On April 10, 2025 WRBL in Columbus produced a story on the Georgia Chamber's work promoting free and fair trade for Georgia. The full story can be viewed HERE; an excerpt is available below.

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"This is an ever-changing and ever-evolving situation that we’re in,” Georgia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Chris Clark said. “We’re impacted as much from what happens overseas now is what happens in Washington. That’s what’s most important right now is for consumers, as well as business leaders and elected leaders, to be calm, to move through this, to think long term, and to hopefully, let’s face it, if we can see trade barriers reduced in other countries, they’re going to be new markets for Georgia goods and products. When companies want to reshore their supply chains back to the U.S., there will be more opportunities here in the state of Georgia."

On March 14, 2025, CBS44 WSWG produced a report on the Dougherty County' School System and the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce's participation in the National Civics Bee®. The full report can be found here.

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Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School middle schoolers to participate in Civics Bee

ALBANY, Ga. – A few Dougherty County middle school students are going to be taking place in a statewide and potentially a nationwide competition.

CBS 44’s Brian Roche has more.

The Dougherty County School System (DCSS) is getting some of their students ready as they represent Southwest Georgia in a national competition for the first time.

Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School seventh graders…Excited and a little nervous as they’re preparing to take part in the first Georgia Civics Bee.

“I’m really excited to do this, even though I’m really scared, nervous. It’s still a really fun and exciting experience,” said Kaylin Hutchins, Student, Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School.

“Although I feel nervous. Think I’ll be ready to do the Civics Bee Monday, (March 17th)” said Emmanuel Sancho, Student, Robert A. Cross Middle Magnet School.

The state-wide civics bee is being put on by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and they’re working with both the Albany Chamber of Commerce (AACC) and the Dougherty County School System (DCSS).

“This is the first time the Albany Area Chamber has hosted the national civics bee. It’s an honor. It’s the first time it’s in Georgia. And, so, we’re very honored to be part of this organization,” said Barbara Rivera-Holmes, President, Albany Chamber of Commerce (AACC).

“The Georgia Chamber believes heavily in investing in our future generations and in the importance of civic-minded leaders. And, so, we felt we felt like this was a great opportunity to engage with students and get them educated on the way that our government works,” said Tiffany Holmes, Deputy Director, Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

For Superintendent, Kenneth Dyer, having Dougherty County take part in the Civics Bee and represent Southwest Georgia is a tremendous honor.

“I’m proud of our students, like I said before, and this is more than just another activity. This is something that helps prepare our students for life after school to understand the importance of civic engagement, how to advocate for issues that matter most to them,” said Kenneth Dyer, Superintendent, DCSS.

And, back at Robert Cross, Kailyn and Emmanuel may be nervous, but they’re ready.

“I think I’m really excited because I get to go out there and represent my county and I want to make everyone proud and show how smart everyone down here in South Georgia really is,” said Hutchins.

The finals for the Georgia Civics Bee will take place at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta later this year.

ALBANY, Ga. – This week, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce successfully hosted its 36th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt—a premier statewide initiative designed to showcase the economic advantages of doing business in Georgia. While events were held in the Albany area, the initiative’s impact and vision extend well beyond a single location, aiming to benefit the entire state by attracting investment, creating jobs, and building partnerships across the entire state.

Since its inception in 1994, the Georgia Quail Hunt has become a vital recruitment event for the state, with participants contributing billions of dollars in economic activity and generating thousands of jobs. This year’s event brought together influential business leaders, economic developers, and state officials, all united in their commitment to promoting Georgia’s competitive business climate.

Notable attendees included Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, Pat Wilson, Commissioner of Economic Development for Georgia, and Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. Their participation underscored the strong state-level support for initiatives that drive business growth and expand economic opportunities throughout Georgia.

Throughout the two-day event, attendees experienced a series of immersive activities designed to highlight the state’s diverse economic landscape and demonstrating how Georgia’s favorable tax environment, robust transportation infrastructure, and highly skilled talent pool are key drivers of its economic success.

“Over the course of the event, we saw firsthand the power of collaboration between public and private sectors,” said Jana Dyke, President & CEO of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “The Georgia Quail Hunt seeks to present a unified vision for economic growth across the entire state. Our collective efforts are helping to create a business-friendly environment that attracts investment and creates opportunities for all communities in Georgia.”

Reflecting on the event’s significance, Chris Clark emphasized its statewide impact: “The 36th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt provided an exceptional platform to introduce businesses to the quality of life of in Southwest Georgia. Letting them meet men and women that live, work, pray, and play here and understand the community, and is the best way to sell it. By engaging with industry innovators and regional economic developers, we reinforced Georgia’s reputation as the number one state in the country to do business,—a title we have proudly held for an unprecedented 11 consecutive years. This event is a testament to our ongoing commitment to driving statewide economic prosperity.” Clark also stated “I extend my sincere thanks to Locate South Georgia, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce, and all the local volunteers for their outstanding partnership and warm hospitality.”

In addition to state leadership, the event also benefited from the active involvement of numerous local and regional partners who played essential roles in organizing the event and ensuring that its statewide benefits were fully realized. Their collaborative efforts not only highlighted the unique assets of various regions but also strengthened the statewide network dedicated to economic development.

By offering business prospects an exclusive look at the opportunities available throughout Georgia, the 36th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt has set the stage for continued investment and growth. The event’s success reinforces the idea that a unified, statewide approach to economic development is vital for innovation, job creation, and enhancing the overall quality of life for all Georgians.

For additional information about the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and its initiatives, please visit www.gachamber.com.

The 36th annual Georgia Quail Hunt was hosted by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Allies and further supported through sponsorship by Locate South Georgia, The Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission, Bergara, Colt, Kia, Molson Coors, Ridezilla, Remington Firearms, and Taurus.

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About the Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1911 and incorporated in 1915, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce is the largest business advocacy organization in Georgia, working to protect free enterprise and secure our long-term economic prosperity. The Georgia Chamber represents tens of thousands of members in every corner of the state, with offices in Atlanta, Brunswick, and Tifton. In 2025 the Georgia Chamber launched GEORGIA | 2050, a strategic plan to ensure Georgia remains a beacon of economic opportunity for the next 25 years. For more information visit gachamber.com.

On February 12, 2025, WALB produced a report on the Georgia Quail Hunt. The full release can be found here. Below is an excerpt.

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Good Life City welcomes 36th Annual Georgia Quail Hunt guests

ALBANY, Ga (WALB) – “This is about soft sale. This is introducing businesses to the quality of life of Southwest Georgia,” Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, said. “Letting them meet men and women that live, work, pray, and play here. Just to understand the community, and I think that’s the best way to sell it. We wouldn’t be doing this 40 years if it wasn’t absolutely critical and important.”

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On October 2, 2024, The U.S. Small Business Administration provided a release entitled "SBA Provides Critical Disaster Assistance to Help Georgians Recover from Hurricane Helene" Below is the content of that release. To reference a Fact Sheet curated by the SBA, click here.

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WASHINGTON – Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Georgia following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration for Hurricane Helene that began on Sept. 25.

“SBA’s mission-driven team stands ready to help small businesses and residents in Georgia impacted by this disaster in every way possible under President Biden’s disaster declaration for certain affected areas,” said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. “We’re committed to providing federal disaster loans swiftly and efficiently, with a customer-centric approach to help businesses and communities recover and rebuild.”

The disaster declaration covers Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brooks, Bulloch, Burke, Candler, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Colquitt, Columbia, Cook, Echols, Emanuel, Evans, Glascock, Irwin, Jeff Davis, Jefferson, Jenkins, Johnson, Lanier, Laurens, Liberty, Lincoln, Lowndes, McDuffie, Montgomery, Pierce, Richmond, Screven, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Ware, Washington and Wheeler; which are eligible for both Physical and Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the SBA. Small businesses and most private nonprofit organizations in the following adjacent counties are eligible to apply only for SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs): Baldwin, Bleckley, Brantley, Bryan, Charlton, Dodge, Effingham, Elbert, Hancock, Long, McIntosh, Mitchell, Thomas, Tift, Turner, Twiggs, Warren, Wayne, Wilcox, Wilkes, Wilkinson and Worth counties in Georgia; Baker, Columbia, Hamilton, Jefferson and Madison in Florida; Aiken, Allendale, Barnwell, Edgefield, Hampton, Jasper and McCormick in South Carolina.

Disaster survivors should not wait to settle with their insurance company before applying for a disaster loan. If a survivor does not know how much of their loss will be covered by insurance or other sources, SBA can make a low-interest disaster loan for the total loss up to its loan limits, provided the borrower agrees to use insurance proceeds to reduce or repay the loan.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.
Disaster loans up to $500,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $100,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.

Interest rates are as low as 4% for businesses, 3.25% for nonprofit organizations, and 2.813% for homeowners and renters, with terms up to 30 years. Interest does not begin to accrue, and monthly payments are not due, until 12 months from the date of the initial disbursement. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based on each applicant’s financial condition.

Building back smarter and stronger can be an effective recovery tool for future disasters. Applicants may be eligible for a loan amount increase of up to 20% of their physical damages, as verified by the SBA for mitigation purposes. Eligible mitigation improvements may include a safe room or storm shelter, sump pump, French drain or retaining wall to help protect property and occupants from future disasters.

“SBA’s disaster loan program offers an important advantage–the chance to incorporate measures that can reduce the risk of future damage,” said Francisco Sánchez, Jr., associate administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience at the Small Business Administration. “Work with contractors and mitigation professionals to strengthen your property, and take advantage of the opportunity to request additional SBA disaster loan funds for these proactive improvements.”

With the changes to FEMA’s Sequence of Delivery, survivors are now encouraged to simultaneously apply for FEMA grants and SBA low-interest disaster loan assistance to fully recover. FEMA grants are intended to cover necessary expenses and serious needs not paid by insurance or other sources. The SBA disaster loan program is designed for your long-term recovery, to make you whole and get you back to your pre-disaster condition. Do not wait on the decision for a FEMA grant; apply online and receive additional disaster assistance information at sba.gov/disaster.

Applicants may also call the SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or send an email to disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 29, 2024. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 30, 2025.

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

On July 11, the Atlanta-Journal Constitution published an article by Vanessa McCray entitled "Free Emory University class looks to put more Georgians at ease with AI." Below is an excerpt. 

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(AJC) – Sukari Johnson showed up to a Henry County Parks & Recreation classroom looking for ways to use artificial intelligence to boost her small business.

She’d like to automate some of her email tasks so that she can quickly respond to customers who contact her travel and events company. At a nearby desk, a real estate agent wondered about using AI programs to enhance images. Both came to the small class hosted by Emory University’s Center for AI Learning for a better understanding of the emerging technology.

“A lot of people are afraid of this,” said the center’s founding director Joe Sutherland, as he demonstrated various uses for AI. “My contention is that it’s going to be just like the internet. It’s going to be another tool.”

The free course, offered on a hot July evening in McDonough, over 30 miles south of Emory’s Atlanta campus, is aimed at exposing a broader audience to the advantages of AI. It was one of nearly 20 free community classes Emory will hold in locations around Georgia, from Rome to Macon, Columbus, Savannah, Athens and Augusta and points in between. The two-hour “AI + You” sessions are scheduled through mid-September through a partnership with the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Rowen Foundation.

Sutherland said the use of AI has so far been mostly confined to high-tech industries and academia. For Georgia to continue to grow its economy and remain competitive, a broader swath of the workforce needs training.

“I think that this AI revolution is something that everybody should have a chance at being a part of,” he said in an interview.

The courses provide a primer on artificial intelligence and introduce tools such as ChatGPT. That program launched publicly in late 2022 with the ability to generate essays, emails, business plans, computer code and perform other tasks.

The statewide learning push comes as Georgia lawmakers wrestle with the potential and the pitfalls brought by AI. It can make work more efficient, but it also poses data security risks and has been used by bad actors to manipulate images and sound and create deepfake videos, among other concerns.

A Senate Study Committee on Artificial Intelligence met for the first time in late June to discuss if and how Georgia should regulate AI technologies. That panel also will examine the impact on jobs, education and public safety, among other areas. The committee’s chair, state Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, told lawmakers he wants to find a framework “that does not stifle innovation” but provides protections.

“The opportunities in front of us will cure some of the world’s greatest issues and crises,” he said, and added: “However, it also has the propensity to do great harm and evil.”

A recent National Society of High School Scholars survey of more than 10,000 Generation Z students found 62% are worried about job displacement because of AI. And almost as many of those students, born after 1997, think the technology will have a more negative than positive impact on society over the next decade, the report said.

Sutherland said those who adapt to AI earlier will be more competitive for jobs, earn more and have more free time. He told the McDonough class he thinks the technology will help automate manufacturing work, for example, but questioned if it will replace as many jobs as some estimate. He highlighted a need for more workforce development efforts to train people everywhere, including in rural areas, to use AI programs.

“My mission through this tour is making sure that it’s not just a small pocket of people who have access to these technologies first while everybody else is waiting around,” he said in an interview.

Said Daniela Perry, vice president of the Georgia Chamber Foundation: “People talk about what could happen to the workforce because of AI. We really see the opportunity for individuals to really move into really meaningful careers and move upward.”

Those who attend one of Emory’s summer courses will get three months of access at no cost to ChatGPT through the university’s AI platform. This fall, Emory also will launch a new continuing education certification program in AI that’s geared to nontraditional students.

The 50 participants at the first community AI class held in Valdosta ranged from small-business owners and chief executives to local elected officials and retirees. About 70 showed up to a Monday class in Sandy Springs.

Only a few people turned out for the McDonough session on July 2, but organizers expect classes to grow at upcoming events. Johnson had used ChatGPT before but didn’t know that she could go back and forth with the program, entering additional information and telling it what to focus on, to refine and customize the responses.

“I didn’t know that you could speak to it in that way, so that was good to know,” she said.

At that class, Sutherland wowed the small group by asking ChatGPT to create a detailed social media marketing plan to sell a house. The program spit out a weekly schedule for posting content to Instagram and Facebook and suggested focusing on the house’s unique features.

“You don’t even have to think,” marveled one audience member, partly in jest.

Sutherland countered with a word of caution, urging users to still review and edit any AI-generated output.

“You do have to think still,” he said.

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