeville, will compete in the ninth annual Georgia Banana Pudding Festival on April 6. The contest will take place in Irwinton from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April 3, 2024 GPB
A Georgia voter’s guide to campaign finance research: Who is funding who? Here’s where to look
Laura Corley reports that officials running for public office in Georgia are raising big money for their political campaigns. Who contributed how much dough to whom and what those candidates are spending it on is easy information to find, if you know where to look.
April 3, 2024 Rome News-Tribune
Marjorie Taylor Greene Calls For Resignation of Georgia GOP Vice Chair
John Bailey reports that the Georgia Republican Party first vice chair said he will not step down despite calls to resign from people within his own party, including 14th District U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Greene, who also continues to make false claims that the 2020 election was stolen, called for Brian Pritchard’s immediate resignation this past week and stated the Republican Party is “the party of election integrity.”
April 3, 2024 State Affairs
Lawmakers more than double state budget for student transportation, a boon for schools and parents
Jill Jordan Sieder reports, after marathon budgeting sessions, lawmakers in the House and Senate agreed last week on final changes to the fiscal year 2025 budget. Among those agreements was to keep $205 million of the proposed $210 million increase for student transportation recommended by Gov. Brian Kemp, which more than doubles the state’s annual funding for school bus operations.
April 3, 2024 Marietta Daily Journal
‘Nothing More Invasive’: Bill to Squash Squatters Awaits Governor’s Signature
Annie Mayne reports, in Cobb, the issue of squatting is close to home. One real estate agent found squatters had moved into a house she was trying to show, changed the locks and denied her entry. Another homeowner spent eight months trying to evict squatters from her house.
April 3, 2024 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia Speaker Burns hopes to see action to protect Okefenokee in 2025 session
James Salzer reports that less than a week after the Georgia Senate stalled legislation to pause permitting on new mines like one planned for the east side of the Okefenokee, House Speaker Jon Burns said the fight to protect the swamp is far from over. “There is no more important issue to any of us in Georgia and certainly to me,” Burns said during an appearance Tuesday on the “Politically Georgia” podcast.
