NBAA Honors Governor Perdue with American Spirit Award

Characterizes those who created, advanced the American aviation community

The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) today announced that Governor Sonny Perdue has been named the recipient of the 2010 American Spirit Award at NBAA’s 63rd Annual Meeting & Convention (NBAA2010) in Atlanta.

The NBAA American Spirit Award is presented in recognition of an individual who exemplifies the service, courage and pursuit of excellence in support of business aviation that characterizes the men and women who created and advanced the American aviation community. The Governor was presented the award during this morning’s opening general session of the convention, which draws 25,000 aviation professionals and enthusiasts from across the world to the Georgia World Congress Center.

“Governor Perdue has two great passions – aviation and the state of Georgia – and has spent many years tirelessly supporting and nurturing the development of both,” said NBAA President and CEO Ed Bolen. “NBAA is proud to include him among the speakers at our convention’s opening general session, and also to honor him with the American Spirit Award for his dedication to all aviation, including business aviation.”

In 2007, Governor Perdue addressed attendees at the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, also in Atlanta, welcoming the crowd to “the real state of aviation,” and proudly detailed Georgia’s long list of aviation superlatives, including the state’s role as home to the eighth-largest general aviation industry in the nation, with many thousands of people employed at more than 500 aerospace and aviation companies.

“NBAA applauds Governor Perdue for recognizing the value of business aviation, to citizens, companies and communities across Georgia,” Bolen added. “The Governor has long understood that the use of a business airplane helps promote the creation of jobs, provides service to small communities and helps companies of all sizes in the state compete and succeed. We thank Governor Perdue for his steadfast support for business aviation, and the many benefits it brings to the State of Georgia.”

Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the NBAA is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The Association represents more than 8,000 companies and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Annual Meeting & Convention, the world's largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at www.nbaa.org.

Past honorees of the NBAA American Spirit Award have included such aviation notables and pioneers as John and Martha King, founders of the King Schools, Inc., and Rep. John Mica (R-7-FL). For more information about the Convention's 2010 programming, visit NBAA's dedicated AM&C web page at http://www.nbaa.org/2010.

RWE to Locate New Bioenergy Production Facility in Ware County

One of Europe’s largest energy firms to create 75 jobs and invest $150 million

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that RWE Innogy of Germany and BMC of Sweden will locate a bioenergy production plant in Waycross in Ware County, creating approximately 75 direct jobs and investing nearly $150 million. The facility will operate as a wood pellet production plant, and is expected to produce 750,000 tons of wood products annually. RWE will serve as an investor in this project, while BMC will carry out the development of the new facility.

“The plentiful resources in Ware County, such as its abundant forest assets and strategic railroad and highway access to Georgia’s deepwater ports, make it an ideal location for this renewable energy facility,” said Governor Perdue. “We welcome RWE and BMC to Georgia and look forward to the positive impact the Waycross plant will have for the state’s forestry sector, this community and the surrounding region.”

RWE, a leading energy production utility in Europe, is working with BMC to develop the production facility to export wood pellets to Europe. RWE and BMC plan to create the world’s largest renewable energy capacity of wood pellets produced at the new facility. Once they are shipped to Europe, RWE will use the wood pellets to meet the growing European demand for renewable energy.

“With its vast forest lands, Georgia is the ideal partner for us in respect to biomass,” said Prof. Fritz Vahrenholt, CEO of RWE Innogy. “What has convinced us in particular is the high standard of sustainability applied by the state in planting and harvesting forests. This is fully in line with our own criteria. These conditions certainly helped the decision to go ahead with the construction of the pellet factory and to create about 75 jobs."

Operating as Georgia BioMass, LLC, the new production facility will be built on a 300-acre parcel of land donated by the Okefenokee Area Development Authority. Production at the Waycross plant is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2011. Future job opportunities will be coordinated through the Georgia Department of Labor’s Waycross office.

“We are very excited about having formed this close cooperation with RWE, to develop a world-class biomass facility to provide the power industry with a tailored pellet with ‘coal like’ characteristics for efficient conversion to electricity,” said BMC founder and managing partner Mats Lindstrand. “The location in Waycross Georgia is perfect for us and we feel very welcomed in the local community.”

Waycross was selected as the site of the new RWE facility in part due to the area’s abundance of forests necessary to sustain wood pellet production.

“Our region is attractive to companies in the renewable energy industry as a result of the area’s accessibility to shipping ports and railways, existing infrastructure, and low-cost operating levels,” said Regina Morgan, Executive Director of the Okefenokee Area Development Authority. “This community proudly welcomes Georgia BioMass, and looks forward to a fruitful relationship for years to come.”

Identified as one of Georgia’s strategic industries, the renewable energy sector is poised for significant growth in the state. Businesses in this industry can leverage competitive assets offered by the Georgia Center of Innovation for Energy, a vital and central resource for companies seeking an advantage in the production of renewable energy and alternative fuels in Georgia.

“Businesses in the bioenergy sector are poised for great success in Georgia,” said Jill Stuckey, director of the Georgia Center of Innovation for Energy. “The state’s logistical advantages, wealth of forest resources and the innovative research being done at Georgia’s universities and prime research facilities make Georgia a strategic location for bioenergy projects.”

Tom Croteau, Director of Energy for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, managed this project.

About RWE Innogy
RWE Innogy pools the renewable energy expertise and generating plants of the RWE Group. The company plans, builds and operates renewable power generation facilities, and aims to vigorously grow its renewable energy capacity. The expansion of onshore and offshore wind power capacities will remain the driver for RWE Innogy’s growth in the future, however, biomass and hydroelectric power will also be vigorously expanded. Innovation is another key focus area for RWE Innogy, not only pursuing classical research and development, but also investing in selected emerging technology companies.

About BMC
BMC (BioMass Capital Management AB with subsidiaries) is a Swedish-based project and technology development company , specialized in wood based biomass to replace fossil fuels. BMC has a highly specialized staff with long experience from the wood products and biomass industries and has offices in Stockholm, Sweden and Savannah, Georgia.
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Governor Perdue Participates in Board Cutting for Lowndes County Home Depot Distribution Center

Governor Perdue, CEO Frank Blake Tour State-of-the-Art Facility Thursday

Governor Sonny Perdue joined The Home Depot CEO Frank Blake at the opening of the company’s 657,000 sq. ft. Rapid Deployment Center in Lowndes County. Governor Perdue and Mr. Blake toured the facility Thursday and joined local officials in a unique Home Depot board-cutting ceremony. The world’s largest home improvement retailer will create several hundred jobs in office and warehouse positions over the next few years at the site.

“I’m proud to have one of Georgia’s largest and most admired companies invest in our state. It shows that we’re not just a great place to get started, but also a great place to grow,” said Governor Perdue. “Our strong business climate and strength in logistics continues to attract top-tier retailers like The Home Depot.”

The distribution center is located on 89 acres in the Lake Park Industrial Park and will serve approximately 150 Home Depot retail stores throughout the southeast.

Commissioner Ken Stewart of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and other state and local officials joined the Lowndes County Industrial Authority and officials of The Home Depot at the facility for the grand opening.

“The Home Depot is pleased to create additional jobs in our home state of Georgia,” said Chris Falcon, General Manager of The Home Depot Rapid Deployment Center. “I’ve been impressed with the quality of talent that we have found in this region, which has helped us get this facility up and running on time.”

The Home Depot offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k, a discounted stock purchase plan, and its Success Sharing bonus program for eligible full- and part-time associates.

This site is part of a larger program to transform the Home Depot supply chain, making it easier for Home Depot stores to keep the right products in stock when consumers need them.

The Valdosta/Lowndes County region has been awarded a top three designation as a location for new industry by Site Selection Magazine. The site is convenient to several major highways and is backed by tremendous government and development support.

Auto Supplier DongNam Tech to Locate in Columbus

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that automotive supplier DongNam Tech would locate its first U.S. plant in Columbus, creating 350 jobs and investing $29 million.

“Automotive suppliers are flocking to West Georgia in order to provide services to Kia and the other automakers in the Southeast,” said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. “The thriving business environment in Columbus offers prospects a strong workforce and connected transportation network that make it a natural choice for companies such as DongNam Tech.”

DongNam Tech is creating a U.S. offshoot called DNT Georgia for the new facility, planned to be 100,000 square feet on 26 acres in the Muscogee Technology Park. The company will manufacture carpet and floor mats for a number of automakers and suppliers, including Hyundai Mobis, Kia Mobis, General Motors and Nissan. DNT expects to be in production by January 2009.

Pochun, Korea-based DongNam has a long history as a supplier to Kia and related companies. In addition to the new facility in Columbus, DongNam also has a distribution center in Detroit.
“Our new location in Georgia will allow us to make the best quality carpet and floor mats for our automotive customers,” said DongNam Tech CEO Ki-bong Lee. “We look forward to making our home in Muscogee County.”

“We are pleased to welcome DNT Georgia to Columbus,” said Dick Ellis, chairman of the Development Authority of Columbus. “The local workforce is looking forward to helping their first U.S. manufacturing facility be a shining success, and we know DNT Georgia will become a great corporate citizen.”

Yoonie Kim, project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and Becca Hardin, executive vice president of economic development for The Valley Partnership, assisted DNT Georgia in its location.

DongNam Tech, based in Pochun, Korea, was founded in 1990 to provide floor mats to the automotive sector. With an emphasis on meeting the customer’s needs, DongNam Tech manufactures high-quality carpet and floor mats at a competitive price.

State of Georgia's Revenue Collecctions for May 2008 Cause Concerns

State of Georgia's Revenue Collections for May 2008 Cause Concerns: Governor Should Appoint Commission to Study Revenue Structure

The latest Georgia revenue figures released by the Department of Revenue show that revenues have declined by 0.1 percent through the first 11 months of the fiscal year. The Governor's FY 2008 revenue estimate is based on revenue growth of 2.7 percent. If revenue growth remains flat in June, the FY 2008 Georgia budget will be facing a $500 to $600 million shortfall.

"Because of the Governor's wise fiscal management over the past four years, the state has healthy reserve funds. These reserves put the Governor in a position to manage the economically driven revenue shortfalls without cutting vital government services," said Alan Essig, the executive director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. The Revenue Shortfall Reserve (RSR) contains over $1.5 billion. If revenues remain sluggish throughout FY 2009, it is expected that almost all of the $1.5 billion of reserve funds would be needed to cover budget shortfalls.

"The continued revenue slowdown highlights the fiscal irresponsibility of those legislative leaders who proposed significant tax cuts this past legislative session. Along with this slowdown, there are continued needs, such as trauma care, full education funding, the mental health system, and health insurance for children who are eligible but not enrolled in Medicaid and PeachCare. In light of legislators wasting time with politically motivated tax cut rhetoric, the Governor should take the responsible action of establishing a blue ribbon commission to study the revenue and budget realities of Georgia," Essig concluded.

Top-tier Kia Supplier to Locate New Facility in West Point

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that top-tier Kia supplier Glovis plans to locate a new facility in West Point, creating 600 jobs.

“With this latest announcement, total job creation by the Kia plant and supplier facilities in Georgia will near 6,000,” said Governor Perdue. “We welcome Glovis to the Georgia business community and look forward to the important role it will play in Kia’s success.”

Glovis Georgia LLC and Glovis America Inc., part of Seoul, Korea-based Glovis, will be a key logistics provider for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG). The 558,131-square-foot plant will be located on 95 acres at the Kia site in West Point. Production is expected to begin in Dec. 2009.

Glovis will supply auto parts and provide inventory management to the KMMG vehicle assembly line. The company has been a top logistics provider for Kia and Hyundai since 2001.

“Our new facility in West Point will allow us to provide just-in-time inventory management for KMMG and deliver the high quality logistics services that Glovis is known for around the world,” said Seunyong Sung, CEO with Glovis Georgia. “We look forward to success in our new home in Georgia.”

“We are thrilled to have Glovis in the city of West Point,” said West Point Mayor Drew Ferguson. “They are a great addition to the network of suppliers located on the Kia site, and I know our city is looking forward to providing a great work environment for them.”

Mark Lytle, project manager with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, assisted Glovis in its location.

Glovis, based in Seoul, Korea, is an integrated logistics company that aims to maximize customer value and loyalty through customer-focused business. Glovis currently has 16 offices worldwide acting as a global base for logistics. The company is committed to building a Global Supply Chain Management system throughout its offices around the globe.

Travelport makes Atlanta its North American GDS headquarters

Travel Conglomerate to add up to 300 jobs, invest $33 million in two metro area locations

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced recently that Travelport will make Atlanta its North American global distribution system (GDS) headquarters, adding up to 300 jobs and investing $33 million.

“Travelport’s decision to locate a division headquarters in Atlanta signals that our position as a hub in the travel and IT industries is second to none,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The addition of these high-paying jobs will provide more opportunities for Georgia’s best and brightest to stay in the state and continue to grow our economy.”

Travelport acquired Atlanta-based Worldspan in August 2007. Travelport will make the former Worldspan location in Cobb County at 300 Galleria Parkway N.W. its North American GDS headquarters, adding up to 200 jobs. The company will consolidate operations across its current North American locations of Rosemont, IL; Parsippany, NJ and Denver, CO. Travelport is also expanding its data center in Hapeville and plans to add up to 100 jobs to that facility. In addition to the new jobs created, the company will retain the existing 325 metro Atlanta based jobs.

Travelport is a world leader in the provision of automated travel reservations for airlines, hotels, car rental companies, cruise lines and rail operators, providing service to on-line and off-line travel agencies in over 145 countries. It also runs most of the internal reservations and related systems used by carriers such as Delta, Northwest and United Airlines, as well as more than 40 other airlines globally.

“The consolidation of our business into a North American GDS headquarters is a significant step in building upon synergies between our existing Galileo and recently acquired Worldspan GDS businesses,” said Gordon Wilson, CEO and president, Travelport GDS. “The State of Georgia, Cobb and Fulton counties and the city of Atlanta have demonstrated strong support for our move and we look forward to growing our business and serving our customers from our new North American GDS headquarters. Atlanta has an excellent geographic position, continually growing international direct airline services and a well educated, technologically literate work force.”

A number of agencies worked together on the Travelport project, including Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Development Authority of Fulton County, the Cobb County Office of Economic Development, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, the Department of Revenue, QuickStart, ICAPP, Department of Labor and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

“We are proud to welcome Travelport’s GDS North American headquarters to a growing list of industry leaders headquartered in Cobb County,” said Cobb Commission Chairman Sam Olens. “Travelport will bring new jobs, new technologies and its broad global connections to Cobb County.”

“The City of Hapeville is excited to welcome Travelport to our town,” said Hapeville Mayor Alan Hallman. “Our city enjoys the luxury of being the front door to Hartsfield Jackson International Airport and we benefit greatly from the economic activity generated by the airport. We look forward to a long and bright future with Travelport.”

About Travelport GDS
Travelport GDS is one of the world’s largest global distribution system (GDS) providers operating both the Galileo and the Worldspan brands, providing real-time travel information and booking capabilities to online and offline travel agencies in over 145 countries. It also operates Travelport Business Intelligence providing marketing and other critical data to the global travel industry through Shepherd Systems and Travelport Airline IT Services and Solutions, which provides mission critical reservations and related software and services management to the world’s leading airlines. Travelport GDS is a convergence of traditional and online travel distribution services that empower airlines, travel suppliers, travel agencies, Web sites and corporations to provide informed choice to travelers on a global platform. Travelport GDS is a division of Travelport, one of the world’s largest service providers to the travel industry. More information is available at travelportgds.com.

About Travelport
Travelport is one of the world’s largest service providers to the travel industry. The company operates two primary businesses - a global distribution system business, which comprises the Galileo and Worldspan brands and a group travel and wholesale hotel business through its GTA brand. Travelport also owns a significant interest in Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW), a leading global online travel company. With 2006 revenues (including Worldspan) of approximately $3.4 billion, Travelport operates in 145 countries and has approximately 7,500 employees. Travelport is a private company owned by The Blackstone Group, Technology Crossover Ventures and One Equity Partners.