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Americold Realty Trust (NYSE: COLD) (the “Company” or “Americold”), the world’s largest publicly traded REIT focused on the ownership, operation, acquisition, and development of temperature-controlled warehouses is pleased to announce that, as stated in its fourth quarter 2019 earnings call, the Company intends to invest approximately $65 million NZD in a planned expansion of its Dalgety site in Auckland, New Zealand.

“We are excited to move forward on this opportunity to grow with our customers in this dynamic market,” said Richard Winnall, Managing Director for the International Division of Americold. “With this expansion, Americold is adding capacity to support the expected growth of the national retailers, food producers, processors, distributors, and quick-service restaurants in New Zealand.”

As previously stated, the expansion will be anchored by Woolworths New Zealand (Countdown supermarkets) as part of a long-term commitment with Americold. This expansion will increase the site’s capacity by approximately 4.6 million cubic feet and approximately 27,000 pallet positions. At completion, the facility will be equipped with 20 additional dock doors and semi-automated container unloading technology to drive efficiencies.

“We’re really happy with the customer-focused and sophisticated service that Americold provides, and this has made the decision to move forward with Americold easy,” said Brett Ashley, Countdown’s General Manager Store Operations and Logistics.

“We’re looking forward to continuing this long-standing partnership with Americold which will help us improve product availability for our customers and maintain timely deliveries to our stores.”

The New Zealand expansion will take approximately 12 months and bring much needed capacity to the Auckland and North Island markets. Construction has resumed and the project is expected to be completed by mid-2021.

Facebook announced today that they are investing an additional $200 million to support Black-owned businesses and organizations in part of Facebook’s broader $1.1 billion investment in Black and diverse suppliers and communities in the US.             

From the early days of the pandemic, Facebook has been listening to small businesses and trying to do what they can to help weather the storm. Facebook also recognizes investing in the long-term success of the Black community includes supporting Black students, entrepreneurs, and Georgia causes. 

That’s why Facebook is announcing: 

• $75 million in grants of cash and ad credits to support Black-owned businesses and nonprofits that serve the Black community and $25 million in support of Black content creators. 

• A commitment to reach 2 million members of the Black and Latinx community with digital skills training to educate and train the workforce on tangible skills needed to succeed in today’s digital economy over the next 3 years.

• Awarding 100,000 scholarships to Black students working toward digital skills certifications. This is in addition to existing CodeFWD and TechPrep programs that offer resources and support to help underrepresented communities. 

• Creating a new Lift Black Voices space in Facebook to highlight stories from Black people, share educational resources, and inspire people to take action through fundraising for racial justice causes. 

• Donating $5 million ($19 each) – in honor of Juneteenth – to over 250,000 Facebook Fundraisers created for three racial justice organizations: Equal Justice Initiative, Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Innocence Project.  

This is just the start, but Facebook views this as an important injection that is coming at a critical time in our nation’s history.  

More details to come about how businesses will be eligible to apply for these grants later this summer. 

This link takes you to more details: https://about.fb.com/news/2020/06/supporting-black-and-diverse-communities/

Boyd Collar Nolen Tuggle & Roddenbery is pleased to announce that its shareholder Tina Roddenbery has again received the Ross Adams Award from the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division (YLD). This award, which is named after the late Ross Adams who served as the YLD president from 1998 to 1999, recognizes a YLD past president who demonstrates continued support of the organization and its goals.

Roddenbery served as YLD president from 1994 to 1995 and was first recognized with the Ross Adams Award in 2011. This is only the second time a YLD past president has received the award more than once.

“The Young Lawyers Division has always been special to me. From serving as the chapter’s president to continuing my work in support of its committees and officers, I truly believe in what the organization stands for,” says Roddenbery. “I am humbled to receive this award again and look forward to continuing to support the organization.”

The YLD is comprised of approximately 10,000 lawyers admitted to the State Bar of Georgia who are 36 years old or younger or who have been admitted to their first bar for no more than five years. In keeping with its motto of “working for the profession and the public,” the YLD has more than 25 hard-working committees that produce an array of projects and programs. Through the years, the YLD has also gained national recognition by winning several American Bar Association awards for its projects and publications.

Active in the legal community, Roddenbery is president of the Georgia chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and is one of only 33 fellows. She has served as president of the board of directors for the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation and on the advisory board of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society. Previously, Roddenbery also served on the board of trustees of the Institute of Continuing Judicial Education for a six-year tenure. 

Roddenbery has more than 30 years of family law experience, including divorce, custody, support modification, legitimation, paternity and contempt, and is one of only a handful of National Board of Trial Advocacy board certified family law attorneys in the state of Georgia. In 2018, the firm’s name was changed to Boyd Collar Nolen Tuggle & Roddenbery to reflect her leadership.

Roddenbery earned both her undergraduate and her law degrees from the University of Georgia.

A goBeyondProfit survey conducted earlier this month among working Georgians shows businesses’ pandemic response has increased their employees’ trust and loyalty.  Respondents reported work productivity higher than before the pandemic and indicated better-than-neutral mental wellbeing, though they worry about job security and coronavirus exposure at work and among their family and friends. 

The study also showed employees’ desire for meaning and purpose in their work is at even higher levels than their desire for workplace flexibility. And in one likely unexpressed need, they want their employer to understand they are emotionally impacted by the pandemic.  

“This pulse check into the mindset of Georgia’s employed adults offers employers practical insights and clear actionable guidance,” said goBeyondProfit Founding Director Megan McCamey.  “Be visible by communicating frequently about business progress and safety measures, helping your employees feel valued and connected to a greater company purpose, and responding to broader needs in the community. These steps reap long term rewards in employee loyalty, productivity and overall mental health.”

The full report and data visuals are available at www.gobeyondprofit.org/research.

Georgia employees give their employers high marks for their COVID-19 pandemic response and attribute a higher level of trust and loyalty because of it. 

Respondents gave their employers highest scores for demonstrating care for employees (76% excellent/good rating) and communicating well with transparency (70% excellent/good).  

Based on their employer’s pandemic response, 57% rated their level of trust and loyalty for their employer higher than it was before the pandemic. Those who rate their employers higher on all activities indicate highest increases of trust and loyalty.

Employees report being productive … and worried.  

Compared with before the pandemic, 46% of Georgia employees rated themselves as more or much more productive, while 40% felt they were at the same level of productivity.  The mean came in at 3.48 on a five-point scale.

Respondents rated their mental well-being as better than neutral.  On a five-point scale where one was “Exhausted, drained and stressed” and five was “Positive, energetic, happy,” Georgia’s employed adults rate their current mental wellbeing at a 3.59.  A full 28% indicated being in the neutral territory. 

But they are worried.  When asked to choose the single thing they’re most worried about, a near three-way tie appeared between job security (25% chose this), coronavirus exposure (23%) and the health of family/myself/friends (23%)  

A majority – a full 66% — want their employer to understand they are emotionally impacted by the pandemic. 

Employees want CEOs to address both logistical and emotional well-being aspects of the business.

It is almost equally important to Georgia’s employed adults that they feel their work environment is safe from COVID-19 (78% agree) and feel appreciated and valued by the business (75%). Respondents ranked wanting a sense of purpose in their work (75%) even higher than flexibility of work location for COVID contingencies (68%)

As reflected in their job security and health worries, 75% of employees agree they want employer communication about steps they’re taking to reopen safely, and the same percentage want frequent updates on business recovery progress.

The online survey was conducted among 569 employed Georgians between June 4-7, 2020.  At a 95% confidence level, the survey has an error range of +/- 4%.

goBeyondProfit is a statewide alliance launched by business leaders for business leaders to spur corporate generosity and improve people’s lives. Through peer insights and stories, members learn from one another and strengthen their ability to ensure stronger businesses and healthier communities. goBeyondProfit is a fully funded philanthropic venture inviting every Georgia business to join at no cost. 

For further information, and complete data charts, visit www.goBeyondProfit.org.  

Southern Company Gas has named Bryan Batson executive vice president of external affairs and chief external and public affairs officer, following eight years of service as president of its subsidiaries Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas. Pedro Cherry, currently executive vice president of customer service and operations at Southern Company Gas’ sister company Georgia Power, will succeed Batson as president and CEO of Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas. Both changes will be effectiveAug. 1.

In his new role, Batson will oversee external affairs, corporate communications, marketing, customer service, community relations, economic development and environmental affairs at Southern Company Gas. Additionally, he will serve as president of the Southern Company Gas Charitable Foundation, which donates millions of dollars in grants annually to nonprofits focused on the environment, economic development, energy assistance, the arts and education. He will also continue to serve on the Southern Company Gas Management Council.

“Bryan’s leadership has seen our company through years of growth and change, and as our industry evolves, his trusted counsel will continue to ensure we can rise to whatever challenges the future may bring,” said Kim Greene, Southern Company Gas chairman, president and chief executive officer. “His deep roots in the energy industry will prove invaluable as we seek to further engage with our customers and communities.”

Batson has more than 36 years of experience with Southern Company Gas and has held several leadership positions in commercial operations, regulatory affairs, external affairs, engineering and field operations. Under Batson’s leadership, both Atlanta Gas Light and Chattanooga Gas helped herald in unprecedented periods of development in their service territories, successfully growing their infrastructure to accommodate rising demand, enhancing customer service offerings and increasing access to clean fuel for the transportation industry.

A leader closely engaged in communities across Georgia, Batson will continue to serve on the boards of directors for Central Atlanta Progress, the Georgia Nature Conservancy, the Regional Business Coalition of Metropolitan Atlanta, the Council for Quality Growth and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. He also serves as chairman of the Georgia Chamber Energy and Natural Resources Policy Committee, is a member of the Technical College System of Georgia board of trustees and sits on the Atlanta Committee for Progress Community and Governmental Affairs Advisory Council. A registered professional engineer and a graduate of Leadership Atlanta andLeadership Georgia, Batson earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Clemson University and a master’s degree in technology management from Mercer University.

Cherry, in his new role, will oversee all aspects of the company’s southern operations, bringing clean, safe, reliable and affordable gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in Georgia and Tennessee. In addition, he will join the Southern Company Gas Management Council and the board of directors for the Southern Company Gas Charitable Foundation.

“I am pleased to welcome Pedro into the fold,” said Greene. “Our customers’ demands continue to grow and evolve, and his diverse set of experiences will be invaluable as we seek to enhance our customer service offerings, drive innovation and maintain safety across our Southern territories.”

Cherry joined Southern Company in 1997 after working as an engineer and business analyst for Carolina Power and Light Corporation, and he has held roles of increasing responsibility in finance, community and economic development, sales, customer service, operations and external affairs. In his most recent role, Cherry led more than 5,000 employees in Georgia Power’s Customer Service and Operations organization, directing customer service, power delivery, sales and marketing, corporate services and regional external affairs for the company’s 2.6 million customers.

Cherry, a CFA Charterholder, is a member of the CFA Institute, 100 Black Men of Atlanta and Auburn’s Alumni Engineering Council, and he serves on the boards of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Leadership Atlanta, Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Tourism Foundation. Additionally, he sits on the Clark Atlanta University board of trustees, the advisory board of the North Georgia Division of Synovus and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce board of governors. 

Cherry is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta, Leadership Georgia and the Atlanta Regional Commission’s Regional Leadership Institute. He holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a master’s in business administration, focused on finance and operations management, from Auburn University.

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A public viewing for Rayshard Brooks, the man shot and killed by an Atlanta police officer during a DUI arrest on June 12, was held at Ebenezer Baptist Church on Auburn Avenue today, June 22. A private funeral will be held at the church at 1 p.m. on June 23. The service will be live streamed at ebenezeratl.org.

At their June 17  meeting, Fulton County Commissioners unanimously approved legislation to establish penalties for hate crimes. The ordinance, sponsored by District 2 Commissioner Bob Ellis, calls for criminals who target victims based on race, color, creed, age, religion, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or national origin to face up to 60 days in jail and up to a one thousand dollar fine. The measure was co-sponsored by District 4 Commissioner Natalie Hall, District 6 Commissioner Joe Carn and Fulton County Commission Vice-Chairman and District 5 Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington, Jr.

Atlanta police union and lawmakers held a news conference Sunday calling for a special prosecutor to be named in the Rayshard Brooks case. According to a report at WSB, the International Brotherhood of Police Officers were joined by several state leaders, including Rep. Doug Collins and Georgia Senate Majority Leader Mike Dugan, at police headquarters. The leaders voiced their support for Atlanta police department, but also called for Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr to step in and appoint an independent prosecutor to oversee the case. Fulton County District Attorney Paul Howard announced last week that two officers would be charged in the June 12 shooting death of Brooks at the Wendy’s restaurant on University Avenue.

The post News Briefs: Rayshard Brooks funeral; Fulton hate crimes law; calls for special prosecutor appeared first on Atlanta INtown Paper.

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