/PRNewswire/ -- The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index(TM), which had declined to an all-time low in October, improved moderately in November. The Index now stands at 44.9 (1985=100), up from 38.8 in October. The Present Situation Index decreased to 42.2 from 43.5 last month. The Expectations Index increased to 46.7 from 35.7 in October.
The Consumer Confidence Survey(TM) is based on a representative sample of 5,000 U.S. households. The monthly survey is conducted for The Conference Board by TNS. TNS is the world's largest custom research company. The cutoff date for November's preliminary results was November 18th.
Says Lynn Franco, Director of The Conference Board Consumer Research Center: "The persistent declines in the Present Situation Index suggest that the economy has weakened further in the final months of this year. Inflation expectations, which have been at historically high levels in recent months, subsided considerably as a result of falling gas prices. But, despite the improvement in the Expectations Index this month, consumers remain extremely pessimistic and the possibility that economic growth will improve in the first half of 2009 remains highly unlikely."
Consumers' assessment of current conditions deteriorated further in November. Those claiming business conditions are "bad" increased to 40.3 percent from 37.1 percent, while those claiming business conditions are "good" edged up to 9.9 percent from 9.4 percent last month. Consumers' assessment of the labor market was more negative than a month ago. Those saying jobs are "hard to get" rose to 37.2 percent from 36.6 percent in October, while those claiming jobs are "plentiful" decreased to 8.8 percent from 9.0 percent.
Consumers' short-term outlook was less pessimistic. Those anticipating business conditions to worsen over the next six months declined to 28.1 percent from 36.5 percent, while those expecting conditions to improve rose to 11.4 percent from 9.6 percent.
The outlook for the labor market was also less negative. The percent of consumers anticipating fewer jobs in the months ahead declined to 33.3 percent from 41.5 percent, while those expecting more jobs increased to 9.2 percent from 7.3 percent. The proportion of consumers anticipating an increase in their incomes increased to 13.3 percent from 11.1 percent.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
U.S. Conference of Mayors 153 City Survey Shows 'Ready-To-Go' Local Infrastructure Projects Would Create Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs
PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The nation's mayors today reiterated their call for a Main Street Stimulus package in the lame-duck Congress by releasing the first in a series of reports that inventories each city's "ready-to-go" infrastructure projects -- projects that could be started and completed in calendar year 2009 -- if emergency federal funding were made available. Information on these projects has been submitted to the U.S. Conference of Mayors from 153 cities of all sizes in all regions of the country. In this first release, cities have identified a total of 4,591 infrastructure projects costing a total of $24.4 billion that would create more than a quarter of a million jobs.
"In today's world, metropolitan economies, which comprise 90% of our gross domestic product, drive the national economy. Investing in Main Street metro economies is the most direct path to creating the jobs and stimulating the business that can begin to reverse the current economic downturn. Washington has bailed out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion and hopes its investment will eventually be returned to the taxpayer. It is now time for an investment in local economies that will produce a guaranteed return of jobs," said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.
Diaz continued, "If ever there was a time for bi-partisan leadership, it is now. Our survey shows that cities are 'ready-to-go' with infrastructure projects that will immediately employ people, support small businesses, and stimulate Main Street economies."
This initial report of city infrastructure projects validates the Conference's recommendations to Congress for direct emergency stimulus funds that cities can invest immediately in job creation, small business activity and lasting infrastructure improvements for Main Street America.
"Mayors tell us that the job situation is dire and only getting worse. The unemployment numbers indicate a rapid deterioration in the job outlook for Americans, and thousands more jobs will be lost as each month passes with no action from the lame-duck Congress. Main Street is hurting. Metro economies of America need jobs now and our economy desperately needs help at the Main Street level. Our Main Street Stimulus is the answer," said Tom Cochran, Conference CEO and Executive Director.
The Conference's Main Street Stimulus plan was officially unveiled on Capitol Hill on October 29th. Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, Past President to the Conference of Mayors, testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer, Immediate Past President of the Conference, testified before the House Ways and Means Committee to urge lawmakers to support the mayors' plan of an initial investment of $89.8 billion that includes funding in ten sectors including Community Development Block Grants, transit, highway infrastructure, green jobs, school modernization, public safety and public housing.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
"In today's world, metropolitan economies, which comprise 90% of our gross domestic product, drive the national economy. Investing in Main Street metro economies is the most direct path to creating the jobs and stimulating the business that can begin to reverse the current economic downturn. Washington has bailed out Wall Street to the tune of $700 billion and hopes its investment will eventually be returned to the taxpayer. It is now time for an investment in local economies that will produce a guaranteed return of jobs," said U.S. Conference of Mayors President Miami Mayor Manny Diaz.
Diaz continued, "If ever there was a time for bi-partisan leadership, it is now. Our survey shows that cities are 'ready-to-go' with infrastructure projects that will immediately employ people, support small businesses, and stimulate Main Street economies."
This initial report of city infrastructure projects validates the Conference's recommendations to Congress for direct emergency stimulus funds that cities can invest immediately in job creation, small business activity and lasting infrastructure improvements for Main Street America.
"Mayors tell us that the job situation is dire and only getting worse. The unemployment numbers indicate a rapid deterioration in the job outlook for Americans, and thousands more jobs will be lost as each month passes with no action from the lame-duck Congress. Main Street is hurting. Metro economies of America need jobs now and our economy desperately needs help at the Main Street level. Our Main Street Stimulus is the answer," said Tom Cochran, Conference CEO and Executive Director.
The Conference's Main Street Stimulus plan was officially unveiled on Capitol Hill on October 29th. Louisville Mayor Jerry Abramson, Past President to the Conference of Mayors, testified before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and Trenton Mayor Douglas Palmer, Immediate Past President of the Conference, testified before the House Ways and Means Committee to urge lawmakers to support the mayors' plan of an initial investment of $89.8 billion that includes funding in ten sectors including Community Development Block Grants, transit, highway infrastructure, green jobs, school modernization, public safety and public housing.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Despite Slight Dip in October, IT Employment Continues to Outperform General Employment Market
PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- While the news in the general employment market in October was horrific, IT employment dipped only slightly, according to the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses (NACCB), which tracks monthly IT employment.
With a slight dip of 3,000 jobs (.08%) in October, the association reported IT employment stood at 3,916,200. Even with the modest decline in October, IT employment has displayed surprising resilience during the year. From October 2007 through the current month, IT employment was still up 4.5 percent -- far outpacing the general employment market. The broader job market continues to shed jobs at an alarming rate, losing 284,000 jobs in September (a significant upward revision) and an additional 240,000 jobs in October.
"The contraction of IT employment in October was not surprising. Given all the turmoil in the economy and the devastating job losses in the general employment market in recent months, we are relieved that the decline in October was a modest one," commented Mark Roberts, CEO of NACCB. "While the long-term growth prospects of IT employment remains very strong, I anticipate there will be significant challenges in the short-term and mid-term in light of the deteriorating macroeconomic picture," said Roberts.
The IT employment index is published by the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses (NACCB), the national trade association representing IT staffing and solutions firms. For complete IT Index please visit: www.naccb.org/employment-index/index.cfm.
Technical note: NACCB's IT Employment Index is the first specific measurement of IT employment. This unique measurement of total IT employment is created monthly by studying the ongoing staffing patterns of a dozen IT and computer related occupations in 16 industries and industry sectors employing significant numbers of IT workers including the manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, financial, information services, business and professional services, and education and health industries. The monthly IT Employment Index is based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, which is subject to monthly revisions, with concomitant revisions to the Index. The IT Employment Index is also subject to annual revisions of BLS data. The IT Index was rebenchmarked in February 2008 with the publication of the BLS January 2008 employment report, reflecting significant revisions of employment data from the past several years.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
With a slight dip of 3,000 jobs (.08%) in October, the association reported IT employment stood at 3,916,200. Even with the modest decline in October, IT employment has displayed surprising resilience during the year. From October 2007 through the current month, IT employment was still up 4.5 percent -- far outpacing the general employment market. The broader job market continues to shed jobs at an alarming rate, losing 284,000 jobs in September (a significant upward revision) and an additional 240,000 jobs in October.
"The contraction of IT employment in October was not surprising. Given all the turmoil in the economy and the devastating job losses in the general employment market in recent months, we are relieved that the decline in October was a modest one," commented Mark Roberts, CEO of NACCB. "While the long-term growth prospects of IT employment remains very strong, I anticipate there will be significant challenges in the short-term and mid-term in light of the deteriorating macroeconomic picture," said Roberts.
The IT employment index is published by the National Association of Computer Consultant Businesses (NACCB), the national trade association representing IT staffing and solutions firms. For complete IT Index please visit: www.naccb.org/employment-index/index.cfm.
Technical note: NACCB's IT Employment Index is the first specific measurement of IT employment. This unique measurement of total IT employment is created monthly by studying the ongoing staffing patterns of a dozen IT and computer related occupations in 16 industries and industry sectors employing significant numbers of IT workers including the manufacturing, wholesale and retail trade, financial, information services, business and professional services, and education and health industries. The monthly IT Employment Index is based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, which is subject to monthly revisions, with concomitant revisions to the Index. The IT Employment Index is also subject to annual revisions of BLS data. The IT Index was rebenchmarked in February 2008 with the publication of the BLS January 2008 employment report, reflecting significant revisions of employment data from the past several years.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Can Telecommuting and a Four-Day Workweek Build a Better Workforce?
(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the uncertainty of the economic climate, many companies are considering several options to help employees lower their costs and help their paycheck stretch further. Gevity (NASDAQ: GVHR), a leading professional employer organization (PEO) that provides HR services to businesses nationwide, today released guidelines and tips for companies considering alternative workforce arrangements including telecommuting and flexible schedules such as a four-day workweek.
“Some U.S. businesses are turning to telecommuting and a four-day workweek for two key reasons: to save costs and keep their best employees,” said Meredith Johnson, Gevity’s Chief People Officer. “With a shorter workweek, employees immediately save 20% of their commute costs so it’s a great way to help them retain more of their take-home pay when budgets are tight. Effectively, it’s a pay raise at no cost to the employer. Businesses also may actually realize productivity gains and increased employee satisfaction due to fewer distractions, lower stress, and more control over time.”
The Planning Process
“Employers that are ready to consider alternative work arrangements should make sure to complete their due diligence,” said Johnson. “First, evaluate which job functions are appropriate for telecommuting or a four-day workweek. Jobs that are high on daily customer contact or require access to in-office reference materials won’t travel well, but those that are heavy on computer work, require great concentration, and have clear objectives can be ideal.”
“Also consider which employees are viable candidates for flexible schedules,” Johnson said. “Those who demonstrate good performance and self-accountability will generally do best. The new demands on supervisors also should be considered. They may need training in ‘management by results’ in addition to the traditional ‘management by observation.’”
Other guidelines to consider include:
1. Make a list, check it twice. Create a checklist to analyze each job function for telecommuting compatibility. Look specifically at the type of work performed, the employees’ personalities, and the performance measurements you’ll put in place to optimize the initiative’s success.
2. Location, location, location. Think about where the program will be implemented: who will be off-site and when, who will not, and what the company will look like. Most employees will want to telecommute or participate in a four-day workweek, but many won’t be able to. Be prepared to deal with this fairly and sensibly.
3. Think technical. Consider the related IT costs of telecommuting. Ensure that your organization is equipped for virtual work arrangements, including appropriate software, computers, connectivity, security and technical support. Virtual work arrangements can increase demands on IT staff if they are not well implemented.
4. Spell it out. Use a formal telecommuting agreement that clearly articulates the terms of the arrangement. It should cover company expectations, who is responsible for equipment and appropriate workspaces, schedules, etc. Most importantly, it should establish telecommuting as an accommodation, not an entitlement, that can be modified at-will by the employer, should company requirements change.
5. Start small. Consider launching with a pilot program. This will help work out the kinks in a relatively controlled environment.
6. Some face time is good. Some time in the office will almost certainly be required for telecommuters. This can help address the decreased teamwork and sense of belonging that may occur in those who are not in the office on a regular basis.
Like any major change, telecommuting and other flexible work arrangements will take some getting used to. Once the system is fully operational, however, the move should pay ongoing dividends for the company, the workers and the environment.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
“Some U.S. businesses are turning to telecommuting and a four-day workweek for two key reasons: to save costs and keep their best employees,” said Meredith Johnson, Gevity’s Chief People Officer. “With a shorter workweek, employees immediately save 20% of their commute costs so it’s a great way to help them retain more of their take-home pay when budgets are tight. Effectively, it’s a pay raise at no cost to the employer. Businesses also may actually realize productivity gains and increased employee satisfaction due to fewer distractions, lower stress, and more control over time.”
The Planning Process
“Employers that are ready to consider alternative work arrangements should make sure to complete their due diligence,” said Johnson. “First, evaluate which job functions are appropriate for telecommuting or a four-day workweek. Jobs that are high on daily customer contact or require access to in-office reference materials won’t travel well, but those that are heavy on computer work, require great concentration, and have clear objectives can be ideal.”
“Also consider which employees are viable candidates for flexible schedules,” Johnson said. “Those who demonstrate good performance and self-accountability will generally do best. The new demands on supervisors also should be considered. They may need training in ‘management by results’ in addition to the traditional ‘management by observation.’”
Other guidelines to consider include:
1. Make a list, check it twice. Create a checklist to analyze each job function for telecommuting compatibility. Look specifically at the type of work performed, the employees’ personalities, and the performance measurements you’ll put in place to optimize the initiative’s success.
2. Location, location, location. Think about where the program will be implemented: who will be off-site and when, who will not, and what the company will look like. Most employees will want to telecommute or participate in a four-day workweek, but many won’t be able to. Be prepared to deal with this fairly and sensibly.
3. Think technical. Consider the related IT costs of telecommuting. Ensure that your organization is equipped for virtual work arrangements, including appropriate software, computers, connectivity, security and technical support. Virtual work arrangements can increase demands on IT staff if they are not well implemented.
4. Spell it out. Use a formal telecommuting agreement that clearly articulates the terms of the arrangement. It should cover company expectations, who is responsible for equipment and appropriate workspaces, schedules, etc. Most importantly, it should establish telecommuting as an accommodation, not an entitlement, that can be modified at-will by the employer, should company requirements change.
5. Start small. Consider launching with a pilot program. This will help work out the kinks in a relatively controlled environment.
6. Some face time is good. Some time in the office will almost certainly be required for telecommuters. This can help address the decreased teamwork and sense of belonging that may occur in those who are not in the office on a regular basis.
Like any major change, telecommuting and other flexible work arrangements will take some getting used to. Once the system is fully operational, however, the move should pay ongoing dividends for the company, the workers and the environment.
-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.artsacrossgeorgia.com
Arts Across Georgia
Friday, October 31, 2008
Georgia Headed into Troubled Economy Before Fully Recovering From 2001 Recession
A report released today by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute concludes that even as the current economic slowdown hit, Georgia families were still trying to recover from the 2001 recession and its aftermath. The report, State of Working Georgia 2008, examines job growth, unemployment, income, and benefits, using data from the Current Population Survey and American Community Survey, among other sources.
The key findings surrounding the current economic slowdown include:
* From September 2007 to September 2008, Georgia lost 61,100 nonfarm jobs and was one of only five states to experience a statistically significant employment decrease, according to preliminary Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
* The number of unemployed workers rose by roughly 100,000 between September 2007 and September 2008, for a total of 317,500 out-of-work Georgians in September 2008. Georgia had the 15th highest unemployment rate in the nation in September.
Data for 2007 on underemployment, incomes, and benefits show that Georgia workers had not fully regained the ground lost during the 2001 recession. In short, before the 2008 economic crisis started, Georgians were still trying to recover from the 2001 recession, as was the case in many states. Data from BLS and Census Bureau surveys show:
* About 8 percent of workers were underemployed in 2007, compared to 6.3 percent in 2001. Underemployed includes unemployed workers, marginally attached workers, and part-time workers who would like full-time jobs.
* Median household income in 2007 remained statistically unchanged compared to 2001, after adjusting for inflation.
* The poverty rate remained high at 14.3 percent in 2007, compared to 11.7 percent in 2001.
* In 2006-2007, 59.9 percent of non-elderly Georgians were covered by employer-sponsored health insurance, compared to 64.4 percent in 2000-2001. The percent of Georgians lacking health coverage rose from 15.0 percent in 2000-2001 to 17.6 percent in 2006-2007.
"The employment conditions in Georgia pose both short-term and long-term challenges, as policymakers must confront the current slowdown and the continued effects of the 2001 recession," noted Sarah Beth Gehl, Deputy Director of GBPI. "For the short-term, our leaders must protect vital public services as workers face unemployment and increased income insecurity. For the long-term, policymakers should focus on raising adult education levels and strengthening work and income supports for workers in low-paying jobs."
The report also examines employment conditions and income based on race, gender, and education, as well as income earned by each income quintile. The report provides budget and policy recommendations for both the current economic crisis and the long-term economic challenges faced by low-income working families.
Short-term recommendations -
* Call on Congress to pass an economic recovery package that includes additional weeks of unemployment benefits, a temporary increase in Food Stamp benefits, and state fiscal relief. (For estimates on the additional funds Georgia would receive under U.S. House and Senate packages, find tables at the end of this report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.)
* Target budget cuts to lower priority programs. With a potential $2 billion state budget shortfall, the state has made across-the-board budget cuts to most state agencies. As Georgia families experience dramatic financial strain in 2008, leaders must ensure that vital government services are adequately funded. Medicaid, PeachCare, child care, and education, to name a few, should be spared as much as possible.
* Raise revenues through strategic tax increases. Rather than relying overwhelming on budget cuts, there should a balanced approached to the budget shortfall, including strategic tax increases. Raising the cigarette tax or implementing a temporary income tax surcharge, for example, would provide needed revenues to avoid further cuts to public services.
* Use the revenue shortfall reserve. Through good fiscal management, Georgia has a $1 billion rainy day fund. Now is the time to use it.
Long-term recommendations -
* Increase the capacity for adult basic education. Georgia invests around $14 per adult without a GED in adult basic education, compared to the national average of $64. Georgia should increase its investment in this area, along with outreach efforts towards nontraditional students and support services for families seeking education opportunities.
* Undertake additional outreach efforts for Medicaid and PeachCare. Of the 300,000 uninsured children in Georgia, an estimated 200,000 are eligible for Medicaid or PeachCare, but not enrolled. Getting eligible children and families enrolled in existing programs can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of available healthcare programs. The federal government covers a majority of the cost of these programs, with an almost 2 to 1 match for Medicaid and 3 to 1 match for PeachCare.
* Increase child care assistance for low- and moderate-income working families. Georgia uses federal dollars to assist low-income families with child care costs, but continues to have a waiting list for assistance. At the same time, Georgia subsidizes child care through the tax system, with millions of forgone tax dollars subsiziding child care for upper-income families. Policymakers should end the child care subsidy for higher-income Georgians and more fully assist low-income working families.
* Create a state earned income tax credit (EITC), enhance outreach efforts around the federal EITC, and raise the state minimum wage to the federal level.
-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
The key findings surrounding the current economic slowdown include:
* From September 2007 to September 2008, Georgia lost 61,100 nonfarm jobs and was one of only five states to experience a statistically significant employment decrease, according to preliminary Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
* The number of unemployed workers rose by roughly 100,000 between September 2007 and September 2008, for a total of 317,500 out-of-work Georgians in September 2008. Georgia had the 15th highest unemployment rate in the nation in September.
Data for 2007 on underemployment, incomes, and benefits show that Georgia workers had not fully regained the ground lost during the 2001 recession. In short, before the 2008 economic crisis started, Georgians were still trying to recover from the 2001 recession, as was the case in many states. Data from BLS and Census Bureau surveys show:
* About 8 percent of workers were underemployed in 2007, compared to 6.3 percent in 2001. Underemployed includes unemployed workers, marginally attached workers, and part-time workers who would like full-time jobs.
* Median household income in 2007 remained statistically unchanged compared to 2001, after adjusting for inflation.
* The poverty rate remained high at 14.3 percent in 2007, compared to 11.7 percent in 2001.
* In 2006-2007, 59.9 percent of non-elderly Georgians were covered by employer-sponsored health insurance, compared to 64.4 percent in 2000-2001. The percent of Georgians lacking health coverage rose from 15.0 percent in 2000-2001 to 17.6 percent in 2006-2007.
"The employment conditions in Georgia pose both short-term and long-term challenges, as policymakers must confront the current slowdown and the continued effects of the 2001 recession," noted Sarah Beth Gehl, Deputy Director of GBPI. "For the short-term, our leaders must protect vital public services as workers face unemployment and increased income insecurity. For the long-term, policymakers should focus on raising adult education levels and strengthening work and income supports for workers in low-paying jobs."
The report also examines employment conditions and income based on race, gender, and education, as well as income earned by each income quintile. The report provides budget and policy recommendations for both the current economic crisis and the long-term economic challenges faced by low-income working families.
Short-term recommendations -
* Call on Congress to pass an economic recovery package that includes additional weeks of unemployment benefits, a temporary increase in Food Stamp benefits, and state fiscal relief. (For estimates on the additional funds Georgia would receive under U.S. House and Senate packages, find tables at the end of this report by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.)
* Target budget cuts to lower priority programs. With a potential $2 billion state budget shortfall, the state has made across-the-board budget cuts to most state agencies. As Georgia families experience dramatic financial strain in 2008, leaders must ensure that vital government services are adequately funded. Medicaid, PeachCare, child care, and education, to name a few, should be spared as much as possible.
* Raise revenues through strategic tax increases. Rather than relying overwhelming on budget cuts, there should a balanced approached to the budget shortfall, including strategic tax increases. Raising the cigarette tax or implementing a temporary income tax surcharge, for example, would provide needed revenues to avoid further cuts to public services.
* Use the revenue shortfall reserve. Through good fiscal management, Georgia has a $1 billion rainy day fund. Now is the time to use it.
Long-term recommendations -
* Increase the capacity for adult basic education. Georgia invests around $14 per adult without a GED in adult basic education, compared to the national average of $64. Georgia should increase its investment in this area, along with outreach efforts towards nontraditional students and support services for families seeking education opportunities.
* Undertake additional outreach efforts for Medicaid and PeachCare. Of the 300,000 uninsured children in Georgia, an estimated 200,000 are eligible for Medicaid or PeachCare, but not enrolled. Getting eligible children and families enrolled in existing programs can increase the efficiency and effectiveness of available healthcare programs. The federal government covers a majority of the cost of these programs, with an almost 2 to 1 match for Medicaid and 3 to 1 match for PeachCare.
* Increase child care assistance for low- and moderate-income working families. Georgia uses federal dollars to assist low-income families with child care costs, but continues to have a waiting list for assistance. At the same time, Georgia subsidizes child care through the tax system, with millions of forgone tax dollars subsiziding child care for upper-income families. Policymakers should end the child care subsidy for higher-income Georgians and more fully assist low-income working families.
* Create a state earned income tax credit (EITC), enhance outreach efforts around the federal EITC, and raise the state minimum wage to the federal level.
-----
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
NCR to locate Center of Excellence in Georgia
Fortune 500 company will expand within existing Peachtree City, Duluth facilities
Governor Sonny Perdue and NCR Corporation Senior Vice President Christine Wallace announced today that NCR, a Fortune 500 technology company, will establish a global Center of Excellence in Georgia, co-locating several key components of its Worldwide Customer Service operations and creating 916 new jobs in the next 26 months. In conjunction with this expanded service presence, the headquarters for NCR’s Worldwide Customer Services business will also be located in Georgia.
“We welcome NCR’s Center of Excellence to Georgia,” said Governor Perdue. “Georgia’s workforce is widely known for being highly skilled and able to provide quality customer service, which are both qualities that we are proud to contribute to NCR’s continued success.”
NCR – the world’s leading provider of ATMs, retail self-checkout and other innovative assisted- and self-service solutions – will make a $15 million capital investment and expand the number of personnel in its existing facilities in both Peachtree City and Duluth, creating new jobs in each community. The company will co-locate an NCR Learning Center and its Customer Care Center hub for the Americas region with the company’s existing Global Service Materials operation in Peachtree City.
The 360,000-square-foot facility in Peachtree City will be extensively remodeled to create a world-class service support environment and training facility. The Peachtree City and Duluth facilities will house interrelated functions that support service delivery to NCR’s customers throughout the U.S. and Canada, and coordinate with NCR service centers in other regions to support customers on a global basis. Co-locating these functions in the greater Atlanta area will create a collaborative community of service professionals that can more easily share service knowledge and best practices. The Peachtree City facility will also enable visitors to observe NCR’s end-to-end service delivery process within a single location.
“The creation of this Center of Excellence underscores NCR’s commitment to its growing Worldwide Customer Services business and to exceeding our customers’ expectations of NCR as a dependable technology partner,” said Wallace. “Georgia’s thriving business environment and large, multilingual workforce will enhance NCR’s ability to provide cost-effective service delivery and the world’s highest levels of customer satisfaction and solution availability.”
“We thank this Fortune 500 Company for their investment in our community,” said Peachtree City Mayor Harold Logsdon. “Peachtree City’s slogan is ‘Plan to Stay’ and we are thrilled to know that NCR has chosen to do just that by announcing their decision to expand their operations here. In choosing Peachtree City for their Customer Services Center of Excellence, NCR is demonstrating that Peachtree City is the preeminent location for world class industry to locate and grow, and that they value our unique location and quality of life.”
“I’m proud that Gwinnett County Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett have once again been able to attract this kind of high quality project to our county, our state, and our region. This is a tremendous accomplishment for all of us,” said Charles Bannister, chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Governor Sonny Perdue and NCR Corporation Senior Vice President Christine Wallace announced today that NCR, a Fortune 500 technology company, will establish a global Center of Excellence in Georgia, co-locating several key components of its Worldwide Customer Service operations and creating 916 new jobs in the next 26 months. In conjunction with this expanded service presence, the headquarters for NCR’s Worldwide Customer Services business will also be located in Georgia.
“We welcome NCR’s Center of Excellence to Georgia,” said Governor Perdue. “Georgia’s workforce is widely known for being highly skilled and able to provide quality customer service, which are both qualities that we are proud to contribute to NCR’s continued success.”
NCR – the world’s leading provider of ATMs, retail self-checkout and other innovative assisted- and self-service solutions – will make a $15 million capital investment and expand the number of personnel in its existing facilities in both Peachtree City and Duluth, creating new jobs in each community. The company will co-locate an NCR Learning Center and its Customer Care Center hub for the Americas region with the company’s existing Global Service Materials operation in Peachtree City.
The 360,000-square-foot facility in Peachtree City will be extensively remodeled to create a world-class service support environment and training facility. The Peachtree City and Duluth facilities will house interrelated functions that support service delivery to NCR’s customers throughout the U.S. and Canada, and coordinate with NCR service centers in other regions to support customers on a global basis. Co-locating these functions in the greater Atlanta area will create a collaborative community of service professionals that can more easily share service knowledge and best practices. The Peachtree City facility will also enable visitors to observe NCR’s end-to-end service delivery process within a single location.
“The creation of this Center of Excellence underscores NCR’s commitment to its growing Worldwide Customer Services business and to exceeding our customers’ expectations of NCR as a dependable technology partner,” said Wallace. “Georgia’s thriving business environment and large, multilingual workforce will enhance NCR’s ability to provide cost-effective service delivery and the world’s highest levels of customer satisfaction and solution availability.”
“We thank this Fortune 500 Company for their investment in our community,” said Peachtree City Mayor Harold Logsdon. “Peachtree City’s slogan is ‘Plan to Stay’ and we are thrilled to know that NCR has chosen to do just that by announcing their decision to expand their operations here. In choosing Peachtree City for their Customer Services Center of Excellence, NCR is demonstrating that Peachtree City is the preeminent location for world class industry to locate and grow, and that they value our unique location and quality of life.”
“I’m proud that Gwinnett County Economic Development and Partnership Gwinnett have once again been able to attract this kind of high quality project to our county, our state, and our region. This is a tremendous accomplishment for all of us,” said Charles Bannister, chairman of the Gwinnett County Commission.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Sunday, October 12, 2008
First Major Auto Assembly Equipment for Kia Arrives in Georgia
The first major machinery destined for Kia Motors’ West Point manufacturing plant arrived in the United States this week when the ship M/V Leopold Stuffs coasted into the Port of Savannah carrying more than 3,500 tons of automobile-making equipment.
Over the next few weeks, the equipment will be transported from Savannah to Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc.’s $1.2 billion facility, which is under construction in West Point. There it will be assembled into two large presses that will be used to form various panels for Kia vehicles. Some of the larger pieces weigh up to 125 tons and require special arrangements for its transportation across Georgia.
“This is a great example of how Georgia’s strengths enable our successes in economic development,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “From our ports to our highways to QuickStart’s workforce training, Georgia has all the advantages that global companies look for in a place to create new jobs and new investment.”
With Kia’s planned 2,500 jobs and $1.2 billion investment, the economic impact of the project on West Georgia and the state is continuing to grow. Automotive suppliers who have announced their intent to locate in the region as a result of Kia’s presence will bring the total job creation number to more than 6,000.
“The arrival of these presses inside the state of Georgia is another huge step for Kia as we get closer to going into production in West Point,” said Randy Jackson, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc.’s (KMMG) director of human resources and administration. “It takes quite an effort between Kia and various state agencies to coordinate the transport of such a large shipment, but Georgia’s ability to facilitate such an effort is one of the main reasons we’re here.”
Jackson praised the collaboration among the various agencies for making this significant achievement possible. The overall project is spearheaded by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) capabilities for receiving and handling such large pieces of cargo, combined with the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) engineering know-how for determining a secure route and monitoring safety requirements enable the equipment to make the final leg of a journey that has already taken it 15,000 miles from its origin in Masan, Korea. Quick Start, Georgia’s workforce training program which is part of the Technical College System of Georgia, closes the loop by helping to prepare Kia’s team members for operation of the assembly equipment.
"Kia is an important customer for the GPA and this recent shipment is another example of that partnership," said Doug J. Marchand, Executive Director of the GPA. "We look forward to working with Kia for many years to come."
The shipment left Masan, Korea, August 12 on the Leopold Staffs and has since navigated across the Pacific Ocean, through the Panama Canal, across the Gulf of Mexico, around Florida and up the coast to the Port of Savannah. Aerocosta Global Systems of New York coordinated the ship’s operations.
Once the equipment is unloaded from the ship, the items will be transported another 300 miles to KMMG in West Point in 128 separate loads. The company Guy M. Turner, Inc. of North Carolina will transport the pieces from the Port of Savannah to West Point, using a fleet of trucks that include dual-lane trailers and a specialized 19-axle truck for the largest pieces of the presses.
The equipment will be assembled by the company Rotem, its manufacturer, into a transfer press and a blanking press. The transfer press will use its capability for 5,400 tons of pressure to stamp steel into 17 different types of vehicle panels for the next generation Sorento, including its hood, doors and fenders. The blanking press will use 600 tons of pressure to cut steel “blanks” which will be shaped by the stamping press.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Over the next few weeks, the equipment will be transported from Savannah to Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc.’s $1.2 billion facility, which is under construction in West Point. There it will be assembled into two large presses that will be used to form various panels for Kia vehicles. Some of the larger pieces weigh up to 125 tons and require special arrangements for its transportation across Georgia.
“This is a great example of how Georgia’s strengths enable our successes in economic development,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “From our ports to our highways to QuickStart’s workforce training, Georgia has all the advantages that global companies look for in a place to create new jobs and new investment.”
With Kia’s planned 2,500 jobs and $1.2 billion investment, the economic impact of the project on West Georgia and the state is continuing to grow. Automotive suppliers who have announced their intent to locate in the region as a result of Kia’s presence will bring the total job creation number to more than 6,000.
“The arrival of these presses inside the state of Georgia is another huge step for Kia as we get closer to going into production in West Point,” said Randy Jackson, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc.’s (KMMG) director of human resources and administration. “It takes quite an effort between Kia and various state agencies to coordinate the transport of such a large shipment, but Georgia’s ability to facilitate such an effort is one of the main reasons we’re here.”
Jackson praised the collaboration among the various agencies for making this significant achievement possible. The overall project is spearheaded by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. The Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) capabilities for receiving and handling such large pieces of cargo, combined with the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) engineering know-how for determining a secure route and monitoring safety requirements enable the equipment to make the final leg of a journey that has already taken it 15,000 miles from its origin in Masan, Korea. Quick Start, Georgia’s workforce training program which is part of the Technical College System of Georgia, closes the loop by helping to prepare Kia’s team members for operation of the assembly equipment.
"Kia is an important customer for the GPA and this recent shipment is another example of that partnership," said Doug J. Marchand, Executive Director of the GPA. "We look forward to working with Kia for many years to come."
The shipment left Masan, Korea, August 12 on the Leopold Staffs and has since navigated across the Pacific Ocean, through the Panama Canal, across the Gulf of Mexico, around Florida and up the coast to the Port of Savannah. Aerocosta Global Systems of New York coordinated the ship’s operations.
Once the equipment is unloaded from the ship, the items will be transported another 300 miles to KMMG in West Point in 128 separate loads. The company Guy M. Turner, Inc. of North Carolina will transport the pieces from the Port of Savannah to West Point, using a fleet of trucks that include dual-lane trailers and a specialized 19-axle truck for the largest pieces of the presses.
The equipment will be assembled by the company Rotem, its manufacturer, into a transfer press and a blanking press. The transfer press will use its capability for 5,400 tons of pressure to stamp steel into 17 different types of vehicle panels for the next generation Sorento, including its hood, doors and fenders. The blanking press will use 600 tons of pressure to cut steel “blanks” which will be shaped by the stamping press.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Newell Rubbermaid Opens Global Headquarters, Announces Expansion
Governor Sonny Perdue and Mark Ketchum, president and CEO of Newell Rubbermaid, Inc., announced today that the company will add up to 200 new jobs in its latest Georgia expansion. The announcement came today during ribbon-cutting ceremonies for Newell Rubbermaid’s new global headquarters building in Sandy Springs, Ga.
“I am honored to help welcome Newell Rubbermaid employees to their new offices,” said Governor Perdue. “We are proud this great company has found continued success by putting down deeper roots in Georgia.”
The Fortune 500 company will welcome its Baby and Parenting Essentials global business unit, comprised of the Graco, Aprica and Teutonia brands, to the building in summer 2009, bringing up to 200 jobs to Georgia – the majority of which will be filled locally.
As previously announced, Newell Rubbermaid also will open a new 800,000-square-foot Southeast distribution center in Union City later this year, ultimately employing a workforce of 300 – 200 of which will be new jobs added to the Georgia economy.
Newell Rubbermaid moved its worldwide headquarters to Atlanta in 2003. Its Georgia workforce will have grown from 200 people in 2003 to approximately 1,000 employees by the end of 2009.
“The State of Georgia and metro Atlanta have been extremely welcoming to Newell Rubbermaid. In addition to being an international hub, metro Atlanta is home to exceptional talent from a variety of backgrounds, which will help ensure that our employee population ultimately reflects the diversity of our consumer population,” said Newell Rubbermaid President and CEO Mark Ketchum. “This building symbolizes so many of the intangibles that are critical to our future success: the opportunity to build one culture, bring our values to life, and declare to the world who we are and what we are about.”
Newell Rubbermaid’s 350,000-square-foot, 14-story global headquarters building is located at Three Glenlake Parkway in the Perimeter Center area of Atlanta. The building was developed by Greenstone Properties in partnership with Pope & Land and Granite Properties. Architects were Pickard Chilton and Wakefield Beasley. Employees from three separate Atlanta sites are united in the new headquarters, which includes a training facility, fitness center, café, company store and other worker-friendly amenities. The company has the option to expand further and construct a second building on the site.
Partnering with Newell Rubbermaid on its expansion were the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Development Authority of Fulton County and City of Sandy Springs
About the Company Newell Rubbermaid Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a global marketer of consumer and commercial products with sales of over $6 billion and a strong portfolio of brands, including Rubbermaid®, Sharpie®, Graco®, Calphalon®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Levolor®, Paper Mate®, Dymo®, Waterman®, Parker®, Goody®, BernzOmatic®,and Amerock®. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and has approximately 22,500 employees worldwide.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
“I am honored to help welcome Newell Rubbermaid employees to their new offices,” said Governor Perdue. “We are proud this great company has found continued success by putting down deeper roots in Georgia.”
The Fortune 500 company will welcome its Baby and Parenting Essentials global business unit, comprised of the Graco, Aprica and Teutonia brands, to the building in summer 2009, bringing up to 200 jobs to Georgia – the majority of which will be filled locally.
As previously announced, Newell Rubbermaid also will open a new 800,000-square-foot Southeast distribution center in Union City later this year, ultimately employing a workforce of 300 – 200 of which will be new jobs added to the Georgia economy.
Newell Rubbermaid moved its worldwide headquarters to Atlanta in 2003. Its Georgia workforce will have grown from 200 people in 2003 to approximately 1,000 employees by the end of 2009.
“The State of Georgia and metro Atlanta have been extremely welcoming to Newell Rubbermaid. In addition to being an international hub, metro Atlanta is home to exceptional talent from a variety of backgrounds, which will help ensure that our employee population ultimately reflects the diversity of our consumer population,” said Newell Rubbermaid President and CEO Mark Ketchum. “This building symbolizes so many of the intangibles that are critical to our future success: the opportunity to build one culture, bring our values to life, and declare to the world who we are and what we are about.”
Newell Rubbermaid’s 350,000-square-foot, 14-story global headquarters building is located at Three Glenlake Parkway in the Perimeter Center area of Atlanta. The building was developed by Greenstone Properties in partnership with Pope & Land and Granite Properties. Architects were Pickard Chilton and Wakefield Beasley. Employees from three separate Atlanta sites are united in the new headquarters, which includes a training facility, fitness center, café, company store and other worker-friendly amenities. The company has the option to expand further and construct a second building on the site.
Partnering with Newell Rubbermaid on its expansion were the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, Development Authority of Fulton County and City of Sandy Springs
About the Company Newell Rubbermaid Inc, an S&P 500 company, is a global marketer of consumer and commercial products with sales of over $6 billion and a strong portfolio of brands, including Rubbermaid®, Sharpie®, Graco®, Calphalon®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Levolor®, Paper Mate®, Dymo®, Waterman®, Parker®, Goody®, BernzOmatic®,and Amerock®. The company is headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., and has approximately 22,500 employees worldwide.
---
www.FayetteFrontPage.com
Fayette Front Page
Community News You Can Use
Fayetteville, Peachtree City, Tyrone
www.GeorgiaFrontPage.com
www.ArtsAcrossGeorgia.com
---
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
