U.S. Military Veteran Opens Store Under Little Caesars Veterans Program

/PRNewswire/ -- Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. today proudly celebrates the grand opening of another store under the Little Caesars Veterans Program, as former U.S. Air Force Airman Eddie Underwood opens his Little Caesars Pizza restaurant at 4870 Floyd Road SW in Mableton, Georgia.

"I am proud to be part of the Little Caesars Veterans Program because it offers veterans like me the chance to enter the next stage in our careers by owning and operating a business," said Underwood. "I always wanted to be in business for myself and after researching Little Caesars, I was sold on the brand."

Born in Plattsburg, New York on an Air Force base, Underwood took after his father who also served in the military, and joined the U.S. Air Force after high school. Stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, he served as a financial management specialist responsible for accounts payables and receivables from 1985 to 1988.

Underwood transitioned to the U.S. Postal Service as a mail handler and has held several other positions before joining Little Caesars and becoming an entrepreneur.

"Little Caesars is focused on offering great products and giving back to the community and this choice is the right fit for me," said Underwood. "Little Caesars has always believed in providing terrific value to customers and I'm happy to be bringing that value to the Mableton community with my brother Isaac." Eddie Underwood will be responsible for the day-to-day operations in his Little Caesars store, while Isaac Underwood will help co-manage the business.

The Little Caesars Veterans Program was created in 2006 to thank veterans for their service and provide them with career opportunities when they transition to civilian life or seek a career change. It offers honorably discharged, service-disabled veterans, such as Underwood, who qualify as Little Caesars franchisees, a benefit of up to approximately $68,000. Honorably discharged, non-service-disabled veterans who qualify as Little Caesars franchisees are eligible for a benefit of up to approximately $20,000.

"With talented veterans such as Eddie joining the Little Caesars team, the Little Caesars Veterans Program continues to grow and offer veterans business ownership opportunities," said David Scrivano, president, Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. "The skills Eddie gained in the military, such as teamwork, dedication and a familiarity with processes, will enable him to become a strong Little Caesars franchisee."

Some of the menu items Underwood will feature in his store include HOT-N-READY(R) Pizza, Crazy Bread(R), Caesar Wings(R) and Caesar Dips(R).

In one of the largest U.S. quick serve restaurant research studies in 2007, Little Caesars was named the best value for the money of all quick serve restaurant chains.* Sandelman & Associates' Quick-Track(R) research study tracks key consumer behavioral and attitudinal measures for all major fast-food chains. Surveys were conducted among more than 84,000 quick service restaurant customers in 70 major markets across the U.S. Little Caesars was also named highest rated pizza chain for "Convenience of Locations" and "Speed of Service."

Little Caesars was recently listed by the Small Business Administration (SBA) as one of the best loan performers among franchises with more than 60 SBA-guaranteed loans.** Little Caesars also works with preferred lenders who understand the business, which becomes increasingly important as it gets more difficult for entrepreneurs to secure financing in today's economy.

Since the program launched two years ago, interest has remained high in the Little Caesars Veterans Program. Currently, 45 veterans collectively are applying more than $1.25 million in credits and benefits to help them grow their Little Caesars businesses. To date, 2,400 inquires have been made about the program. Several veterans have also opened second stores and many are expected to open their first stores under the program in the coming months.

The Center for Veterans Enterprise (part of the Department of Veterans Affairs), Marine For Life (an organization that helps Marines and Sailors transition to civilian life), and the International Franchise Association (through its VetFran program) are points of contact for the Little Caesars Veterans Program. They can provide information about the requirements and qualifications of becoming a Little Caesars franchisee.

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Electrostatic Spraying Systems Wins EMS EXPO 2008 Top Innovation Award

/PRNewswire/ -- Too many people are getting sick, and even dying, from infections and diseases that they are acquiring in places that should be safe...like ambulances, hospitals, schools, restaurants, hotels, athletic facilities, and other public area. The old traditional ways of spraying disinfectants are just not effective any more.

"It's not just what you spray," says Bruce Whiting, owner and President of ESS, "It's how you spray the disinfectants that matters."

Electrostatic Spraying Systems, Inc. (ESS), the world leader in electrostatic spraying technology, recently won the EMS EXPO 2008 Top Innovation Award for its breakthrough electrostatic disinfecting sprayer, the SC-1.

Bruce Whiting said, "We are very proud to receive this honor on behalf of the entire ESS design and production teams. We have a mission to get our sprayers into the hands of the emergency, healthcare and other personnel who are so often exposed to dangerous infectious organisms. By using an SC-1 sprayer, with an effective disinfectant, EMS personnel and the public will be better protected from bacteria, MRSA, Staph and microorganisms - which are causing so many sicknesses and infections. Better spraying of disinfectants will save lives."

Scott Cravens, publisher of EMS Magazine says, "The EMS EXPO 2008 Top Innovation Awards are designed to recognize innovations in products and services for the pre-hospital market." The Top Innovation Awards were chosen from exhibitors at the 2008 EMS EXPO in Las Vegas, and presented at the Texas EMS State Conference in Fort Worth, TX, in November. EMS Magazine will feature the Top 20 Innovation Awards in their January issue.

The ESS SC-1 sprayer is a compact, stand-alone, electrostatic sprayer that allows the user the ability to spray disinfectants in such a way that the chemicals reach around objects and into cracks and crevasses to better control dangerous microorganisms such as MRSA (Multi-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus). The SC-1 sprayer applies a very thin even coating that covers the target and dries quickly.

Built into a poly-resin Pelican case, the SC-1 has wheels and a retractable pull handle. Its small size makes it easy to carry and yet still has the advantage of being a full-powered electrostatic sprayer. ESS manufactures electrostatic sprayers for the agricultural, post-harvest, food processing, disinfection, mold prevention, pest control and restoration markets. More information about ESS sprayers can be found at http://www.maxcharge.com/ and http://www.prevent-staph.com/.

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Secretary Handel Gives Advice on Donating to Charities

Georgia Secretary of State Karen Handel offered advice to individuals planning to donate to charities during the holiday season. Secretary Handel serves as Georgia’s chief charities regulator.

“Donators should thoroughly research a charity before giving to ensure funds are being used for the stated cause, and that it is a legitimate charity organization,” Secretary Handel said.

Secretary Handel issued the following tips for charitable giving:

It is important to research charities before you contribute. The percentage of your contribution that a charity spends on fundraising activities, employee salaries, other expenses and the charity’s stated mission varies greatly by organization.

A number of online resources can help you research charities. The Better Business Bureau (give.org) and GuideStar (guidestar.org) provide detailed information about nonprofit organizations. Also, take time to review the organization’s own website.

In addition, many charities must register with the Georgia Secretary of State’s office. You can research charities at the Secretary of State's website (sos.state.gov/securities).

Be wary of telephone solicitors asking for contributions. If you are solicited by phone, ask that the individual put their request in writing and provide complete information about the charitable program. Also, ask if the person conducting the solicitation is a volunteer or a paid solicitor.

Never give your credit card, debit card or bank account information to a telephone solicitor.

If a tax deduction is important to you, make sure the organization has a tax deductible status with the IRS. The IRS website (irs.gov/charities) has a searchable database of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. Make sure you get a receipt which shows the amount of your contribution and states that the contribution is tax deductible.

Many charitable solicitors ask for contributions of clothing, other household items and vehicles. IRS rules concerning valuations and receipts have changed significantly; be sure you understand them completely (irs.gov/charities/contributors).

Not all organizations with charitable sounding names are actually charities. Many organizations adopt names confusingly similar to well-known charities. Be sure you know exactly who is asking for your contribution.

Watch out for organizations that use questionable techniques such as sending unordered merchandise or invoices after you have turned them down for a donation. You are under no obligation to pay for or return items received under these circumstances. Be particularly cautious of couriers willing to rush out to your home or office to pick up your contribution.
Anyone with more questions can call the Georgia Secretary of State’s Securities and Business Regulation Division, which oversees charities, at (404) 656-3920.

Karen Handel was sworn in as Secretary of State in January 2007. The Secretary of State's office offers important services to our citizens and our business community. Among the office’s wide-ranging responsibilities, the Secretary of State is charged with conducting efficient and secure elections, the registration of corporations, and the regulation of securities and professional license holders. The office also oversees the Georgia Archives and the Capitol Museum.
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PKF Forecasts 7.8 Percent RevPAR Decline in 2009

/PRNewswire/ -- U.S. hotels have entered the initial stages of one of the deepest and longest recessions in the history of the domestic lodging industry. The 7.8 percent drop in RevPAR that PKF Hospitality Research (PKF-HR) is now forecasting for 2009 will be the fifth largest annual decline in this important measure since 1930. Further, PKF-HR is forecasting that the nation's hotels will not experience a year-over-year quarterly increase in RevPAR until the second quarter of 2010. The projected seven consecutive quarters of declining RevPAR, beginning with the just reported third-quarter decline of 1.1 percent, according to data from Smith Travel Research (STR), marks the longest stretch of falling revenues endured by U.S. hotels since STR began tracking performance data in the late 1980s.

PKF-HR recently updated its forecast based on STR lodging performance data through September of 2008 and the November release of Moody's Economy.com economic forecast for the nation. The forecast results are presented in the fourth quarter 2008 edition of Hotel Horizons(SM), a quarterly series of reports containing five-year forecasts of performance for the U.S. lodging industry and 50 major markets across the country.

Mark Woodworth, president of PKF-HR, noted that, "the speed and severity of the downturns in employment and income continue to accelerate. Given the strong correlation between these two economic measures and demand for lodging accommodations, we are forecasting 2.5 percent fewer occupied rooms in 2009. This follows an estimated 1.0 percent decline in demand for year-end 2008."

The expected 2.5 percent fall off in demand, combined with a 2.9 percent increase in supply, will result in a 2009 year-end occupancy level of 57.6 percent. This represents a 5.3 percent decline in occupancy, and is 5.1 percentage points below the long-term average occupancy level for U.S. hotels tracked by STR of 62.7 percent. "The combination of above average net increases of supply occurring simultaneously with dramatic declines in demand is something we have not seen in recent industry recessions. This is what makes this downturn so severe," Woodworth said.

Discounting Impacts Profits

Through the first three quarters of 2008, U.S. hoteliers were holding the line against discounting despite declining levels of demand. In fact, room rates were up 3.7 percent through the first nine months of the year, a pace greater than the long-term average for ADR growth. "The severity of four consecutive down quarters of occupancy was too much for hotel operators to bear," Woodworth observed. "Starting in October 2008, we began to observe year-over-year declines in ADR. Given the expected deterioration of market conditions, we are forecasting a 2.7 percent decline in rates for 2009. This is just shy of the combined 2.9 percent decline in ADR suffered during the two-year period 2001 and 2002."

The ability to drive revenue by increasing room rates creates the most profitable environment for hotels. Therefore, the 2.7 percent fall in room rates leads to the projection of a 14.0 percent decline in net operating income (NOI) for the average U.S. hotel from 2008 to 2009. NOI is defined as income before deductions for capital reserves, rent, interest, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

"Looking back at previous industry recessions, we know that hotel managers will respond and cut costs," Woodworth said. "Fewer occupied rooms will reduce variable expenses such as payroll and operating supplies. In addition, management will eliminate some fixed overhead costs and non-essential guest services and amenities. Recent declines in energy prices will help this cost reduction effort." PKF-HR is forecasting unit-level operating expenses to decline by 4.5 percent in 2009, but this falls short of the 7.3 percent loss in revenue.

Fortunately for U.S. hotel owners and lenders, the vast majority of properties are fiscally fit entering the current downturn. Unit-level profit margins are estimated to be 29.4 percent in 2008, well above the 26.1 percent long-term average. Interest coverage ratios for the hotels in PKF-HR's Trends in the Hotel Industry exceed 1.7. While PKF-HR does not believe the current forecast will generate abundant hotel foreclosures and bankruptcies, operating conditions are at vulnerable levels and further deterioration could impact the solvency of U.S. hotels. "In view of the significant volatility in the domestic and global economy, a negative bias on this outlook is appropriate," noted Jack Corgel, the Robert C. Baker Professor of Real Estate at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University and senior advisor to PKF-HR.

Most Markets Will Suffer

"In keeping with our long-standing view that the lodging industry is a street corner business, we focused heavily on the outlook for the major hotel markets in the nation," Woodworth said. "We have developed 100 unique econometric forecasting models that project the performance of both the upper- and lower-tier properties in 50 of the largest cities in the country."

Except for New Orleans, all of the 50 markets analyzed by PKF-HR are forecast to suffer a decline in RevPAR in 2009. The main culprit for the decline in RevPAR is the forecast fall-off in demand. In 40 of the 50 markets, PKF-HR is forecasting a lower number of rooms to be occupied in 2009 as compared to 2008. In 18 of these markets, an above average increase in the supply of hotel rooms exacerbates the competitiveness of the marketplace.

"When analyzing the declines in RevPAR forecast for the nation's major markets, it certainly appears that warm-weather, leisure-oriented, and seasonal markets are most vulnerable in 2009," Woodworth observed. Five of the top seven forecast city declines in RevPAR are expected to occur within the State of Florida. The other two markets in the top seven are Phoenix and Oahu. "Further reductions in airline capacity amplify the negative operating environment in these markets brought on by weak economic conditions." Previous research by PKF-HR found that a 1.0 percent increase/decrease in airline capacity yields a 0.39 percent increase/decrease in lodging demand at the national level.

Beyond 2009

Come 2010, the relevant economic indicators are forecast to begin to drive lodging demand upward. This will happen simultaneously with diminished levels of new supply, thus resulting in gains in occupancy and, eventually, pricing power. "Given all the lodging industry will have to deal with in 2009, it is hard to look beyond a 12-month window. However, a glance at 2010 does reveal the beginning of an upward trend," Woodworth concluded.

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Lockheed Martin Recognized for Excellence in F-22 Raptor Sustainment

/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lockheed Martin's (NYSE: LMT) F-22 Raptor was recognized as the winner of the Contractor-Military Collaboration Of The Year award for F-22 Sustainment at an awards ceremony Dec. 3 at the Defense Logistics 2008 Conference in Arlington, Va.

The F-22 was designed for supportability and self-sufficiency with a focus on reduced logistics costs. The improved reliability resulting from the performance based logistics strategy of the F-22 Raptor is projected to save the taxpayer $14 billion, or more than 35 percent in support costs over the life of the aircraft.

"We have a strong government partnership, built on a foundation of trust, transparency of operations, and collaborative problem solving. We are very proud to receive recognition for this extraordinary team," said Dennis Haines, Lockheed Martin vice president for F-22 Sustainment.

The award follows recent recognition, in September, when Lockheed Martin and the F-22 team received the 2008 Performance Based Logistics System Level award from the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, at the Aerospace Industries Association Fall Product Support Conference.

Defense Logistics is a cross-Service examination of the issues surrounding logistics strategies and support. Running since 1999, the Defense Logistics Conference has become a set date on the calendars of 650+ logisticians and has proven to be the most influential forum of great logistics minds in the U.S.

A total of 183 production Raptors are currently on contract. The F-22 is built by Lockheed Martin in partnership with Boeing and Pratt & Whitney. Parts and subsystems are provided by 1,000 suppliers in 44 states. The F-22 is the only aircraft that blends supercruise speed, super-agility, stealth and sensor fusion into a single air dominance platform.

Raptors are assigned to six U.S. bases: Edwards AFB, Calif., Nellis AFB, Nev., Tyndall AFB, Fla., Langley AFB, Va., Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, and Holloman AFB, N.M. Raptors will also be based at Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

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Georgia Gulf Announces Closure of Sarnia PVC Resin Plant

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Georgia Gulf Corporation (NYSE: GGC) announced today it is permanently closing its Sarnia, Ontario (Canada) PVC resin plant. The plant had operated only periodically in 2008 due to decreased demand in the housing and construction markets. In response to continued weakening in the markets, Georgia Gulf has made the decision to permanently close the facility, which had the capacity to produce 450 million pounds of PVC resin annually.

“We operated the Sarnia facility as a swing plant with the intention of re-starting production as soon as the markets recovered and demand improved. In light of prevailing market conditions, we have made the difficult decision to permanently close this facility in an effort to better match our supply with the realities of the marketplace,” stated Paul Carrico, President and CEO of Georgia Gulf Corporation.

As a result of the Sarnia PVC resin plant closure, the Company expects to record a non-cash charge of about $50 million in the 4th quarter of 2008. The Company expects the cash costs related to the Sarnia plant closure and other cash restructuring costs incurred in the third and fourth quarters of 2008 to be approximately $12 million. Under the terms of the last credit facility amendment, these charges can be excluded from EBITDA for purposes of Georgia Gulf’s covenant calculations.

About Georgia Gulf

Georgia Gulf Corporation is a leading, integrated North American manufacturer of two chemical lines, chlorovinyls and aromatics, and manufactures vinyl-based building and home improvement products. The Company's vinyl-based building and home improvement products, marketed under Royal Group brands, include window and door profiles, mouldings, siding, pipe and pipe fittings, and deck, fence and rail products. Georgia Gulf, headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, has manufacturing facilities located throughout North America to provide industry-leading service to customers.

Safe Harbor

This news release contains forward-looking statements subject to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's assumptions regarding business conditions, and actual results may be materially different. Risks and uncertainties inherent in these assumptions include, but are not limited to continued compliance with covenants in our credit facility and availability of funds thereunder, future global economic conditions, economic conditions in the industries to which our products are sold, uncertainties regarding competitive conditions, industry production capacity, raw materials and energy costs, uncertainties relating to Royal Group's business and other factors discussed in the Securities and Exchange Commission filings of Georgia Gulf Corporation, including our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

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FedEx Freight, FedEx National LTL Announce General Rate Increase

(BUSINESS WIRE)--FedEx Freight and FedEx National LTL will implement 5.7% general rate increases (GRI) effective January 5, 2009. Both less-than-truckload (LTL) companies are part of the FedEx Freight Corp. operating segment of FedEx Corp. (NYSE:FDX). Rates for other operating companies within FedEx Corp., specifically FedEx Express and FedEx Ground, are not affected.

Delivering approximately 80% of its shipments next-day and second-day, FedEx Freight provides regional LTL service designed for companies operating fast-cycle logistics. FedEx National LTL provides long-haul service, supporting businesses with planned distribution.

“At both FedEx LTL companies, we are committed to supporting our customers’ supply chains by investing in key elements of infrastructure—safe and reliable, EPA compliant equipment; new or expanded facilities in strategic locations; technology enhancements to provide customers with greater shipment visibility; and most importantly, our people,” said Dennie Carey, senior vice president of Marketing, FedEx Freight. “We have a fully engaged workforce in the industry to better serve our customers.”

Since January 2008, FedEx Freight has improved service standards in key markets throughout the U.S., and reduced transit times in more than 3,300 transportation network lanes. The company also streamlined Canadian cross-border processes, enabling next-business-day coverage between major Canadian gateway cities and several regions across the U.S.

Now fully re-branded, FedEx National LTL is operating in expanded facilities in San Bernardino, Calif., Phoenix, Ariz., Decatur, Ala., and Rock Island, Ill. The company is also transitioning from non-decking trailers to units with decking, which reduces the potential for damage to freight.

Customers of both FedEx Freight and FedEx National LTL will benefit from enhanced technology that provides greater shipment tracking information while freight is in transit.

The GRI will apply to interstate and intrastate traffic, as well as certain shipments between the U.S. and Canada and Mexico. Various additional adjustments will include minimum and accessorial charges, as well as adjustments in select lanes and service areas.

After January 5, the new base rate and rules tariffs for FedEx Freight will be available on the company’s Web site, www.fedex.com/us/freight/main/ and new base rates and rules tariffs for FedEx National LTL will be available at http://fedex.com/us/national/main/. Customers may access rate quotes via these sites.

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Detroit Bailout: Many Questions Remain, Says Finance Expert

As the Big Three automakers defend their restructuring plans before Congress this week, finance professor Ray Hill of Emory's Goizueta Business School points out that many Americans remain skeptical that a Detroit bailout is anything more than rewarding a failed status quo.

The automakers are promising that with federal loan help, "they will have gotten out of their health care obligations to retirees, and that they will be able to realize compensation costs savings from new hires," says Hill. "But if you look at their data, it's not clear that, three years from now, they still won't be paying their workers more than the international auto companies operating in the U.S."

"The first question is a question of equity: Why are taxpayers being asked to fund the Big Three autoworkers and not other autoworkers in the U.S.?" asks Hill.

The Big Three project that with government help, "in four or five years they could make cars more or less competitively with other companies that make cars in the United States," says Hill. "The question is why should taxpayers finance four or five years of inefficiency, higher wages and benefits for one segment of the population? Carmakers can project future viability on paper, but is anyone going to want to buy those cars four or five years from now?"

Hill questions the efficacy of GM's proposal to eliminate some lines of business. "When they eliminated Oldsmobile, because of state franchise laws, they had huge financial obligations to franchisees when they tried to exit that line of production. Are we actually going to be putting up money to pay car dealers so that the Big Three can meet their obligations under an antiquated system of selling cars?"

Hill also is critical of the two-fleet system, in which American automakers are not allowed to import into the United States the more fuel-efficient cars they make overseas to help meet current U.S. fuel economy standards. "Are we going to continue to have a two-fleet rule, which makes U.S. auto companies unable to make their fuel economy standards, but does help preserve UAW jobs?"

Hill, who is assistant professor in the practice of finance, is a former investment banker who teaches managerial economics and finance.

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Governor Sonny Perdue’s Remarks to the Georgia Economic Outlook Luncheon

Our nation faces an economic storm that many are calling the most troubling of our generation. And though that may be true, just yesterday, I sat in the chambers of our nation’s first Capitol at Congress Hall and thought about the utter resiliency of our nation, of our people, of America.

During the almost ten years it served as our nation’s capitol building, Congress Hall witnessed many historic events: three states were admitted to the Union under its roof, the Bill of Rights was ratified there in 1791. The second Presidential inauguration of George Washington took place in the House chamber in 1793, as did the inauguration of President John Adams in 1797.

But, I was quickly jolted back to the reality, that while we can learn from history and prepare a vision for the future, we may only act in the present. An old proverb says, “Vision without action is merely a daydream, while action without vision is a nightmare.”

I joined my fellow Governors in Philadelphia for what the media described as states begging for a Washington bailout. Well ladies and gentleman, let me be the first to tell you … the meeting was anything but that.

From Georgia’s perspective, our meeting with President-elect Obama was not intended to ask the federal government to fill a hole in our state budget. As a matter of fact, it was just the opposite. Many Governors shared what we are doing to balance our budgets, and live within our means.

As President-elect Obama considers putting together a stimulus package, we encouraged him to look at our country’s long term needs – investing in projects, not in budgets. Simply doling out money to states to fill budget gaps is no different than handing it out to companies with flawed business models. I believe it is imperative that we ensure that any stimulus avoids creating an undue burden for the future generations who will be left to foot the bill.

I'm sure you've heard T. Boone Pickens decry what he calls the "greatest transfer of wealth in the history of mankind" between America and other countries. But what troubles me, and many of my fellow Governors, is that this bailout fever sweeping through our economy will result in the greatest transfer of debt in America's history to our sons, daughters and grandchildren.

As we wrapped up nearly two hours of open, candid discussion, looking at America’s future from both the federal and state perspective, I am confident that many of my fellow Governors, as well as President-elect Obama, realized how much we all had in common when it comes to getting America back on track.

I was especially encouraged that we were able to put partisanship aside. Everyone in the room recognized that governors must be engaged to ensure that America’s economic health is restored. Despite the bitter campaign that has raged, the spirit in Congress Hall yesterday was one of collaboration, and I was proud to be a part of it.

We talked a lot about the issues we are facing in our own states, but we also took a collective message insisting that the federal government act as we governors are forced to year after year balancing the budget, in good times and in the lean years.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “This time, like all times, is a very good one if we but know what to do with it.” Or, as one of my fellow governors said yesterday, “A crisis is a terrible thing to waste.”

Here in Georgia, we have been and will continue to take a hard look at the ship of state. Any ship at sea is going to pick up some barnacles along the way and at times like these you clean up the ship, making it more responsive and efficient.

Georgia, like other cities and states across America, has been affected by this ebbing tide throughout our national economy. But I can assure you we are plotting a course through rough seas just as we’ve done before, with a ship that is strong and built to last.

Since I have been office, we have made the prudent moves to position our state for growth and prosperity. We kept doing the things that are necessary, but we tightened our belts … Government got leaner, more efficient and more focused on delivering value for the taxpayer dollar.

Most importantly, we did the simple exercise that Georgia families do around the kitchen table every month balancing their checkbooks – we did what we had to do to make ends meet.

After Georgia went through a similar turbulent period six years ago, we spent conservatively and began building a rainy day fund – an action for which we were accused of hoarding money, of not spending enough.

Georgia is a state that has bounced back in the past, and that will continue to bounce back. And once again, we are poised to lead the nation in recovery.

Last year, the Pew Center ranked Georgia one of the best managed states in the nation. So it’s no surprise that Forbes currently ranks our business environment 5th best in the nation … Thanks Steve, we hope to be number one after today’s lunch.

Just recently, Newell Rubbermaid and NCR, both Fortune 500 companies, expanded their headquarters’ operations in Georgia and construction of the Kia plant continues to progress in West Point. And over the past seven years, our OneGeorgia Authority has awarded rural Georgia more than $230 million, resulting in total project investment exceeding $4 billion, while creating more than 40,000 jobs.

This is exactly the kind of investment that results in long-term, sustainable growth and could be a model for the nation.

Now it’s natural that the good things happening in our state are overshadowed in times like these, but I remind you of them today because we have enabled Georgia to weather this economic storm better than many other states.

This year, state revenues are down and probably do not fully reflect the damage from the most recent economic turmoil. But, we will manage this downturn well just like we did six years ago. We will emerge more focused on our basic tasks – leaner and stronger. We will be prepared to take advantage of business looking to invest when the national economy rebounds.

In closing, I would like to share something I read earlier this week about the origins of Thanksgiving.

In 1621, just months after 100 settlers came over on the Mayflower, Plymouth Governor William Bradford set aside a day for thanksgiving. They had sailed across the Atlantic Ocean on a trip that took two months, crammed into an area maybe half the size of your house. That first year; nearly 50 men, women and children died.

Now, let’s look at 1621 and 2008 side by side. In 1621, within a matter of months, nearly every family in that group had lost – not a job, not a big percentage of their 401k, not their house, not their business – but, a loved one. They were scratching out an existence, holding on for dear life, sometimes surviving, sometimes unable to sustain themselves or their families.

In the midst of their trials, Governor Bradford asked his people to be thankful for what they had and for the future that lay in front of them. He led the group with optimism and a hopefulness about the future based on a firm reliance on God.

That is the DNA from which we come … It is that strength of character and confidence from which we can build our future.

In the days ahead, we need – as a people – to recapture that faith and hopefulness. Georgia has been through rough seas and emerged each time stronger than before. Our best days are ahead; and while there will be some tough choices, it is up to us to confidently lay the groundwork that our rebound will be built upon.

Thank you and God bless!
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Big Three Auto Makers Compared To Toyota and Honda by ProCon.org on New Research Website

/PRNewswire/ -- ProCon.org, a nonpartisan 501c3 nonprofit research organization, created the new website bigthreeauto.procon.org to explore the question "Should the Big Three auto makers be bailed out by the US government?"

Pro and con statements addressing this question come from President-Elect Barack Obama, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Nobel Prize winning economists Paul Krugman and Gary Becker, General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner, former US Energy Secretary and US Senator Spencer Abraham, and several others.

Also included on the site are:
-- Chapter 11 bankruptcy laws explained,
-- Contracts between the Big Three and the United Auto Workers,
-- Analysis of "legacy" employees and their impact on profits, and
-- 144-point chart comparing GM, Ford, Chrysler, Big Three combined,
Toyota, and Honda.


Some interesting points from this chart comparison include:


* General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler had a combined US market share of 51.8% in December 2007. As of Oct. 2008, their market share declined by 5.1% to 46.5%. Toyota and Honda, during that same nine-month period, increased their US market shares by 3.1% to a combined 28.4%.

* In 2007, the Big Three sold 18 million autos for $387.5 billion. In 2007, Toyota and Honda sold 12.2 millions cars for $304 billion.

* In the US, the Big Three directly employ 242,000 people and an estimated 2.5 to 3 million indirectly.

* Ford received a $1.29 billion tax refund in 2007 while General Motors paid $37.16 billion in 2007 taxes.

ProCon.org made its Big Three research publicly available for free and without advertising on the website bigthreeauto.procon.org.

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