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The Georgia Society of Professional Engineers (GSPE) is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Engineer of the Year Awards. These prestigious awards honor the remarkable contributions of engineers and organizations who have demonstrated excellence in their profession and community. Nominations are being accepted through September 27, 2024.

The awards recognize outstanding achievements in various categories, celebrating both seasoned professionals and emerging talent in the engineering field. GSPE encourages nominations from peers, employers, and educators across Georgia.

“This is an exciting time for the engineering community in Georgia, as we take a moment to celebrate and honor those who continue to push boundaries and make significant contributions to our profession,” said Amanda Hendley, Executive Director of GSPE. “We encourage everyone to nominate deserving candidates and join us in recognizing the best of the best.”

Award Categories:

–          GSPE Lifetime Achievement in Engineering: Celebrating a lifetime of dedication and contribution to the engineering profession.

–          GSPE Engineer of the Year in Various Sectors: Recognizing exceptional engineers in Construction, Education, Government, Industry, and Private Practice

–          GSPE Young Engineer of the Year: Honoring a young professional under 35 years old for outstanding early career achievements and contributions to the field.

–          GSPE Engineering Student of the Year and Engineering Technology Student of the Year: Acknowledging outstanding students in engineering disciplines.

–          GSPE Engineering Employer of the Year: Recognizing organizations that support and foster engineering excellence.

–          Engineering Organization Volunteer of the Year: Celebrating individuals who have generously volunteered their time and expertise to advance the engineering profession.

Winners will be announced March 7, 2025 at the Georgia Engineering Awards, a fun-filled, black-tie awards event celebrating exceptional engineers, engineering projects, and the achievements of the industry!

To submit a nomination, please visit https://gspe.org/engineer-of-the-year-awards-2/ for the nomination forms and detailed award criteria. The nomination and application period is open now through  September 27, 2024 , so don’t miss this opportunity to honor the achievements of Georgia’s engineers.

In addition to encouraging nominations, GSPE welcomes sponsorships for the awards banquet. Sponsors will gain exposure to a diverse audience of engineering professionals and industry leaders while supporting excellence in the engineering community. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Amanda at amanda@gspe.org.

 

• Financial expert Nicole Jensen, CPA, sheds light on the financial jargon Americans are searching for the most, as identified by a new study.

• Georgia was found to be making the seventh-most finance-related searches – while Maryland ranks top, followed by Virginia and New York, rounding out the top three states.

• Data finds that there are over 3.38 million searches for FAFSA made per month – which is more than one search every second of every day.  

NOW OPEN! Nominations are being accepted for the 2025 National Small Business Week Awards, which recognize the achievements of small businesses and their contributions to America’s economy. The deadline to submit nomination packages is Thursday, Dec. 5 at 4:00 p.m. ET.

Register for our webinar on Friday, September 20 at 12 p.m. to learn about the eligibility requirements, guidelines, and various award categories. RSVP here.

*All nominated small businesses must have received some form of SBA assistance such as counseling through SBA Resource Partners, financial assistance, exporting assistance, THRIVE participant, 8a participant, etc.*

The GA Veterans Business Outreach Center is hiring! 

The Georgia Veterans Business Outreach Center (VBOC), an SBA Resource Partner that provides small business counseling services for veteran entrepreneurs, is hiring a full-time instructor. The position is responsible for classroom instruction and evaluating students’ progress in attaining goals and objectives for Boots to Business/Reboot courses throughout the state of Georgia.

For more information about major responsibilities, qualifications, salary, and benefits, visit the Central Georgia Technical College job announcement here.

Upcoming Small Business Training Events

UGA Morehouse College Small Business Development Center – Federal Contracting Summit
Small Business Development Center

From becoming a subcontractor for the federal government to harnessing the potential of AI and forming strategic alliances, this summit is your gateway to winning lucrative procurement opportunities and achieving sustainable growth.

Friday, September 13, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

Putting It All Together – The Business Plan
SCORE North Metro Atlanta

Think of a Business Plan as your checklist for managing an enterprise successfully. It is the roadmap that sets the destination and the path to get there.

Friday, September 13, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

Leveraging the Power of LinkedIn to Grow Your Business
Small Business Development Center

Although it’s the “grandfather” of social media, LinkedIn may be one of the most underutilized social networks when it comes to digital marketing. When it comes to building business relationships and targeting a specific professional group, LinkedIn offers very powerful options.

Monday, September 16, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

Winning in Business Series: Part 3 – From Data to Dollars, Planning for Growth
SBA Georgia District Office and SCORE Georgia

This session will help you gain confidence in your financial planning. Level up with a plan: gain new market territory, offer new products and expand your services, and create new partnerships to help your small business succeed.

Monday, September 16, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

SBA Overview – Webinar  
SBA Georgia District Office

We will cover the (4) pillars of the SBA which includes, access to capital, federal contracting, counseling, and disaster assistance.

Tuesday, September 17, 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. ET REGISTER HERE

 

SBAC and CCCS Present: Credit Building Workshop for Entrepreneurs
Small Business Assistance Corporation

Gain valuable insights on how to establish strong credit and achieve your business goals. Learn how to pull, read, and repair your credit score and qualify for a $1,000 small business loan. 

Tuesday, September 17, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program
SBA Georgia District

Before you can participate in the women’s federal contracting program, you must either use SBA FREE online application or an approved third-party certifier.  Both methods will require you to use the WOSB.Certify.sba.gov new portal.

Tuesday, September 17, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

Transform Customers Into Brand Ambassadors
Small Business Development Center

In this class, you’ll learn how to harness the power of data-driven customer-centric marketing to acquire and retain customers, set marketing goals that make sense for your business, create engaging marketing collateral tailored to each stage of the buyer’s journey, and track and optimize your marketing campaigns for maximum impact. 

Wednesday, September 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

Unlocking Your Business Potential: A Guide to Using Business Coaching and Consulting
SCORE North Metro Atlanta

This Live Online Workshop is a comprehensive guide designed to walk you through the fundamentals of business coaching and consultation. It will help you determine if your business could benefit from these services and what to expect. You will learn how to select the right coach or consultant tailored to your specific needs.

Wednesday, September 18, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

From Risky to Resilient: Strategic Growth for Entrepreneurs
Small Business Development Center

Explore what growth means for your business, identify the internal and external obstacles that can derail that growth, and develop a proactive (not reactive!) strategy to mitigate the risk that will come your way. Connect with a panel of industry experts who specialize in helping businesses prepare for threats and uncertainty.

Wednesday, September 18, 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE

Introduction to Intellectual Property Fundamentals  
Small Business Development Center

New to patents, trademarks, copyrights, or trade secrets? Get a solid foundation in intellectual property (IP) and learn how to safeguard your innovations as you move from concept to creation.

Wednesday, September 18, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

Mitos y Realidades del Financiamiento 
Small Business Development Center

Pensar en el financiamiento de su pequeño negocio puede convertirse en un dolor de cabeza por eso estamos aquí para ayudarle. Acompáñenos a participar de nuestra clase gratuita Mitos y Realidades del Financiamiento para Pequeños Negocios donde compartiremos información relevante de como para aplicar a los préstamos de la nueva iniciativa SSBCI (State Small Business Credit Iniative) por sus siglas en ingles en todo el estado de Georgia.

Thursday, September 19, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE

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Never Fire on a Friday: Termination Best Practices 
Small Business Development Center

The process of terminating an employee can be one of the most difficult aspects of being a manager/employee. This two-hour webinar will teach business owners and managers how to apply the four types of termination techniques commonly used by Human Resource Managers.

Friday, September 20, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE

Boost Your Small Business With AI-Powered Digital Marketing
Small Business Development Center

We’re in the middle of an Artificial Intelligence boom. AI has emerged as a game-changing technology that can revolutionize the way businesses approach marketing. Learn about the technology behind AI, which tools are helpful, and how your business can get started using AI for marketing.

Friday, September 20, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE
 

 

 

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Submitting an Award-Winning 2025 NSBW Nomination  
SBA Georgia District Office 

The SBA is NOW ACCEPTING nominations for the 2025 Small Business Week Awards!

 

Join this online event to learn about the SBA Georgia District Office’s nomination categories, eligibility, submission documents, and tips for writing an award-winning nomination package.

Friday, September 20, 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE

 

 

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Small Business Take Off: Warner Robins Townhall with Mayor Patrick and SBA  
SBA Georgia District Office and the City of Warner Robins

Join Mayor LaRhonda Patrick on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at the Aviation Museum for a Small Business Take Off Townhall. This event is designed for small business owners in the Warner Robins area to learn about resources and procurement assistance to help take their companies to the next level of growth.

Tuesday, September 24, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ET REGISTER HERE

Lower mortgage rates and rising inventory are giving home buyers a window of opportunity at an unusual time of year, according to the latest market report¹ from Zillow®. Affordability has improved substantially for home buyers, and competition among them could extend into the fall instead of fading away as is typical at this time of year.

“Late summer may be an opportunity for buyers who have been waiting in the wings for a monthly mortgage payment they can qualify for,” said Skylar Olsen, Zillow chief economist. “Buyers have more options to choose from for two reasons. For one, it’s easier to qualify for more of the homes on the market now that mortgage rates are a bit lower. Beyond that, more inventory is becoming available — enough to improve buyer negotiating power. Attractive properties in hot markets are still selling quickly, but some metros — or neighborhoods within them — have flipped further in favor of buyers.”

Mortgage rate declines have made buying a home roughly affordable again at the national level (meaning monthly payments generally take less than one-third of median household income), assuming a buyer puts 20% down and before taxes and insurance are accounted for. Nationwide, the monthly payment on a typical home purchase has fallen by more than $100 since a peak in May. That drop is more than $300 a month in the ultraexpensive San Francisco metro area. 

Beyond lower costs, a number of metrics are moving in buyers’ favor. The Zillow market heat index shifted from being in favor of sellers into neutral territory in July. For the past two years, sellers held their edge nationally until October. 

Homes are taking longer to sell than in recent history, but shorter than in pre-pandemic times. Homes that sold in August took 20 days to go pending, two more than in July, but about six days faster than at this time of year before the pandemic. And while inventory growth has slowed, nearly 1.18 million homes are on the market, more than any month since September 2020. 

Lower rates could stall or slow a normal autumn cooldown, because right now buyers are more likely to be motivated by lower rates than sellers are. 

Some signals are already pointing to an altered trajectory in the housing market. The share of listings on Zillow with a price cut ticked down from July to August, reversing an upward trend of rising every month since March. Just under 26% of homes on the market had a price cut in August. That’s relatively high for this time of year, but not a record, as seen in recent months. 

Opportunities for buyers

• Lower rates mean improved affordability: Purchasing power is greater, and buying a house may now fit into buyers’ monthly budgets. 
• Homes are taking longer to sell, giving buyers more time to decide and more leverage in negotiations.
• Inventory continues to slowly recover from a years-long shortfall, giving buyers more options.

Opportunities for sellers

• Well-priced and -marketed homes are still selling relatively quickly, in 20 days, almost a week faster than at this time of year before the pandemic.
• Lower mortgage rates could raise buyer competition in the fall. The share of homes with a price cut dropped in August. 
• One-third of homes that sold in July — the most recent data available — went for more than asking price.
• Seventy percent of sellers turn around and buy — the benefits to buyers given above apply to their next home. 

Create Impact and Become Unforgettable

Making Impact on Your Visitors is High Priority For a decade now, marketers have been focusing more on the visitor experience and user engagement. Yet the first part of experience and engagement is the impact your content and brand makes on visitors.  You may have some great product shots, a nice-looking webpage, and a couple…

Regions Bank on Wednesday announced Bill Linginfelter – the company’s Atlanta market executive and Commercial Banking regional executive for Georgia and the Carolinas – will retire at the end of the year following 16 years of service to Regions and more than 46 years in banking. 

Veteran Atlanta banker Mary Beth Coke, who joined Regions last year and works hand-in-hand with Linginfelter in serving business clients, will succeed Linginfelter as Atlanta market executive and Commercial Banking regional executive. 

“Thanks largely to Bill Linginfelter, Regions Bank is known as a super-regional bank that offers the products and services of a money center bank with the care and customized attention that only a local banker provides,” said John Turner, Chairman, President and CEO of Regions Financial Corp. “Bill leads by helping associates discover their talents and empowering them to flourish in ways that benefit the bank, its customers, and the communities we serve. It takes an exceptional leader to build on the legacy of someone like Bill, and we are proud that such a leader – Mary Beth Coke – is already part of the Regions family and surrounded by Regions’ strong Atlanta leadership team.” 

Turner added, “Mary Beth is actively building on Bill’s legacy by deepening relationships with clients and fostering continued teamwork among our Atlanta bankers as we help people and businesses achieve financial success. She is passionate about service, innovation, and data-driven decision making. And that’s how we’ll continue to win in Atlanta and beyond.”

Linginfelter joined Regions in 2008 after spending the first three decades of his career in leadership roles for other financial institutions. Linginfelter began his banking career in 1978 in a training program for Fulton National Bank, a predecessor for Bank of America. He later held the role of Georgia CEO for SouthTrust Bank and Wachovia Bank, before helping establish Atlanta as a key growth market for Regions. 

Coke joined Regions in 2023 following 20 years of Commercial Banking and leadership roles at Truist and SunTrust. Linginfelter and Coke will work hand-in-hand through the end of the year to establish a seamless transition. Together, they will meet with clients, community organizations, and others to reaffirm Regions’ commitment to not only custom-tailored financial services but also strategic community engagement that enables Regions to make a meaningful difference throughout North Georgia. That strategy involves advancing economic and community development, supporting education and workforce readiness, and increasing financial wellness. 

Coke will maintain her role as board chair for the Georgia Council on Economic Education (GCEE), whose mission is to equip Georgia’s K-12 students with the tools and knowledge of personal finance and economics so they can make better decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities. Additionally, she and Linginfelter will coordinate with additional members of Regions’ Atlanta leadership team and leading business groups in the area to establish seamless board representation, maintaining the bank’s strategic and consistent civic involvement. 

“Our focus at Regions is to remove barriers to success – and to help more people succeed and thrive,” Coke said. “We do that by devoting more of our time, talents, and financial resources toward causes that empower more people, elevate our neighborhoods, and result in a stronger community for everyone.  

“Banking at its core is about getting to know people, understanding the needs of businesses, and leveraging your experience and insights to connect them with solutions that are designed to help them succeed,” Coke added. “I look forward to guiding our teams as we work to make sure more people and businesses know Regions is a trusted source for helping them build successful outcomes. We’re not here to say, ‘No,’ or, ‘We can’t.’ We’re here to say, ‘How can we help you?’”

Regions’ Atlanta leadership team also includes Mia Hubbard, Consumer Banking executive for Georgia and the Carolinas, and Ty Smith, Private Wealth Management regional executive, who guides teams delivering in-depth investment services. Together, Coke, Hubbard, Smith, and additional Regions leaders will focus their teams on successfully implementingRegions360. Regions360 is the bank’s way of bringing together Regions colleagues in Consumer Banking, Commercial Banking, Mortgage Banking, Wealth Management, and other functions to deliver holistic financial solutions for Atlanta-area clients as “One Team, One Regions.” 

It’s a service commitment that Linginfelter is proud to have supported – and one he is confident will remain strong. 

“Putting people first should always remain at the top of the list,” Linginfelter said. “You get the job done by having the right people in place. You keep the right people in place by taking good care of them. You take good care of your people by paying attention to their needs, and finding solutions for those needs. And they turn around and do the same for clients and the community. I’m truly grateful for the experiences I’ve had throughout my career. And I know Mary Beth and our entire Atlanta leadership team will continue to lean into the tailored service and customized solutions that define Regions’ approach to banking.”

 

Three new Georgia charter schools are set to open in fall 2025 and 2026 after gaining approval from the State Charter Schools Commission of Georgia (SCSC). On Wednesday, Aug. 28, the SCSC approved Dominion Purpose Academy, a start-up charter school planning to locate in Columbus, Georgia. The SCSC also authorized petitions for Fayette Classical Academy and Cherokee Classical Academy, both of which are replications of Atlanta Classical Academy and plan to open in Fayette and Cherokee counties.

All three schools participated in the Georgia Charter Schools Association’s Charter Incubator program, a competitive training process designed to attract and prepare top talent for establishing or replicating public charter schools in Georgia. Fayette Classical Academy and Cherokee Classical Academy were part of GCSA’s Replication and Expansion Cohort in partnership with the State Charter Schools Foundation of Georgia. 

“We’re excited that these approvals will expand charter school access to more communities across our state,” said Dr. Bonnie Holliday, President and CEO of the Georgia Charter Schools Association. “The opening of these public charter schools in Muscogee, Fayette, and Cherokee counties will help meet the growing demand and offer essential educational options to thousands of students.”

“The SCSC’s approval of each new school marks a monumental achievement for education in our state, as we celebrate the authorization of schools supported through the GCSA Incubator. The journey of each school is a testament to the power of collaboration, vision, and dedication,” said Christa Thomas, GCSA’s Vice President of New School Development. “We are honored to have partnered with visionary leaders, passionate community advocates, and dedicated governing board members who have all been unwavering in bringing educational options to their communities. Each school stands as a beacon of opportunity, ready to deliver high-quality education to families who have long sought these choices. This is more than just the opening of new schools; it’s the fulfillment of a collective dream to enrich our communities and empower our students.”

Dominion Purpose Academy, Cherokee Classical Academy, and Fayette Classical Academy received state approval after completing the GCSA Charter Incubator program. This program supports start-up schools through the charter petition process and provides coaching and professional development during their initial two years. The Incubator also provides existing charter schools and charter networks with the training, resources, and support to scale proven models of success to serve additional locations or students.

“The approval of Dominion Purpose Academy by the SCSC is a historic vote for the families in Columbus, Georgia. As the first start-up charter school in the area, Dominion Purpose Academy will provide another schooling option for families, allowing students to become more confident thinkers who make a direct impact on their communities,” said Dr. LaTasha Adams, Executive Director and Founder of Dominion Purpose Academy. “We sincerely appreciate the SCSC for their generous support and the GCSA Incubator for its essential guidance in shaping our school design process.”

“We are grateful to the State Charter School Commission for allowing us to share their mission of providing high-quality public education through charter schools,” said Dr. Matt Stone, Liberty’s Director of New Schools. “Our outreach has shown how much the classical education model is in demand, and we’re thrilled to serve in these communities. The GCSA Incubator Program has been instrumental in helping us strengthen our model and prepare for replication, offering unwavering support that has significantly contributed to our organization’s growth.”

Dominion Purpose Academy
Dominion Purpose Academy is the first charter school in Columbus, Georgia, that was designed with community support to serve families in Muscogee County. The tuition-free public school will serve students in grades 4-8 and seeks to open in Fall 2025 with grades 6 and 7. The school’s mission is to cultivate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of confident thinkers who learn on purpose through relationships, rigor, and relevance. Design Thinking and Servant Leadership undergird everything at Dominion Purpose Academy as the school strives to ensure educational excellence and equity for all students.

Cherokee Classical Academy and Fayette Classical Academy
The mission of Liberty’s schools is to form knowledgeable, virtuous citizens. Fayette Classical Academy and Cherokee Classical Academy will be replicated after Liberty’s flagship campus, Atlanta Classical Academy. The schools will be non-selective, tuition-free and will offer a rigorous, classical curriculum with a focus on civic virtue. The content-rich, liberal arts curriculum includes literature, history, mathematics, sciences, Latin, the arts, character education, and ultimately a host of sports, fine arts, and extracurricular activities.

Each school will begin with students in grades K-6 and add a grade per year until reaching their full K-12 configuration. Fayette Classical Academy is approved to open in August 2025 and will serve residents of Fayette, Coweta, Spalding, Clayton, Fulton, and Henry Counties, and the City of Atlanta. Cherokee Classical Academy is approved to open in August 2026 and serve residents of Cherokee, Cobb, Paulding, Pickens, Bartow, Fulton Counties, and the cities of Marietta, Atlanta, and Cartersville.

Eleven (11) Atlanta Public Schools scholars have been named National Merit Scholarship Semifinalists.

Today officials of National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC®) announced the names of more than 16,000 Semifinalists in the 70th annual National Merit Scholarship Program. These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 6,870 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million that will be offered next spring. 

To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, Semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the Finalist level of the competition.

About 95 percent of the Semifinalists are expected to attain Finalist standing, and approximately half of the Finalists will win a National Merit Scholarship, earning the Merit Scholar® title. The APS Semifinalists are 

Maynard Jackson High School

Lewis A. Poma
James A. Zimmerman 

Midtown High School

Henry L. Carter
Lila E. Duke
Charles H. Heydt
Charlotte F. Keenan
Ellalaine D. Sagarin
William P. Thomas

North Atlanta High School

Lela M. Ganske
Joseph C. Nieves
Alfred Ponder 

More information about the National Merit Scholarship Program

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program.

Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 280 business organizations, higher education institutions, and individual donors that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

Steps in the 2025 Competition

Over 1.3 million juniors in about 21,000 high schools entered the 2025 National Merit Scholarship Program by taking the 2023 Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT®), which served as an initial screen of program entrants. The nationwide pool of Semifinalists, representing less than one percent of U.S. high school seniors, includes the highest-scoring entrants in each state. The number of Semifinalists in a state is proportional to the state’s percentage of the national total of graduating seniors. 

To become a Finalist, the Semifinalist and a high school official must submit a detailed scholarship application, in which they provide information about the Semifinalist’s academic record, participation in school and community activities, demonstrated leadership abilities, employment, and honors and awards received. A Semifinalist must have an outstanding academic record throughout high school, be endorsed and recommended by a high school official, write an essay, and earn SAT® or ACT® scores that confirm the student’s earlier performance on the qualifying test.

From over 16,000 Semifinalists, more than 15,000 are expected to advance to the Finalist level, and in February 2025 they will be notified of this designation. All National Merit Scholarship winners will be selected from this group of Finalists. Merit Scholar designees are selected on the basis of their skills, accomplishments, and potential for success in rigorous college studies, without regard to gender, race, ethnic origin, or religious preference.

National Merit Scholarships

Three types of National Merit Scholarships will be offered in the spring of 2025. Every Finalist will compete for one of 2,500 National Merit® $2500 Scholarships that will be awarded on a state-representational basis. About 770 corporate-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards will be provided by approximately 130 corporations and business organizations for Finalists who meet their specified criteria, such as children of the grantor’s employees or residents of communities where sponsor plants or offices are located. In addition, about 150 colleges and universities are expected to finance some 3,600 college-sponsored Merit Scholarship awards for Finalists who will attend the sponsor institution.

National Merit Scholarship winners of 2025 will be announced in four nationwide news releases beginning in April and concluding in July. These scholarship recipients will join more than 382,000 other distinguished young people who have earned the Merit Scholar title.