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Friday, August 1, 2008
Gov. Perdue shares good, bad news for state
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Speaking at the Commerce Club’s Leadership Lunch program, Gov. Sonny Perdue told business leaders that the state has much to celebrate even during these tough economic times.
“Georgia is going to survive,” Perdue said. “I think we’ll come out stronger and better.”
As a example, Perdue announced new figures from the Georgia Department of Economic Development. For the past fiscal year (ending June 30), 321 economic development projects located or expanding in the state bringing 19,668 jobs and $3.26 billion in new investment.
Those numbers reflected a 17 percent increase in investment over the 2007 fiscal year, a 13.1 percent increase in jobs and a 14.2 percent increase in the number of announcements.
Still, Perdue said the state’s revenues have suffered as a result of the down economy. But he has no intention to use the $900 million in reserves from this year’s budget to help bridge the gap. He also said he had not decided whether he would call a special session to deal with budget issues.
The governor also said he is getting ready to go to China this weekend and that he intends to go to Spain, Portugal and Italy this fall.
One of the funnier lines he delivered was when he talked about VW’s decision to build an auto plant in Chattanooga, Tenn., near Georgia’s border.
“Georgia will be the beneficiary of those jobs from suppliers,” Perdue said. “That deal is kind of like having a friend who has a boat. That’ll be a good ride.”
David Ratcliffe, CEO of the Southern Co., introduced the governor before his luncheon speech. And Perdue couldn’t help but make a commercial for Southern Co. and Georgia Power.
“That company and its subsidiaries have had as much to do with Georgia’s growth as anything,” Perdue said.
Then Perdue lashed out against a ruling from Fulton County Superior Court Judge Thelma Wyatt Cummings Moore that will make it more difficult to build new coal-fired power plants.
The case concerned a proposal by LS Power Group of New Jersey and Dynegy of Houston to build a new coal plant in Early County.
Although he didn’t mention the judge by name, Perdue made his views known.
“It’s very frightening to me when one Superior Court judge can challenge the planning done over a number of years,” Perdue said. “We are in dangerous territory when one Superior Court judge can stop that kind of plan.”
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Atlanta Sports Council has new chairman
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Genthner, senior vice president and general manager of Atlanta-based FSN South and SportSouth, has been named chairman of the Atlanta Sports Council.
He replaces William Pate, a retired BellSouth executive and former chairman of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, who was chairman of the council from 2005 to 2006.
Genthner has played a vital role in building FSN South into the largest regional sports network with connections to more than 12 million cable and satellite homes. SportSouth, formerly Turner South, is the sixth largest regional sports network, reaching nine million homes in a six-state region.
The Atlanta Sports Council promotes the economic development opportunities associated with sports, including special events like the Super Bowl and the Final Four. It is affiliated with the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.
“Jeff brings a tremendous level of business acumen and savvy experience to this role, something that will provide a great benefit our organization,” said Gary Stokan, Atlanta Sports Council president. in a statement. “And perhaps his strongest attribute is his ability to foster and cultivate working relationships, which will only enhance the work that we do.”
Since beginning his broadcasting career in 1980, Genthner has held various roles including producer of the New York Yankees and New York Islanders telecasts; managing director of the U.S.. Olympic Committee’s Entertainment Properties division serving as a liaison between NBC and the International Olympic Committee for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney; and general manager of FSN Florida.
