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Wellroot Family Services has been awarded a $600,000 grant from the Liz Blake Giving Fund to support the expansion of our maternal and infant support home visitation program in Gwinnett County and launch new services in DeKalb and Fulton. This program leverages First Steps Georgia™ and the Healthy Families America® (HFA) model, an evidence-based approach to family support, to provide critical services to mothers and infants during the earliest years of life.

Alarming new insights from F-Secure’s U.S. Scam Intelligence & Impact Report show 90% of Americans were targeted in a digital scam attempt in the last year, with 1 in 4 believing they fell victim to a scam, and 3 in 10 losing money to cyber crime. These are just some of the concerning trends unmasked in the survey, revealing the rapidly rising prevalence of digital scams in the United States.

F-Secure, the world leader in scam protection, surveyed more than 1,000 Americans about their experience with scams and scam attempts, shining light on this rapidly growing security issue. The report found even more troubling trends in how scammers continuously exploit people:
 

• 66% of Americans encountered scams at least monthly last year – leading to loss of money, time, personal information, and data

• $159 Billion was lost to scams in the U.S. alone last year, with scam victims losing $2,600 each on average (GASA)

• 7 in 10 Americans admit worrying about their online safety

• 40% of Americans say they face more scam attempts now than they did just 12 months ago

• 57% of Americans think they will be scammed in the future

   

Thanks to advances in AI technology and the ever-increasing digitization of our daily lives – from paying bills and online shopping, to virtual healthcare and even online dating – scam attempts are going to continue rising. F-Secure stops these threats in their tracks, warning potential scam victims the moment they’re at risk.

“As scammers become more sophisticated, we will only see an increase in them targeting people of all ages and backgrounds,” said Laura Kankaala, Head of Threat Intelligence at F-Secure. “The rise of AI adds a new layer to how U.S. citizens can be taken advantage of, as this technology is being leveraged nefariously to create believable fake voices and images from citizens’ data, such as pictures, videos and audio posted on the internet. Ultimately, it’s up to us to take back our power and protect ourselves by combining technology, expertise, education, best practices, and vigilance.”
 

It’s clear that consumers want their service providers to protect them from these cyber threats: 81% globally say they trust their broadband operators to provide digital protection, and 71% also trust their insurance companies. More than 200 of these service providers use F-Secure as their security partner, allowing them to give their subscribers cutting-edge cyber security solutions, and protecting tens of millions of people from the constant digital dangers they face.
 

Click here to read F-Secure’s full U.S. Scam Intelligence & Impact Report.

At the 44th Annual OBIE Awards celebration, Kolter Homes was honored with four Gold and Two silver awards for its Atlanta area Cresswind communities.

Cresswind at Spring Haven, Kolter’s newest active adult community in Newnan, was recognized with four Gold awards and one Silver. Opened in March 2024, the community has sold over 100 homes and offers active adult home shoppers 12 unique home designs to choose from, including the Lila, which won a Gold OBIE in the Best Building Design for a detached model priced from $700,000 to $799,999. The Valerie won a Silver OBIE in the Single Family Detached $800,000 and above category. 

The highlight of the Lila model home is the screened-in covered lanai off the great room and living area on the main floor. Folding glass doors from the great room can be opened to create the perfect extended space for entertaining and enjoying the great outdoors. With its blend of functionality, privacy, and style, the Lila model offers a perfect sanctuary for active adults looking for a home that meets their unique needs and desires. With a spacious three-car garage, there is ample room for storage and convenience. 

The Valerie model home is a showstopper with an open-concept gathering space. The great room sits off the kitchen, adjacent to a sizable dining area. A 15-foot folding glass door wall provides views of the lanai and outdoor area behind the home, visually connecting the outdoors to the indoors when closed and physically when fully open. This home is popular for active adult homebuyers who love entertaining due to its exceptional design and thoughtful features across 3,208 square feet of living space. This spacious and versatile floor plan offers comfortable living in a home that values space and functionality. 

Cresswind at Spring Haven also won three Gold OBIE awards for Best Community Information & Sales Center, Best Design Center and Best Interactive Tool for its interactive sales kiosk. 

“These awards are a testament to Kolter Homes’ commitment to delivering an exceptional customer experience for active adult homebuyers,” said Andrew Hitch, Community Director of Cresswind at Spring Haven. “From our thoughtfully designed home plans to our innovative sales tools, we are proud to offer an experience that reflects the needs of our residents. These OBIE awards validate our team’s work in creating vibrant, engaging communities where people can thrive.”

Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes in Hoschton, Georgia, won a Silver OBIE for its Pear model in the Single Family Detached $700,000 to $799,999 category. The Pear model home is a crowd favorite because of its versatile bonus room, which can be transformed into a media room, home office, fitness studio or additional bedroom. The Pear offers 2,390 square feet of thoughtful, versatile living space perfect for active adult home buyers. 

“The Pear is a favorite model amongst our homebuyers,” said Jennifer Landers, Community Director of Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. “Its versatility truly sets it apart, offering adaptable spaces that meet the unique needs of active adult buyers. This OBIE award is a wonderful recognition of our team’s dedication to providing thoughtful, flexible living spaces that enhance the Cresswind lifestyle.” 

Presented by the Atlanta Sales and Marketing Council (SMC) on behalf of the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association (HBA), the OBIE Awards is a prestigious affair that includes more than 100 categories in remodeling, marketing, personal achievement and building to recognize the top professionals in the metro Atlanta real estate industry.

Prospective buyers interested in the 55+ lifestyle at Cresswind at Spring Haven are encouraged to visit www.CresswindSpringHaven.com to learn more. To learn more about Cresswind Georgia, visit www.CresswindGeorgia.com. For complete details regarding the latest Cresswind communities throughout Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas, visit www.Cresswind.com. 

The Kolter Group LLC is a private investment firm focused on real estate development and investment based in Delray Beach, Florida. Led by CEO Robert “Bobby” Julien, the Kolter Group LLC (together with its affiliates, “Kolter”) includes four residential development business units. Kolter has sponsored over $26 billion of realized and in-process real estate projects throughout the southeastern United States (including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee).

• Kolter has completed 84 residential projects, delivering over 23,000 units.

• Kolter has current investment in 80 residential projects expected to deliver a total of over 56,000 units.

Kolter Homes LLC, together with its affiliates (together with its affiliates, “Kolter Homes”), is focused on the development, construction, and sale of 500-1,500 for-sale single-family units, often as Cresswind branded, age-restricted, amenity-rich master-planned communities, with additional focus on smaller traditional and age-targeted add-on communities of 100-500 homes. Kolter Homes has sponsored over $12.9 billion of realized and in-process real estate projects throughout the southeastern United States.

• Kolter Homes has completed 17 projects, delivering over 7,000 residences.

• Kolter Homes has current investment in 26 projects expected to deliver a total of over 19,000 residences. 

For more information visit georgia.org/

Credit: Georgia Chamber

On Wednesday, November 13, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2024 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit. The summit took place at the Georgia International Convention Center, with more than 250 people in attendance. Complete Contract Consulting, Fiserv and Georgia Power served as Presenting Sponsors for the Summit.   

The Georgia Chamber Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit is an annual event and the leading conversation on DE&I work within the Georgia business community. 

Some of the highlights of the 2024 DE&I Summit included a keynote presentation from Jay Bailey, President & CEO of the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs and the world-renowned researcher Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor Director, Atmospheric Sciences Program, University of Georgia who led a fireside chat Disproportionate Impacts of Weather on Communities.     

Mishaune Sawyer, Senior Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Manager, East Region, JE Dunn Construction and Chair of the Georgia Chamber Diversity and Inclusion Council said:  

“The 2024 Georgia Chamber Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Summit was truly inspiring. The focus on making communities stronger together could not be more crucial right now. It is incredibly fulfilling to chair the DEI Council and to contribute to such meaningful work.  Thank you to Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark, Georgia Chamber Vice President of Talent Management and Diversity Tasha Allen, and the entire Georgia Chamber team who put this wonderful event together.”   

Tasha Allen, Vice President of Talent Management and Diversity of the Georgia Chamber said:  

“Creating a Georgia business community that truly values diversity, equity, and inclusion is fully integrated into the mission of the Georgia Chamber. At our 2024 DE&I Summit, we took an important step to meeting that goal. Through a wide range of discussions focusing on supporting minority-owned businesses, embracing second chance hiring, creating spaces for individuals with disabilities, breaking down barriers to healthcare, and how to have resilient communities, we forged pathways that empower everyone in our community. The Georgia Chamber looks forward to continuing this successful partnership as we commit to the work ahead.” `

Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced the opening of a new building in Atlanta, Georgia. As the newest Fortinet-owned facility to open this year, the company remains deeply committed to its global expansion strategy, aiming to drive innovation and strengthen collaboration for Fortinet’s customers, partners, employees, and other key stakeholders around the world.

Representing an initial investment of more than $15 million, the 215,000-square-foot, 10-story building will serve as a Fortinet Innovation Hub, contributing to the region’s ongoing growth and job development. The new space will include the following: 

• Fortinet Cloud Point of Presence: Fortinet will continue building out its cloud infrastructure with this new FortiCloud Point of Presence (POP). This POP will be optimized by Fortinet’s proprietary ASIC technology to enable the company to further deliver advanced services to customers with a superior user experience while enabling cost savings.

• Executive Briefing Center (EBC): This new EBC will serve as a collaborative space, welcoming customers and other stakeholders to help drive business growth and foster partnerships.

• Cyber Training Facility: The space will provide an environment that cultivates in-person learning by delivering the Fortinet Training Institute’s award-winning certification program curriculum, advancing Fortinet’s efforts to address the cyber skills gap.

• Customer Support Expansion: The local services and sales team will continue to offer their extensive expertise and knowledge to the region, enhancing customer support and ensuring greater satisfaction.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place on November 15, attended by Fortinet leadership, including Ken Xie, Founder, Chairman of the Board, and Chief Executive Officer, among others.

Fortinet is also donating to the Hire Heroes USA’s Atlanta chapter and Cyversity’s Atlanta chapter to further its investment in the region and deepen its existing partnership with both organizations. As part of the Fortinet Training Institute Education Outreach program, Hire Heroes USA is focused on helping veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment, and Cyversity is focused on empowering women, veterans, and underrepresented communities. Fortinet works alongside both organizations to build a diverse, inclusive, and highly skilled cyber workforce.

Markets Wait for the Presidential Inauguration

US Economic and Stock Market Surge The 2024 stock market bull run is set to run faster and higher beginning next spring and extending for the next 5 years under the now-forming government of President Trump. After the initial irrational exuberance, markets are a little flat this week as investors take some profits, and ponder…

Georgia Ports Mason Mega Rail is the largest on terminal rail facility in the Western Hemisphere.  The facility handles 42 trains a week with dual access to CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads. Average rail dwell for import containers is 24 hrs from vessel to rail departure. 

The Georgia Ports Authority handled 494,261 twenty-foot equivalent container units in October, an increase of more than 45,000 TEUs, up 10 percent.

It was the third busiest October on record for GPA after 2021 and 2022, when more than half a million TEUs crossed the docks at the Port of Savannah.

“Despite the cargo increases this year, many customers continue to divert to the U.S. West Coast while the contract negotiations are ongoing,” said Georgia Ports President and CEO Griff Lynch. 

GPA terminal velocity is exceptional with containers connecting from vessel to rail in one day. The on terminal Mason Mega Rail facility provides rail service to customers via both Norfolk Southern and CSX. 

Georgia Ports Chairman Kent Fountain said “I want to thank our Georgia Ports employees, the local ILA, Gateway Terminals, the Pilots and all our port partners in Brunswick and Savannah for the great work they’re doing to keep our ports competitive and easy to use by our customers.”

Record October trade through the Appalachian Regional Port helped boost GPA’s performance with an October high of 3666 rail lifts at the Northwest Georgia inland port up 4.4 percent.

For the first four months of fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024-Oct. 31, 2024), GPA has moved 1.9 million TEUs, up 211,320 or 12.3 percent.

In autos and high/heavy machinery, Colonel’s Island handled 68,569 units of Roll-on/Roll-off cargo in October and 300,647 RoRo units fiscal year-to-date, up 10.6 percent.   

Georgia Ports received an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Ports Port grant in October to implement electrification infrastructure to support ships at berth to plug-in to shore power and turn off auxiliary-powered diesel engines. The $46 million grant also covers replacement of diesel terminal tractors with electric terminal tractors and electric charging infrastructure. “These initiatives are designed to create positive impacts to the community and ensure we’re a good neighbor,” added Lynch. 

Parkland Residential announces it has broken ground at Morgan Park, a community of 124 build-to-rent (BTR) townhomes located between E. Laier Avenue and Booker Avenue in the City of Fayetteville, Georgia. Land development is expected to take nine months and home construction will start next summer on this 9.3-acre community. 

A testament to New-Urbanism planning, the rear-entry stacked townhomes at Morgan Park will be situated in 10 buildings surrounding a picturesque town green. The green will serve as the heart of the community and feature a sprawling amenity center with a large cabana, two pools, a huge playfield and a dedicated mail kiosk.

“We are so excited to begin land development at our new Manor Park community in Fayetteville,” Parkland Communities President Jim Jacobi said. “It was a pleasure working with the City officials to help supply much-needed essential housing to support growth in the area.”

Morgan Park townhomes masterfully blend luxury with functionality. Each rear-entry stacked townhome has a one-car garage and offers options of two or three spacious bedrooms. The expansive owner’s suites feature large walk-in closets and chic baths with dual vanities. The open floor plans allow generously sized kitchens to flow seamlessly into vast family rooms, perfect for entertaining guests. Each home provides a covered outdoor living space for enjoying views of the adjoining greenspaces and woodlands or hosting evening gatherings.

The three-bedroom plan offers 1,950 square feet with two-and-a-half baths and a loft, while the two-bedroom homes provide a comfortable 1,600 square feet of living space and two-and-a-half bathrooms. Manor Park also provides “All Inclusive Living,” so the residents will experience a hassle-free, maintenance-free lifestyle with rental rates starting at just $2,400 a month, which is surprisingly lower than home ownership costs.

Fayetteville is a charming town with a booming local economy. It is home to Trilith Studios, and the U.S. Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) is currently building a $228 million national training center nearby in Fayette County. It is also brimming with activities and attractions, from lush city parks and local theater productions to historical landmarks. The city’s diverse culinary scene and vibrant festivals further enhance why many people choose to call Fayetteville home.

Children living in Morgan Falls will attend Spring Hill Elementary School, Bennett’s Mill Middle School and Fayette County High School.