Georgia

The Georgia Forest Land Protection Act of 2008 signed today

May 8, 2008 -- SWAINSBORO, GA — Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed The Georgia Forest Land Protection Act of 2008, HB 1211, at the Swainsboro Pine Tree Festival and Timber Expo.

Sunset at Lake Oconee, Georgia: Photo by C.J. Peters (CC)    » read more »

May 03, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Sgt. Jerry L. DeLoach, 45, of Jackson, Georgia, died July 7, 2007, in Riverside, Ga., of a non-combat related injury, while assigned to Fort Knox, Ky.

He had been medically evacuated from theater. He was assigned to the Warrior Transition Unit at Fort Knox.

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Sewon America to create 700 jobs and invest $170 million with new manufacturing facility

May 2, 2008 -- ATLANTA -- Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Sewon America, Inc., a major Kia supplier. Sewon is locating its first U.S. plant at the Callaway South Industrial Park in LaGrange.

The company plans to create 700 jobs and invest $170 million in a facility to manufacture automotive components for the Kia plant in West Point over a three year period.

“I am honored to join Sewon as they break ground and officially join the LaGrange community,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Kia suppliers have announced upwards of 2,300 jobs, which is on top of the 2,500 employees planned for the Kia Motors factory in West Point.”    » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- The Department of Defense announced today the death of two Marines who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

1st Sgt. Luke J. Mercardante, 35, of Athens, Georgia

Cpl. Kyle W. Wilks, 24, of Rogers, Arkansas

Both Marines died April 15 while conducting combat operations in Kandahar province, Afghanistan.

They were both assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejuene, N.C.

Source: DOD

April 15, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement regarding the merger between Atlanta-based Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines:

“Delta has long been a cornerstone of Georgia’s corporate community as well as one of our largest employers, and I am proud that the airline created from this partnership will continue to call Georgia home,” said Governor Sonny Perdue.

Delta Airlines Boeing 777: Photo courtesy Delta Airlines    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- ATLANTA - Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and First Lady Mary Perdue proudly announce the arrival of their ninth grandchild Anna Katherine Perdue. Anna Katherine is the daughter of Jim and Stephanie Perdue.

Anna Katherine, who was born in the early morning of Wednesday April 9, 2008, arrived weighing 6 pounds 10 ounces. She was welcomed by brothers Jake and Judd Perdue.

“Mary and I are proud to welcome another beautiful grandchild,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We are blessed to have such a wonderful family and we are eager to share our love with its newest member.”

Governor Perdue and the First Lady now have five grandsons and four granddaughters.

Source: Georgia Governor

PETCO Pet Products Company to Add 277 Jobs; Invest $33 Million in Facility

April 7, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that PETCO, a leading pet products company, is locating a new distribution center in Braselton, representing an investment of $33 million. At full operating capacity, the company anticipates the center will employ up to 277 employees.

“Georgia’s strength in logistics makes it a top choice for national retailers like PETCO,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Our robust transportation network and ready workforce are a natural fit for distribution centers.”    » read more »

GeorgiaBusiness Advisory Center joins state’s 10 international economic development offices

April 2, 2008 -- BEIJING – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue cut the ribbon today to open Georgia's newest international economic development center, located in Beijing, China. The Beijing Georgia Business Advisory Center Company, Ltd. will spearhead business development between China and Georgia.

“China holds tremendous potential for Georgia businesses, and Georgia offers exactly the kind of business-friendly environment Chinese companies seek,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The center's formal opening signals a new era of commercial enterprise for Georgia as it reaches out to the world's most dynamic economy.”    » read more »

Governor Perdue meets with Mayor of Shanghai; tours GE Technology Center

April 1, 2008 -- BEIIJING – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue was welcomed to China on Monday by the Honorable Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai. Governor Perdue is in China to lead a 60-member business delegation in conjunction with Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines’ inaugural direct flight to Shanghai.

Governor Sonny Perdue (left) meets with the Honorable Han Zheng, Mayor of Shanghai    » read more »

Leads Delegation on Economic Development Mission; Will Open Georgia Center in China

March 30, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue departed from Atlanta today on Delta’s inaugural non-stop flight to Shanghai, China. Governor Perdue is leading a delegation of business, academic and government officials from Georgia on a week long economic development mission to Shanghai and Beijing.

Delta Airlines Boeing 777-200LR

“This is the first direct link to China from the Southeastern U.S., and the only nonstop link from the U.S. East Coast to Shanghai,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This is a great honor for our state, and for Delta, our hometown airline.”    » read more »

Components manufacturer to create 300 jobs and invest $35 million

March 28, 2008 -- ATLANTA -- Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Kia supplier DAEHAN Solution will locate a manufacturing facility in Harris County. The automotive components manufacturer is expected to create 300 jobs and invest $35 million in its new site. Kia and its other suppliers have announced more than 5,000 jobs in Georgia.

“DAEHAN Solution’s decision to locate in Georgia means that top-tier Kia suppliers are creating more than 2,300 jobs,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I am proud that Kia’s decision to choose Georgia continues to bring interest and investment to our state.”    » read more »

March 28, 2008 -- McDonough -- Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker announced today that the Henry County Grand Jury has returned Medicaid Fraud indictments against two Medicaid providers in unrelated cases. Tina Webster-Fabayo owned and operated two mental health service companies, Med Path Professional Services and One Youth House, in Stockbridge, Georgia from late 2004 through 2007.    » read more »

Baseball Hall of Famer to be in Rome, Georgia on April 3

03/25/2008, ROME, Ga. -- In keeping with the tradition of historic Opening Night guests, the Rome Braves announce that baseball legend and Hall of Fame member Bruce Sutter will throw out the ceremonial first pitch April 3 just before Rome opens the 2008 season.

"We are honored to have a Hall of Famer, former Brave and Cardinal great Bruce Sutter joining us for our Opening Day festivities," says Rome general manager Michael Dunn.    » read more »

Atlanta, Ga., March 26, 2008 - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Region 4, as part of the Southeast Diesel Collaborative, today announced the availability of approximately $3.6 Million in grants to fund projects within the Southeast to demonstrate effective emission control technologies and strategies, methods or approaches to reducing diesel emissions. EPA expects to fund between five and ten grants ranging from $250,000 and $750,000. However, EPA reserves the option to fund a project at an amount lower than $250,000 if the proposed project involves retrofitting or upgrading an applicant’s entire fleet.    » read more »

March 19, 2008 -- PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. President, welcome back to Washington. I was just reminiscing with the President about my trip to Georgia, about the unbelievably good food, and about the dancing. He was wondering whether I'd come back and start my dancing career there. And I told him I probably better quit while I'm ahead.

President George W. Bush Meets with President Saakashvili of Georgia: President George W. Bush listens as Mikhail Saakashvili offers remarks as they meet Wednesday, March 19, 2008, in the Oval Office of the White House. White House photo by Joyce N. Boghosian    » read more »