Author: Admin

Governor Brian P. Kemp instructed Director Chris Stallings and the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) staff to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) over the weekend to monitor and prepare for any impact caused by Tropical Storm Debby. Partners from all relevant state response agencies are closely monitoring the storm as it moves across Georgia today and tomorrow.

“Working closely with state agencies, local leaders and emergency response teams, Georgia is preparing for whatever Tropical Storm Debby may bring and its aftermath,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “As the week progresses, we will continue monitoring the storm’s path and impact to meet the needs of Georgians affected by this major storm system. I want to thank Director Stallings, his team, and all response agency personnel who are working around the clock to help keep their fellow Georgians safe during this weather event.”

Debby made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane in Florida this morning and is now a strong tropical storm over South-Central Georgia. Bands of heavy rainfall and gusty winds will further expand over southeastern Georgia today. Forecasts project 10 to 15 inches of rainfall accumulation, gusty winds of 40-50 mph, and possible tornadoes in South-Central and Southeast Georgia this afternoon, this evening, and into tomorrow. Should Tropical Storm Debby slow further and stall off the Georgia coast, it could create a life-threatening flooding event in Southeast Georgia this week. Forecast rainfall totals in Southeast Georgia, particularly within 50 miles of Savannah, are 12 to 18 inches, with higher totals possible. Coastal inundation from 2-4 feet of storm surge will also be possible during high tide cycles tonight, tomorrow, and Wednesday. Working with Georgia Power and EMCs, the state is preparing for potential power outages across South-Central and Southeast Georgia over the next few days, as well.

“The main concern for our south-central and southeastern counties is flooding. Several communities in that region have never experienced the amount of rainfall Tropical Storm Debby will bring,” said GEMA/HS Director Chris Stallings. “We encourage all residents and visitors in those areas to follow the instructions of local officials. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately.”

Governor Kemp and GEMA/HS are closely monitoring the status and path of Tropical Storm Debby and will provide updates as the system progresses. Georgians in the path of Debby should take appropriate action based on their location. Residents who are in vulnerable housing situations, including those in low-lying areas or at-risk floodplains, should consider relocating temporarily to higher ground. All of South Georgia should pay close attention to guidance from trusted sources and review emergency plans with their families. Residents are encouraged to review their emergency plans and supply their ready kits with a a minimum of three day supply of food and water for each family member. Visit https://gema.georgia.gov/floods-and-flash-floodsfor more information on how to be prepared.

For a full list of actions the governor and state agencies have already taken to prepare for Tropical Storm Debby’s impact, see below.

Full State Preparation and Action Update:

Office of the Governor: Governor Kemp declared a state of emergency (available here) on Saturday, August 3. The declaration makes state resources available to local governments and entities within the storm’s potential impact area. On Monday, August 5, the Governor issued an additional executive order (available here) enabling the Georgia National Guard to deploy up to 2,000 national guardsmen to aid in storm response, should they be needed. Note: no guard servicemembers have been activated at this time, this decision will be made if and only if they are deemed necessary.

Governor Kemp also submitted a letter today to the Federal Emergency Management Agency requesting a pre-impact emergency declaration from the federal government to provide public assistance protective measures and direct federal aid to assist in storm preparation and response efforts. The last time Governor Kemp made such a pre-impact request was for Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

GEMA/HS: GEMA/HS is at a Level 1 full-scale activation. The state is actively monitoring Tropical Storm Debby’s forecast and working with federal and local partners to determine best steps to keep Georgians safe. GEMA/HS Logistics has deployed sandbags for protection of property and life-sustaining equipment as needed to south and southeastern Georgia counties. Air Operations has staged crews and resources with rescue capabilities in strategic locations. The American Red Cross has stood up shelters, which GEMA/HS is heavily supporting, in various locations in affected areas. GEMA/HS will also provide additional information and updates via social media (@GeorgiaEMAHS) and the website (gema.georgia.gov).

Department of Natural Resources (DNR):

▪ DNR’s incident command (IC) is now fully operational and its post at Little Ocmulgee State Park in McRae is in the process of staging teams outfitted with heavy equipment, boats, chainsaws and ATVs.
▪ DNR will deploy 23 vessels and 50 personnel to assist with water rescues.
▪ 12 debris removal teams will be deployed with a skid steer or tractor per team along with two operating chainsaws to help clear roadways. To assist debris removal teams, DNR will also deploy 48 personnel members. Eight strike force teams and two task force teams will be in the first deployment.
▪ DNR’s State Parks & Historic Sites Division is preparing to take in displaced people and pets, including horses.
▪ DNR state parks outside of the path of the storm are open and available to evacuees. For current information on park availability, including equestrian facilities, visit gastateparks.org/Alerts or call 1-800-864-7275
Department of Public Safety (DPS): In addition to assisting with evacuation, roadway security, and emergency response, DPS’s Initial Response Team (IRT) has been identified and is ready to deploy. The Governor’s emergency declaration authorizes the Motor Carrier Compliance Division to allow commercial motor vehicles involved in hurricane response efforts to bypass weigh/inspection stations so they can quickly transport supplies and resources to and through the state.

Department of Agriculture: The Georgia Department of Agriculture has opened the Georgia National Fairgrounds for evacuated animals and has 200 horse stalls available. Animal Search and Rescue is scheduled to arrive on Thursday.

Georgia Ports Authority (GPA): The GPA leadership team met this morning to discuss the latest storm track and the impact to its employees. Per Pilot and US Coast Guard directives, all vessel operations have now ceased at both the Brunswick and Savannah terminals. All vessels have departed Brunswick and only one remains at the Garden City Terminal. Both ports will be closed Tuesday.

As a nonprofit healthcare system, with 1,755 locations within a one-hour drive of 85 percent of Georgians, Piedmont brings its purpose to life by providing unparalleled access to integrated high-quality care, as well as by serving local communities outside the walls of its clinics and hospitals.

Piedmont’s annual Community Impact Report details the myriad ways that Piedmont delivers on more than $390 million in community impact support, which includes free or reduced care for qualifying patients, health education, mobile clinics, and support of local partners to improve access and health services in local communities. 

The annual report shows that Piedmont provided over $2.00 in community support for every $1 it would have paid in taxes in 2023, if Piedmont were a for-profit healthcare system. 

“The impact we make in our communities is palpable and makes me so proud to be a part of this organization,” said Piedmont Healthcare President and CEO Kevin Brown. “Piedmont is not just a health care provider – we’re a committed partner and advocate for our communities. Together, we can make a positive difference and create healthier and more vibrant communities.” 

During 2023, Piedmont also participated in or provided: 

·   More than 1,200 community events in which physicians or staff shared knowledge in the communities Piedmont serves. Said another way, on average, Piedmont is out supporting a community event three times a day, every day of the year!  

·   More than 800 events in which Piedmont brought care to local communities, beyond the walls of clinics and hospitals.

·   More than 440 sponsorships or other support of other community and/or nonprofit organizations.

·   More than 330 community events in which Piedmont physicians or staff lent expertise.

Additionally, in an effort to further expand access to care, in 2023, Piedmont launched an online resource to help connect clinicians and patients with community organizations that can provide free and reduced-cost assistance and care outside the health care space. Piedmont calls this program “Empowering You.”

The program aims to improve health outcomes by identifying and addressing the social determinants of health barriers patients may face by partnering with organizations already embedded in that work within their communities. In its first year, Empowering You resulted in close to 130,000 patients being screened for social determinant of health barriers and connecting these patients with community services such as food banks, transportation, and housing. The program has been a huge success and continues to grow in 2024. 

Empowering You is a multi-disciplinary approach across the care continuum. As a result, irrespective of whether you’re a Piedmont clinician, patient or a community member, Empowering You can be accessed with Piedmont’s public-facing access, embedded links within its Electronic Medical Record or through Piedmont’s patient portal.

Components of the program include:

·   Staff training and education: Training materials and staff scripting were developed to support staff across the care continuum, paying close attention to additional support and sensitivity around the social determinants of health screening tool and sensitive domains such as interpersonal safety.

·   Community-based organizations: In partnership with Piedmont’s hospital-based community relations teams, 145 new community-based organizations joined the Empowering You platform during the 2023 calendar year. This work is ongoing to build a robust community network to expand our reach and ensure patients are aware and have access to various community resources. Examples include: the Athens Community Council on Aging, Georgia Citizens Coalition on Hunger in Atlanta, the CSRA Economic Opportunity Authority in Augusta, Mercy Med of Columbus, and Salvation Army Macon. 

Piedmont already is looking ahead to how this program can be optimized and expanded across the system and the state as housing and food insecurity have become the top two search categories across Piedmont’s footprint. Over time, this data will help provide additional insights into the health disparities in each community Piedmont reaches, inform Piedmont’s clinical leaders to understand the challenges patients may face in treating chronic conditions and to help drive future initiatives to make a bigger impact in the community. All of these efforts are part of Piedmont’s commitment to empower Georgians by changing healthcare, as Piedmont truly believes that real change lives here.

Are you looking for new restaurants to try out? Yelp released a new list “Best New Restaurants of the South” and you can find one of the top 25 spots right here in Atlanta.

Yelp says it looked all over the South for chefs that are “pushing culinary boundaries” by putting their own spin on Southern classics.

Read More At: WSB-TV

Artisan Built Communities is proud to announce that the sales center is now open at Salacoa, a master-planned community under development in Calhoun. Homebuyers can tour the sales center, see the community and reserve the homesite of their choice.

“Salacoa offers a unique opportunity to live in a thriving new community with a strong sense of place,” said Stephen Haines, President of Artisan Built Communities. “Homeowners will enjoy a serene setting, top-notch amenities and affordable new construction homes.”

New homes at Salacoa are priced from the low $300,000s, making homeownership attainable for a variety of buyers. The community’s first phase, Rosewood at Salacoa, features 112 homesites and will debut Artisan Built Communities’ brand-new Horizons home plans, designed to offer open-concept layouts, high-quality finishes and exceptional affordability. The four available plans in this phase range from 1,234 to 1,763 square feet of living space with three or four bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. 

The first phase also includes a model park, along with a resort-style amenity complex. Vertical construction is expected to begin this summer.

Salacoa is designed for those who love to explore the outdoors. Homeowners enjoy a serene lake, walking trails and ample greenspace around the community. The amenity complex will be a focal point for fun, featuring a waterpark with slides and splash fountains, a swimming pool, spacious sun deck and more. Additionally, up to 1GB internet connection will be included for all residents.

The community is situated in a rapidly growing area, offering residents convenient access to shopping, dining and entertainment, as well as employment opportunities. Located off Lovers Lane Road just north of Highway 53, Salacoa offers homeowners easy access to I-75 and Highway 41. This prime location places homeowners conveniently between Atlanta and Chattanooga. The community is also close to destinations like the Calhoun Outlets, downtown Calhoun and the New Echota State Historic Site. Major employers such as Mohawk Industries, Apache Mills, M&S Logistics, Engineered Floors and AdventHealth Gordon Hospital are all just a short commute away.

Homebuyers interested in being a part of this unique community are encouraged to schedule an appointment with New Home Sales Agent Tyler Brookshire. Email salacoa@discoverartisan.com or call 678-515-9526. To learn more about Salacoa, visit SalacoaHomes.com. 

Star-C, an Atlanta-based non-profit with the mission to reduce transiency in local schools, has added a new member to its board of directors for a three-year term. The new board member is Stephen Davis, Senior Director of Government Affairs, Atlanta Apartment Association and Georgia Apartment Association. Davis has nearly 20 years of experience in government affairs and external relations.

Also, Ashish Bagle, Development Manager, TriBridge Residential, who has served on Star-C’s board for two years, takes on the position of board vice president. Bagle has 15 years’ experience in commercial real estate development and sustainability.

“Both Ashish and Stephen have the know-how and vision to help us continue building on a foundation of affordable housing for working families,” says Audrea Rease, Star-C Executive Director. “As we reach this incredible milestone of Star-C’s 10^th anniversary, Ashish and Stephen are helping Atlanta families, educators and communities build sustainable social capital so that they may flourish in the future.”

With nearly 20 years of experience in government affairs and external relations, Davis leverages his expertise in advocacy, policy and legislation to advance the interests of the apartment industry. In his current role, he liaises between the industry and government officials, manages the Georgia Better Government Fund and coordinates state government affairs activities. Davis previously worked in homebuilding and energy efficiency, as well as in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. He holds a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and History from The University of Alabama.

In addition to Bagle and Davis, other members of the Star-C board are: Frances Davis (no relation), community volunteer; Darion Dunn, Atlantica Properties; Lianne Epstein, LME Art + Design; Duncan Gibbs, TriStar Real Estate Investment; Barbara Guillory, Level Blend Consulting; Ryan Mills, Cohn Reznick; Michael Murphy, Community Leader; Richelle Patton, Collaborative Housing Solutions; Audrea Rease, TriStar Real Estate Investment; Kaitlyn Ross, 11Alive News; Sue Sullivan, real estate agent; and Marjy Stagmeier, TriStar Real Estate Investment. Stagmeier also is the Founder of Star-C and Rease is Star-C’s Executive Director. 

Partnering with affordable/workforce housing landlords, Star-C provides wraparound services addressing social determinants of health. At no cost to residents, Star-C offers free onsite afterschool programs and summer camps; eviction relief; food security; access to affordable healthcare; and more. Star-C Select, launched last year to expand Star-C’s reach beyond the core communities it serves, continues to expand, largely funded by a $1 million grant from a major healthcare company. Rease says this funding has been pivotal in scaling the program to include more properties and provide even more resources to the communities served. That funding also kicked off Star-C’s two-year capacity-building campaign.

Star-C – an Atlanta-based non-profit with the mission to reduce transiency in local schools – partners with responsible landlords to provide wraparound services for children and families in underserved apartment communities. Star-C is celebrating its 10th anniversary, which it is marking with a Sept. 25 event.

The Cobb Chamber’s Marquee Monday event series continues on Monday, August 12 with Senior United States Senator for Georgia, Jon Ossoff. Visiting during the August Senate recess, Senator Ossoff will discuss issues affecting the state during the current 118th Congress (2023-2024).

Born and raised in Georgia, Senator Ossoff serves as our Senior United States Senator. Since taking office on January 20, 2021, he has fostered bipartisanship in the Senate, achieving significant legislative results for Georgia, even in a divided Congress. In his first two years in office, Senator Ossoff passed more standalone bills into law than any other freshman Senator.

In addition to the keynote presentation, the Cobb Chamber’s Cobb Young Professionals will present the 2024 Next Generation Award.

Registration is now open through August 7 for the August Marquee Monday. Tickets are $50 for Cobb Chamber members and $75 for non-members. Attendees may register for the event at https://tinyurl.com/4727bzb9. Parking is available at The Battery Red Deck for free up to two hours. For further parking options, please refer to the Battery Atlanta Parking Guide. A security screening will be required at check-in.

The Marquee Monday Series is presented by Superior Plumbing and Superior Cooling & Heating. The August Marquee Monday is sponsored by Lockheed Martin, Cumberland Community Improvement District, Life University, Town Center Community Improvement District, Wellstar Health System, Bank of America, Coca-Cola Roxy & Live Nation Special Events, Delaware North, Pure Melon, and Classic Tents & Events.

For more information about the Marquee Monday event series, contact Jani Dix at jdix@cobbchamber.org or 770-859-2335.

President/CEO of the Georgia Research Alliance discusses the role and impact of Georgia’s research universities.

President of the Georgia Beverage Association Kevin Perry talks about the different ways the Georgia Beverage Association is working to protect the environment.

RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors, a top-rated roofing and outdoor exterior solutions provider that specializes in the insurance-claim sector, announces today the appointment of Matt Spanton as President of the Southeast region. Spanton will lead three of the company’s brands across six states including Perimeter Roofing, Humbled Roofing & Restoration, and Regal Roofing. RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors will benefit from Spanton’s more than two decades of experience working on large loss claim projects. 

“With Matt’s extensive project management and leadership skills, adding him to our team will strengthen our commitment to providing our customers with exceptional service and quality construction,” shares Gyner Ozgul, CEO of RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors.  “We are thrilled to have him join our team and look forward to his leadership on the many large projects we are working on in the Southeast.” 

Spanton is a construction and claims consulting expert with a proven track record of helping clients navigate their large loss claim restoration projects. Since 2002, he built CAT5 Contracting into one of the nation’s top 20 contracting firms. While simultaneously building CAT5 into the premier coastal general contracting company in Florida and the East Coast, he began honing his skills on large loss claims perfection for resorts, condominium associations and commercial properties. 

“I am honored to be appointed president of the growing Southeast region at RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors. From afar, it’s obvious the company shares the same commitment to customer service that I have shown throughout my more than 20-year career in the industry. Under my leadership of the Southeast region, I aspire for RAFTR Roofing + Exteriors to be an industry leader and innovator. I can’t wait to get started,” says Spanton, who lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, and will oversee the Southeast Division, based in Atlanta, Georgia.