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ATA Truck Tonnage Index Rose 1.2% in March

American Trucking Associations’ advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 1.2% in March after increasing 1.8% in February. In March, the index equaled 120.4 (2015=100) compared with 119 in February.

“March was the storm before the calm, especially for carriers hauling consumer staples, which experienced strong freight levels,” said ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello. “But there was a huge divergence among freight types. While freight to grocery stores and big box retailers was strong in March, especially late March, due to surge buying by households, freight was anemic in other supply chains, like that for gasoline, restaurants, and auto factories.  

“Because of this, and the continued shuttering of many parts of the economy, I would expect April tonnage to be very soft,” he said.

Compared with March 2019, the SA index increased 4.3%, which was preceded by a 2.6% year-over-year gain in February. During the first quarter, the index rose 1.5% compared with the fourth quarter of last year and 2.4% from a year earlier.

The not seasonally adjusted index, which represents the change in tonnage actually hauled by the fleets before any seasonal adjustment, equaled 120.9 in March, 11.8% above the February level (108.2). In calculating the index, 100 represents 2015.

Trucking serves as a barometer of the U.S. economy, representing 71.4% of tonnage carried by all modes of domestic freight transportation, including manufactured and retail goods. Trucks hauled 11.49 billion tons of freight in 2018. Motor carriers collected $796.7 billion, or 80.3% of total revenue earned by all transport modes.

ATA calculates the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership and has been doing so since the 1970s. This is a preliminary figure and subject to change in the final report issued around the 5th day of each month. The report includes month-to-month and year-over-year results, relevant economic comparisons, and key financial indicators.

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‘Shop & Dine Local’ Feature Added to Peachtree Corners App Find List of Restaurants, Shops Open during COVID-19

The city’s Corners Connect app now has a new feature called “Shop & Dine Local” where you can find a list of Peachtree Corners restaurants and shops that are open during COVID-19.

The City has been working to consolidate this information, and it is now available through its Corners Connect app. The app is free and available for both iPhones and Android users. Look for the app in the App Store (iPhone) and Play Store (Android phones).

For those who may not be familiar with the city’s Corners Connect app, it’s an ideal source for finding events, dining and entertainment, bus routes, city information, news, weather and more. When visiting the Town Center, use the parking feature to find a parking spot.

You can also use the app to report a non-emergency police issue, traffic problem, find links, phone numbers to pay your water bill, county property taxes or to register to vote. The Fix-It App is also accessible through the Corners Connect app. 

We will continue to update the list as we hear from our business community. Any business that would like to include its information, please complete the form here, https://cofptc.seamlessdocs.com/f/BusinessSpecials.

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Georgia Power Recognized Nationally as a Utility That is “Easiest to Do Business With”

For the second year in a row, residential customers rated Georgia Power as a utility that’s “Easiest to Do Business With” according to a study by industry-leading analysts in the energy sector. The company was ranked among top utilities based on company reputation and outreach, communication, and customer and field service satisfaction in the 2020 Cogent Syndicated Utility Trusted Brand & Customer Engagement: Residential study from Escalent.

Using a “Customer Effort Index,” the study measured how easy it is for customers to obtain service, information and offerings from a utility. Satisfaction was measured against 140 electric, natural gas and combination utilities among 62,122 US utility customers. According to the study, residential utility customers get 90 percent of their satisfaction from the amount of effort required to do business with their utility.

“During these challenging times, we are striving more than ever to give our customers a great experience,” said Kevin Kastner, Georgia Power vice president of Customer Service. “As our state’s communities adapt during these unprecedented days, we are also adapting to keep the focus on our customers.”

Special Pandemic Support
To ease the burden that customers are facing during the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia Power previously announced the suspension of all disconnections and will offer special payment plan options to assist with the recovery. The company also continues to offer around the clock service features including bill pay, energy usage monitoring tools, power outage reporting, payment information and history, authorized payment locations, rate plan options and more at www.GeorgiaPower.com and on the company’s free mobile app.

Additional Resources & Services for Residential Customers
With customers spending more time at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Georgia Power continues to offer the following resources, services and programs:

Simple Online Account Management – The company is committed to making it simple for customers to manage their monthly bill, payment history and energy usage in one place. With Georgia Power’s online portal, customers can start, stop and transfer service, and sign up for paperless billing to reduce incoming paper mail.

Payment Methods – It’s best to stay home and pay Georgia Power bills online on GeorgiaPower.com with a credit or debit card or with a checking or savings account. The company has eliminated fees associated with credit and debit card payments as well as at Authorized Payment Locations (APLs). APLs are venues that accept Georgia Power payments, posting them immediately and securely. There are more 4,000 APLs across the state including many grocery stores and pharmacies remaining open as essential businesses, like Kroger, Walmart, Publix, Walgreens and more. Customers can also pay via the Georgia Power Mobile App, which can be downloaded for free from both the App Store (Apple) and Google Play Store (Android).

Georgia Power Marketplace – Georgia Power makes it simple for customers to make their home more efficient by offering an online, one-stop-shop for LED lightbulbs, smart thermostats and connected home technology, advanced power strips, water faucets and EV chargers, without having to visit a store. Visit www.GeorgiaPowerMarketplace.com to learn more.

Online Energy Checkups – Georgia Power offers quick and easy online energy checkups that provide customized reports for customers to understand their energy use and find ways to save money.

SurgeDefender™ – Now more than ever, customers need their major appliances in their home to work. Georgia Power’s SurgeDefender™ program helps protects motor-driven appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers and air conditioners, and is installed directly on the customer’s electric meter.

Residential customer service representatives are available to answer questions by phone at 1-888-660-5890 and via online chat. To learn more about Georgia Power’s resources, programs and services for residential customers, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com/Residential.

Customers can also connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power) to receive the latest Georgia Power news and information, including helpful information regarding the company’s response to COVID-19, storm tips, outage updates and more.

 

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GeorgiaALIVE to Showcase COVID-19 Innovation and Resources Across State

GeorgiaALIVE Inc., a leadership initiative for a vital economy, is placing an increased emphasis on supporting innovation and resources relating to the COVID-19 response in Georgia. Driven by the overwhelming efforts from businesses, organizations and individuals across the state, GeorgiaALIVE is adding more focus on innovation and resources that enhance the prevention, treatment, testing and tracing of the novel coronavirus in Georgia. The initiative will be led by veteran Atlanta executive, Ben Balsley, Executive Chairman, AGA and Former CEO, Onepath.

GeorgiaALIVE is committed to serving Georgia’s healthcare facilities, government entities and community groups by supporting and connecting emerging innovation emerging from area businesses, non-profits, universities and research organizations. To identify relevant initiatives, GeorgiaALIVE is working with multiple groups throughout the state, including Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Technology Association of Georgia (TAG), Invest Atlanta, among others.

The innovation initiative will be highlighted on the GeorgiaALIVE website, georgiaalive.com/innovation-resources. Additionally, new steering committee members have been named and all are playing a critical role in identifying needed resources, many are providing direct access to innovation sources. The new members include:

Chaouki Abdallah, Executive Vice President for Research (EVPR) at the Georgia Institute of Technology

Claire Sterk, President of Emory University

Bird Blitch, CEO and Co-founder of Patientco

Reverend Gerald Durley, Pastor Emeritus at Providence Missionary Baptist Church

“Since inception, ensuring the state has an adequate supply of PPE has been a key focus for GeorgiaALIVE,” shares Ed Trimble, GeorgiaALIVE founder. “We are extending our focus to highlight the much needed COVID-19 centered innovation being created in our state.”

The innovation initiative will continue to evolve over the coming days and weeks. “Our ultimate vision is to have GeorgiaALIVE serve as a hub and amplifier that connects innovators and resources with those needing them – be it hospitals, businesses and organizations going back to the new normal or the community at large,” adds Balsley.

One example of the innovation and resources being promoted on the website is Atlanta-based Aaron’s Inc. and its Project Sew Happy To Help. Aaron’s has converted its Woodhaven furniture manufacturing plant in Cairo, Ga. to produce personal protective equipment for local medical centers. To date, the company has shipped more than 16,000 masks and 900 gowns to medical and assisted living facilities in the southeast, and are working at a rate to produce more than 12,000 masks and 5,000 gowns per week.

“Giving back to the communities in which we serve is at the heart of Aaron’s, Inc.,” says Robbie Kamerschen, EVP, General Counsel and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at Aaron’s, Inc. “Our Project Sew Happy To Help program is just one of the many ways the Georgia business community has stepped up to support the fight against coronavirus. We’re honored to be a part of GeorgiaALIVE’s innovation initiative.”

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Housing Market Forecast & Predictions

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Forecast for US Housing Market 2020 to 2024 March home sales data just released from NAR shows home prices continued to rise into March. While forecasts are justifiably downgraded for the nation, it appears home prices could persist on an upward path as people return to work in the post Corona Virus Period. First time buyers comprised…

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Bowling alleys, movie theaters join voices of concern over Gov. Kemp’s reopening order

Plaza Theatre

By John Ruch and Collin Kelley

Local movie theaters and bowling alleys are joining the voices of concern about health and financial risks of Gov. Brian Kemp’s surprise order that they and certain other types of businesses shuttered for the pandemic can reopen within days.

Plaza Theatre owner Christopher Escobar said in a statement posted on Facebook that he won’t be reopening the historic Poncey-Highland venue.

Escobar said: “While we’ve been hurting being closed, this certainly comes as a rather last-minute surprise. I honestly didn’t think we would be allowed to re-open until June. While nothing would make me happier than all of this being over and getting the “all clear,” other than there being political pressure, I haven’t seen anything of the sort. I have only seen the first sign that cases and deaths in Georgia are just barely starting to level off—much less go down–but I’m not a public health expert. I just know I’m not getting an indication from actual public health experts that re-opening is a good idea.”

Escobar said he was concerned that promised relief dollars would suddenly disappear now that cinemas were being “allowed” to reopen. In the meantime, Escobar said the Plaza is moving towards opening its own digital platform for patrons to stream movies at home and setting up a drive-in theatre as well.

Brandt Gully, owner of the independent The Springs Cinema & Taphouse theater in Sandy Springs, said he was “just kind of stunned and not sure what to make of it” and that “it doesn’t feel right” to reopen. It also doesn’t make sense in the most basic way, Gully said: “One of the issues, and it’s not the main issue, but we don’t have content. There are no new movies.”

“It honestly — it really puts us in a tough position,” Gully said about Kemp’s announcement. “I’m sure there’s intent there for the government to throw us a lifeline here and allow us to reopen. But truthfully, I don’t really like the position I’m in. I closed before I was required to close for the same reason I likely won’t open when I’m allowed to open.”

“Obviously, I have some significant concern over opening, and I think for certain we wouldn’t be opening on Monday,” said Gully, who closed the doors of his theater on March 17.

Justin Amick

Justin Amick, president and CEO of the company that operates Buckhead’s Painted Pin and the Westside’s Painted Duck high-end bowling parlors, also expressed surprise and concern. “Although I couldn’t be happier to have bowling solidified as one of life’s most essential needs, I’m surprised by the accelerated timeline to be able to reopen our doors to the public,” he said.

Justin Amick elaborated on the concerns in a joint statement with his father Bob Amick, owner of the Concentric Restaurants group, which includes TWO Urban Licks, Bully Boy and Parish.

“We are scared to death about the new norms, strict limitations and guidelines that will make it impossible to be financially viable,” the Amicks said. “A rushed reopening could be the nail in the coffin for many companies. We won’t risk the safety of our staff, families and patrons, as their well-being is of the utmost importance.”

They join some other local restaurant owners who said they have no plans to reopen their dining rooms on April 27 as allowed in Kemp’s reopening order.

Kemp’s shelter-in-place order remains in effect through April 30, during which people are supposed to going out only for necessities. And while business re-openings are voluntary,  it is unclear whether it will generate economic pressure to do so.

The Amicks are among local business owners who say that reopening under pandemic safety limits could mean taking on full, normal expenses but only a limited way to make money.

“We can’t wait to get back to work, but the decision feels premature,” said Bob Amick in a written statement. “Small businesses, including restaurants, bars and entertainment venues, are currently fighting for their lives due to the nationwide forced closures. On one hand, we need to be open to be able to survive, but we only have one opportunity to get it right, there are no second chances.”

The post Bowling alleys, movie theaters join voices of concern over Gov. Kemp’s reopening order appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.