|
|
the Chamber's twice monthly e-newsletter
|
| |
|
 |
|
President's Message
Welcome to The Phoenix, the Chamber’s e-newsletter.
We need your help to fight traffic gridlock. Today the House is voting on
Senate Resolution 845, which is supported by the Get Georgia Moving Coalition.
This approach would give voters across the state a voice, while ensuring local control of
projects and spending.
Please log on to GetGeorgiaMoving.com, click “contact your lawmakers,” and automatically send a letter to the Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker, your senator and your representative.
Also, read about the work of the new nonprofit Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation and the Chamber's mission to China.
Thanks for reading. We will continue to keep you informed on the issues you care about.
Sam A. Williams
President
Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce
Hot Topics
Get Georgia Moving Coalition Supports SR 845
Business Leaders, Transit Advocates, Road Builders and Environmentalists Say Resolution Gives Voters Across the State a Voice, While Ensuring Local Control of Projects and Spending
The Get Georgia Moving coalition, which represents more than 50 groups across Georgia --including business leaders, government leaders, transit advocates, road builders and environmentalists -- today announced its support for Senate Resolution 845, a transportation funding approach that would give voters across the state a voice, while ensuring local control of projects and spending.
The resolution, sponsored by Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Jeff Mullis
(R-Chickamauga), was passed by the full Senate by an overwhelming majority. It was then modified and passed by the House Transportation Committee,
led by Chairman Vance Smith ( R-Pine Mountain ).
The full House is set to vote on the modified version of SR 845 on Thursday, March 27. If passed, the proposal will most likely head to a conference committee of the House and Senate to work out minor differences.
Our coalition is united by the concept of letting Georgia voters choose what action to take on transportation,” said Bill Linginfelter, former Georgia State CEO for Wachovia Bank and former chairman of the transportation policy committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “The beauty of S.R. 845 is that it leaves every step of the decision-making up to voters. They decide whether to vote on funding for local projects. They choose the projects. They keep the money at home. And there's a clear end date.”
“Georgia is the third-fastest growing state in the country, but spends less on transportation infrastructure per person than any other state in the country,” said Joe Leonard, chairman of AirTran Airways, chairman of the transportation policy committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and co-chair of the Get Georgia Moving Coalition. “Now we can change that equation. We must act now if we're going to continue attracting companies and
investment to this region.”
Click here to read entire release.
Tired of Traffic? Now You Can Do Something About It
- Log on to www.GetGeorgiaMoving.com.
- Click “Contact Your Lawmakers.”
- Send an automated email telling your lawmakers to support transportation funding.
- Forward the Web site address to two or three friends.
Message to Members: The New Nonprofit Grady Memorial Hospital Corporation
Editor's Note: Chamber President Sam A. Williams sent this message to members on March 17.
Good news! Almost a year to the day from when the Grady Board approached the Chamber for help, the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority named the new 501c3 board Friday -- and the new nonprofit named Pete Correll its chairman today. This change to a nonprofit governing board followed recommendations made by the Chamber's Greater Grady Task Force. We salute the leadership of Pete Correll, Michael Russell and Tom Bell with the strong backing of our entire membership.
In other events, thanks for your questions and concerns about storm damage to the Chamber over the weekend. The Chamber building only sustained minor damage, and I am proud of the way this region and state are rallying around those who were more deeply affected.
Sincerely,
Sam
Chamber Delegation to Forge Stronger Ties with China
Chamber's economic development trip to China is a building block to global commerce strategy The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce departs for a two-week economic development trip to China to build on its Brazil, Russia, India and China strategy — known as BRICs. The delegation departed on Friday, March 21, and will visit Beijing, Shanghai, Ningbo, Wuhan, Nanchang, Wenzhou, Changsha and Xian.
“The Chamber is focused on China as part of its ‘BRICs' strategy,” said Hans Gant, senior vice president of economic development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “BRICs will play a very important role in metro Atlanta and across the globe because of the country's growing economies. Nearly 40 percent of the world's IPO activity last year occurred in Brazil Russia India and China, up from 32 percent in 2006. And metro Atlanta continues to see an influx of Indian and Chinese companies such as Wipro, Sany, Protecht, Kingwasong and others.”
“Metro Atlanta companies already have a strong presence in China,” added Gant. “We are standing on the shoulders of the dozens of Atlanta companies that have been successfully operating in China for decades, such as UPS, Coca-Cola, IBM, GE, ING, Portman Holdings and Troutman Sanders. UPS alone has invested more than $600 million in China
over the past five years.”
Click here to read entire release.
Wachovia Senior Economist: "Strong International Trade Is Insulating Metro Atlanta From National Downturn; Jobs, Population Still Growing"
Metro Atlanta's growing ability to attract investment from abroad is a major factor in keeping its economy strong during this national economic downturn, according to nationally known Wachovia managing director and senior economist Mark Vitner.
“International trade is the strongest part of the national economy – and that's a plus for Atlanta because of this region's surge in attracting investment from abroad and finding opportunities for Atlanta-based companies to expand overseas,” Vitner said, noting the recent expansion of global trade, air routes and consulates in metro Atlanta. “We're hitting all the points we need to hit to thrive in the global marketplace. That helps insulate Atlanta from the slowdown in the domestic economy, because the global economy remains incredibly strong.”
Vitner's remarks were made at a Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce board meeting
on March 20.
Click here to read entire release.
Atlanta Ranks Sixth on Forbes Magazine's One of the Best Places
For Business And Careers List
Editor's Note: The story below is posted online at www.Forbes.com.
Companies in the U.S. are facing myriad challenges, from the credit crunch to soaring commodity prices to corporate tax rates that are behind only Japan 's among developed countries. What is a chief executive to do? Head south.
In our 10th annual ranking of the Best Places for Business and Careers, the Southeast is home to half of the top 10 for a third straight year. But there is new blood near the top, including Lexington, Ky., Atlanta, Ga., and Richmond, Va. (Spokane, Wash., and Fort Collins, Colo., also made big jumps).
One metro that made a big jump was Atlanta, which improved to sixth from 25th last year. Its ranking benefited from strong job and income growth and a big reduction in crime. "Hotlanta" features a diverse economy and pro-business environment.
Another built-in advantage for big employers like AT&T (nyse: T - news - people ), Home Depot (nyse: HD - news - people ) and IBM (nyse: IBM - news - people ) is Hartsfield-Jackson, the busiest passenger airport in the world.
Click here to read entire article.
Apply NOW! 2008 Small Business Person of the Year Awards
The Small to Mid-Size Business Council is pleased to announce the 22nd Annual Small Business Person of the Year Awards.
Applications are ready NOW! Click on this link for further information: http://www.metroatlantachamber.com/fm_sbpoty.html
To nominate someone for this year's award, e-mail Glen Gould at ggould@macoc.com.
In partnership with the Atlanta Business Chronicle, and special thanks to this year's sponsors: AT&T, Bank of America, Public Broadcasting Atlanta and Exact Target.
Campaign Corner
We are excited to kick off the 2008 Chairman's Committee Fundraising Campaign, "Atlanta, It's Your Business" on Thursday, April 17. With our strong leaders Jackson Kelly, vice president of Marketing Operations for The Coca-Cola Company; and Willem Hattink, executive vice president of SunTrust Bank, this year's campaign is certain to be a success.
The Chairman's Campaign is one of the primary sources of revenue for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, funding new and existing Chamber programs and initiatives. Volunteers from more than 20 corporate partners in metro Atlanta will sell memberships, advertising and sponsorships from April through August to finish at the $3 million goal. If you would like to join your corporate partners on the campaign, contact Rebecca Brubaker for more information.
Member Testimonials
MassMutual Financial Group
I have met a lot of great people from here that have made me a great resource to my clients.
William Giddens
MassMutual Financial Group
http://www.massmutual.com/mmfg/index.html
Allstate Insurance
We are involving the Chamber to help us pull together our sales organization in metro Atlanta. We are venturing into the business-to-business market, and the help is invaluable.
Kevin Taylor
Allstate Insurance
www.allstate.com
Chamber Events
Events for March 2008
Community Events
Earth Hour -- A Global Event on Climate Change
Date: March 29
Time: 8 – 9 p.m. local time
Location: Atlanta, Chicago, Phoenix, San Francisco and millions of people in 16 other major cities around the globe
On Saturday, individuals, businesses, and local government officials will be turning off all non-essential lights in a bold statement in support for action on climate change.
The event is being organized by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the largest multinational conservation in the world. Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin accepted WWF's invitation to represent the Eastern Time Zone as an official participating sister for Earth Hour 2008 as a way to complement the recently launched “Sustainable Atlanta” environmental initiative.
On this historic evening, Atlanta will be joining some of the most iconic skylines around the world to darken for one hour – Earth Hour. The goal of the event is to raise awareness of climate change and demonstrate how by doing one small thing -- like turning off the lights -- we can all make a positive impact in fighting climate change.
As part of the event, residents, businesses and organizations are being asked to voluntarily turn off non-essential lights for one hour, 8 p.m. – 9 p.m. ET. Dozens of major landmark buildings in Downtown, Midtown, Atlantic Station and Buckhead will go dark in honor of the event -- as will neighborhoods across the city.
More information about Earth Hour and ways to get involved can be found at www.EarthHour.org .
Parks Pride's Seventh Annual Parks & Greenspace Conference
2008 Theme: A Vision of Sustainability
Date: March 31
Time: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Atlanta Botanical Garden
Galen Cranz, professor of Architecture at The University of California, Berkeley, will give the keynote speech on "Parks & Sustainability;" and Dr. Howie Frumkin, one of the world's leading experts on parks and public health, will speak on "Parks, Health, & Sustainability." In addition, the "Parks & Sustainable Cities" session will feature a panel of national, state, and local leaders discussing how parks are necessary to creating vibrant, sustainable cities.
For more information visit:
| 
