Governor Signs Bill Capping Taxes on Energy for Manufactures

Today Governor Sonny Perdue signed legislation capping the sales tax on energy used in the manufacturing process. HB 272 provides a cap for certain energy prices over which no additional state sales and use tax will be paid by manufacturers. Commodities subject to this partial exemption include natural gas, No. 2 fuel oil, No. 6 fuel oil, propane, petroleum coke, coal and the fuel cost recovery charge component of retail electricity rates.

“This bill continues to support Georgia industries as they work to compete in an ever-more competitive market,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “As energy prices continue to rise, we will ensure that our manufacturers can continue to grow their businesses and create more jobs for Georgians.”

Governor Perdue first announced his support for HB 272 at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs and Issues Breakfast in January.

“This bill will help protect our manufacturing jobs in this state, and I’m glad to see it come to fruition,” said Rep. Jeff Lewis. “It gives Georgia a competitive advantage in providing Georgians long-term opportunities.”

Governor Perdue also signed HB 237 enacting the "Integrated Plant Theory" and SB 359 recognizing goods and products manufactured in Georgia.

SB 359 requires the Georgia Department of Economic Development to create a “Made in Georgia” label in order to showcase and promote goods and products manufactured in Georgia informing Georgians of the state’s diverse manufacturing sector. The bill also provides educational outreach tools to bring the science of manufacturing in the classroom and emphasize the significant contributions Georgia companies make to the economy and quality of life in Georgia.

HB 237, the “Integrated Plant Theory,” expands the allowable sales and use tax exemption for machinery and equipment used in the manufacturing process. Industries using the following equipment in the manufacturing process are affected by the exemption expansion: material-handling equipment/racking systems used for conveyance and storage of tangible personal property in certain circumstances; aircraft engine remanufacturers; and air or water pollution reduction systems.

“The Georgia Chamber of Commerce would like to extend our great appreciation to Governor Perdue for signing three very important initiatives that will make Georgia an even friendlier environment for manufacturers,” said George Israel, Georgia Chamber of Commerce President & CEO. “As Georgia companies face record-high energy costs and fierce global competition, the Governor has shown he recognizes the pressure businesses are currently facing. By signing this legislation Governor Perdue has showcased the importance of keeping jobs in Georgia and encouraging the retention and growth of companies in this state.”

For more information on this legislation, please visit www.legis.state.ga.us.

UPS Places Largest Order Ever for Hybrid Electric Trucks

BUSINESS WIRE--UPS (NYSE: UPS) today announced it has ordered 200 hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) – the largest commercial order of such trucks by any company – in addition to another 300 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles for its U.S. delivery fleet.

The purchase of the 500 additional vehicles means the UPS alternative fuel fleet – already the largest such private fleet in the United States -- will grow 30 percent from 1,718 to 2,218 low-carbon vehicles.

“Alternative fuel research and development is just one of the ways that UPS is mitigating climate change risks,” said Bob Stoffel, UPS’s corporate sustainability officer. “We also are focused on aggressive conservation programs and improving network efficiency to cut fuel use.”

UPS’s “green fleet” operates in the United States, Germany, France, Brazil, Canada, Mexico and the United Kingdom and has traveled nearly 144 million miles since 2000. The fleet includes electric, hybrid electric, CNG, liquefied natural gas and propane-powered vehicles. The company also is continuing work with the Environmental Protection Agency on a hydraulic hybrid delivery vehicle.

“UPS has been utilizing alternative fuel vehicles for more than 70 years and is clearly the industry leader in hybrid electric and CNG vehicle purchases,” said Robert Hall, director of UPS’s ground fleet. “At UPS, it’s very important to us to demonstrate our commitment with action, which is why we have the largest private ‘green’ fleet in the industry. And both CNG and HEV vehicles provide substantial reductions in carbon emissions, which supports our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment.”

The 200 hybrid electric vehicles will be deployed in 2009 and join 50 HEV delivery trucks already in operation. The 200 trucks are expected to save 176,000 gallons of fuel annually and reduce CO2 emissions by 1,786 metric tons each year. That is the equivalent of removing almost 100 conventional UPS trucks from the road for a year.

The HEV’s hybrid power system allows UPS to save on fuel and pollution-causing emissions. A battery pack, motor/generator and power control system are added, which allow electric power to be fed into the powertrain when conditions demand it, providing further savings.

The HEVs also use what is known as regenerative braking, meaning the energy produced in stopping the moving vehicle is captured and returned to the battery system as electrical energy. The efficient, computer-controlled combination of clean diesel power, electric power and regenerative braking produces dramatic improvements in fuel savings and emissions reductions.

The 300 CNG vehicles will be deployed later this year and join more than 800 such vehicles already in use in the United States. CNG vehicles run on natural gas, a cost-effective, clean-burning and readily available fuel. These vehicles are expected to yield a 20 percent reduction in emissions over the cleanest diesel engines available today.

The CNG/HEV vehicle order follows the April 2008 deployment of 167 new CNG vehicles in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Ontario, San Ramon, Fresno and Sacramento. In addition, UPS added 50 next-generation hybrid electric delivery trucks in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston and Phoenix in May 2007.

The chassis for the CNG and HEV trucks are being purchased from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, with Eaton Corporation supplying the hybrid power system for the HEVs. The truck bodies are identical externally to the signature-brown trucks that now comprise the UPS fleet with additional script markings that will identify them as CNG and HEV vehicles.

UPS (NYSE:UPS) pursues a wide range of socially responsible and sustainable business practices designed to reduce our impact on the environment and improve communities around the world. UPS is included in the Dow Jones and FTSE4Good Sustainability Indexes, which evaluate corporations based on economic, environmental and social criteria. Learn more about UPS's responsible business practices at sustainability.ups.com.

Kroger Expands Its Generic Drug Discount Programs

BB Note: Hats off to these large corporations for this marketing plan to help in reducing some drug costs. As both of the major players in the article are found locally, we thought you'd enjoy learning more.

Kroger Co. says it won't be left in Wal-Mart's dust. It's upgrading its $4 generic drug program to meet the latest changes in Wal-Mart's program.....

By Truman Lewis
ConsumerAffairs.com

Read the entire article at: http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/05/supermarkets_rx02.html

SBA Holding Public Relations Workshop At the Fayette County Public Library

A free workshop on developing a Winning Public Relations Plan will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on June 5th at the Fayette County Public Library. The workshop is presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration in cooperation with the Fayette County Public Library System.

The two hour workshop will be loaded with tips on how to write a winning PR Plan. The workshop will focus on the eight elements of developing an effective PR plan.

Pre-registration is required for the workshop. To register online, go to www.sba.gov/ga and cursor down to Spotlight-Public Training and Seminars-Register Now! Select seminar date from the drop down list. Complete relevant information and click “Register.” A registration form can be faxed to 404/331-0101 or call Dorothy Fletcher at 404/331-0100, ext. 305.

The workshop will be conducted by Kisha R. Cameron, President & CEO of the People Brokers, LLC.

The Fayette County Library is located at 1821 Heritage Parkway, Fayetteville, GA 30214. the phone number is 770/461-8841.

Georgia Boosts Incentives for Entertainment Industry

Governor Sonny Perdue today (May 12, 2008) signed into law the 2008 Entertainment Industry Investment Act (HB 1100), new legislation designed to encourage entertainment industry productions in Georgia. The signing ceremony took place at the studios of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), where the Governor was joined by Phil Kent, chairman and CEO of TBS, Inc., and over 100 attendees including legislators, industry leaders and members of the entertainment industry.

“We know that our excellent talent base and outstanding locations make Georgia a very desirable place to film,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This legislation puts in place the economic cornerstone that will encourage producers to convert that desire into action.”

The 2008 Entertainment Industry Investment Act reinforces and strengthens Georgia’s position within the entertainment industry. The new, more competitive incentives replace those currently in use by offering a 20 percent tax credit for qualified productions, which are then eligible for an additional 10 percent tax credit if they include an animated Georgia promotional logo within the finished product.

The incentives apply not only to qualified films, TV series, commercials and music videos, but also to video game productions. The economic impact of all these entertainment segments in Georgia was $413 million in 2007.

“We’re proud of this legislation; alot of the credit goes to Governor Perdue for setting up the film commission,” said Rep. Butch Parrish, a sponsor of the legislation. “I think this bill will jump start the Georgia film industry.”

“This new incentive allows Georgia to once again compete for an industry we used to be famous for,” said Sen. Mitch Seabaugh. “It will be a catalyst that will spur immediate economic investment and create jobs. Georgia will once again be on center stage where it belongs.”

“The new incentives will put Georgia among the top five states in the U.S. in terms of financial competitiveness for entertainment projects,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). “We expect to see an increase in the number of industry jobs and overall economic impact for the state in the coming years.”

The state has seen success in the past with competitive incentives. The 2005 Entertainment Industry Investment Act (HB 539), signed by Governor Perdue in 2005, led to a record-setting economic impact in 2006 when film, television and video game companies contributed $475 million to Georgia’s economy, up from $124 million in 2004. The total economic impact of entertainment productions from 2005 through 2007 has been over $1.17 billion, due in large part to Georgia’s entertainment incentives. Since then, however, film activity in the state has decreased as other states, regions and nations boosted their competitive packages.

“The 2008 Entertainment Industry Investment Act (HB 1100) will return Georgia to its rightful place of prominence in all major entertainment industry segments,” stated Bill Thompson, deputy commissioner of the Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Office, a division of GDEcD. “We expect a significant increase in film and television projects, and Georgia will be the most competitive state in the country for video game productions.

Georgia is one of the few states whose entertainment incentives support the video game industry.”

Governor Perdue was joined at the event by Sen.Greg Goggans, who carried the legislation in the Senate, Rep. Ron Stephens, and Rep. Rich Golick.

“House Bill 1100 is a key piece to the puzzle in sustaining Georgia's entertainment industry for the long haul,” said Ric Reitz, an actor and producer from Atlanta. “It will provide many new jobs for Georgians, improve the state's entertainment infrastructure, and grow Georgia's indigenous companies.”

The Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Office, formerly known as the Film, Video and Music Office, conducts extensive business development, sales, marketing and promotional activities in order to attract entertainment projects and businesses to the state. The office also assists the local, national and international entertainment industries with information, expertise and resources. The staff points movie production companies to Georgia’s highly-trained crews, state-of-the-art facilities, and diverse locations. Georgia’s temperate climate and easy access afforded by Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport are also factors that attract the industry’s interest.

Georgia has been investing in the entertainment industry for over 35 years. Since the inception of the Georgia Film Commission in 1973, more than 575 major motion pictures, independent films, television series and pilots, and TV movies have filmed on location in the state. As a result, over $5 billion has been generated for the state’s economy. Georgia’s music industry continues to thrive with an economic impact of $1.97 billion in 2007. Movies were first produced in Georgia as early as 1912, and have continued without interruption during every decade since then.

Governor Perdue to Participate in Groundbreaking Ceremony for Kumho Tire Company

Today (May 12, 2008) Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for Korean tire manufacturer Kumho Tire Co., Inc. The company will locate its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Macon. The new plant will create 450 jobs and $225 million in investment, including a second phase expansion.

“I am pleased to welcome Kumho Tire as they officially break ground and become part of the Bibb County community,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Georgia is perfectly positioned to allow an industry leader such as Kumho to thrive and succeed, creating hundreds of new jobs for our citizens.”

Governor Perdue met with Kumho executives in Korea during his Asian trade mission last October just weeks after hosting company officials in Atlanta in August. The company, based in Gwangju, Korea, plans to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Sofkee Industrial Park in south Bibb County. The building will be 1.3 million square feet on 127 acres at the industrial park. Kumho Tire is expected to begin production in October 2009.

This new facility will enable Kumho Tire to increase supply to U.S. automotive manufacturing sectors and further expand in the North American market.

Kumho Tire opened a new distribution center in Henry County in the spring of 2007. The strategic location just off of I-75 south of Atlanta helps Kumho efficiently serve their large network of independent tire distributors and installers across Georgia and the southeast.

Kumho Tire was founded in 1960 and has grown to become one of the top 10 tire manufacturers in the world. Its products include ultra high performance tires for the automotive market and for motor sports. Kumho’s focus on technology and providing excellent customer service has made it a top brand in the world of automotive tires.

UPS Freight Accelerates Shipping for Customers in 11 States

BUSINESS WIRE--UPS Freight (NYSE: UPS) today announced it has reduced transit times on nearly 1,000 traffic lanes originating in metropolitan areas in the Southwest and Southeast to points across the United States.

Transit times have been reduced by one or two days from points in 11 states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. The customer improvements are being made without adjusting rates.

The latest round of enhancements follow the more than 8,000 lanes that were improved nationwide by the company in 2007.

“UPS Freight is on a path to create a combination of reliability, technology and speed that no other competitor can match,” said Jack Holmes, president of UPS Freight. “We are aggressively rolling out improvements in all areas of the business to keep pace with the evolving needs of our customers. This latest round of lane enhancements comes on the heels of a new on-time performance guarantee and freshly integrated shipping and visibility technology.”

Similar network improvements, in a phased plan, will be made throughout other regions of the country later this year. Specific lane enhancements and updated time-in-transit maps may be viewed on ltl.upsfreight.com.

Examples of the network enhancements include placing all of New England under a two-day delivery umbrella from Memphis, Tenn., and shipments from Charlotte, N.C., reaching destinations as far as Dallas and Columbia, Mo., in two days.

“There are clear customer benefits here,” Holmes added. “The expedited times allow customers to reduce the inventories they’re carrying. And the introduction of more direct routes also means that less handling of the freight is required.”

UPS Freight is one of the largest less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers and a leading truckload (TL) service provider in the United States with over 215 service centers and 18,400 employees. UPS Freight’s reliable, modern fleet of approximately 29,000 tractors and trailers offers a full range of regional and long-haul capabilities and an on-time delivery guarantee for all LTL shipments. UPS Freight also serves Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. For more information visit upsfreight.com.

SBA’s Patriot Express Loan Offers Significant Small Business Ownership Opportunities for Nation’s Military Spouses

As the nation celebrates National Military Spouse Day, the U.S. Small Business Administration reminds military families that the Patriot Express loan initiative is up and running and available to help them start or build a small business.

In the ten months since its launch, Patriot Express has produced 1,304 guaranteed loans amounting to more than $135 million, with an average loan amount of nearly $104,000. Nearly 15 percent of those loans have gone to military spouses.

Patriot Express is available to military community members including veterans, service-disabled veterans, service members leaving active duty, Reservists and National Guard members, current spouses of any of the above, spouses of active duty members, and the widowed spouse of a service member who died during service, or of a service-connected disability.

Every year since Ronald Reagan first proclaimed Military Spouse Day in 1984, we pay special tribute to the husbands and wives who support their spouses in America’s Armed Forces,” said SBA Deputy Administrator Jovita Carranza. “Patriot Express is helping America’s military spouses, and many others in our military community, start or expand their small business. We are proud to be able to serve those who have given so much to our country.”

The Patriot Express initiative builds on the more than $1 billion in loans SBA guarantees annually for veteran-owned businesses, and the counseling assistance and procurement support it provides each year to more than 100,000 veterans, service-disabled veterans and Reserve members.

Patriot Express is a streamlined loan product based on the agency’s highly successful SBA Express Program, but with enhanced guaranty and interest rate characteristics.

Loans are available up to $500,000 and qualify for SBA’s maximum guaranty of up to 85 percent for loans of $150,000 or less and up to 75 percent for loans over $150,000 up to $500,000. For loans above $350,000, lenders are required to secure all available collateral to back the loan and may obtain collateral for smaller loans depending upon individual bank requirements.

Interest rate maximums for Patriot Express loans are the same as those for regular 7(a) loans: a maximum of Prime + 2.25 percent for maturities under seven years; Prime + 2.75 percent for seven years or more. Interest rates can be higher by two percent for loans of $25,000 or less; and one percent for loans between $25,000 and $50,000.

The Patriot Express Pilot Loan Initiative can be used for most business purposes. Details on the initiative can be found at www.sba.gov/patriotexpress.

Patriot Express loans have been approved in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and Guam and currently range from $5,000 to $375,000 in individual loan amounts. After loan applications are approved by the bank, they are submitted to SBA for approval. Most applications are approved by SBA within 24 hours.

List of Approved Patriot Express Lenders http://www.sba.gov/idc/groups/public/documents/sba_program_office/bank_high_paatriotexpress_06.xls

Stites & Harbison Attorneys Named One of Top Trademark Firms

Stites & Harbison Attorneys has been named one of the "Top Trademark Firms" in the United States by Intellectual Property Today magazine. Stites & Harbison increased trademark registrations by 16.6 percent from 2006 to 2007, which resulted in a ranking of 48th of 328 firms.

Stites & Harbison’s Intellectual Property and Technology Group counsels clients on matters relating to domestic and international intellectual property issues and assists them in securing and protecting domestic and international trademarks. Stites & Harbison, PLLC, (www.stites.com) is a regional business and litigation firm with attorneys eight offices in five states, including Atlanta.

Georgia ramps up international marketing efforts

As the nation observes Invest in America Week, Georgia is stepping up its efforts on the global stage with a new international business center in China, a new alliance with Canadian provinces and a successful string of international business missions.

“We truly are in a global marketplace and as a state, Georgia is continuing to reach out to market our opportunities abroad,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). “I commend the team at Invest in America for supporting our efforts to attract international trade and investment to our state and the U.S. as a whole.”

As the inaugural Invest in America week concludes today, state leaders recognize how crucial international relationships are to helping Georgia grow. A part of the federal International Trade Administration, Invest in America helps promote trade and investment, strengthens industry competitiveness and ensures fair trade.

Georgia’s staff at home and abroad has been successful in developing more leads for international trade and investment. Its 11 international offices generated 40 percent more leads between July 2007 and April 2008 than the same period a year before, and its international trade division saw a 104 percent jump in leads during that period.

With that in mind, GDEcD is redoubling its international marketing efforts.

In April, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue wrapped up a successful mission to China. During the trip, Gov. Perdue opened the state’s new business center in Beijing, made business calls and welcomed a Chinese high-tech company to Atlanta.

This week, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle was in Brazil, calling on businesses and forging important relationships with a key trading partner. Last week Commissioner Stewart traveled to Europe to call on businesses.

In June, Savannah will host the inaugural Southeastern United States-Canadian Provinces Alliance (SEUS-Canada) meeting, which is expected to draw 500 participants from various business sectors, chambers of commerce, and government, including state governors, provincial premiers and ambassadors. The alliance is modeled on SEUS-Japan, a successful, decades-long partnership among eight southeastern states and Japan.

In August, Atlanta will again play host to the Americas Competitiveness Forum. The conference focuses on workforce development, innovation, small business development and global supply chain strategies. More than 1,000 representatives from government, academia, non-profits and the business world converged on Atlanta for the inaugural ACF in 2007 and this year’s session will continue to promote strategies for prosperity in the Western hemisphere.

GDEcD won special recognition for its exporting efforts last year when President George W. Bush gave the department the prestigious E-Star award, the federal government’s highest award for excellence in exporting. The state is also wrapping up its first year of four for the Global Georgia initiative, which markets Georgia abroad.

Invest in America is the primary U.S. Government mechanism to manage foreign direct investment promotion. Efforts are focused on outreach to foreign governments and investors, support for state governments’ investment promotion efforts, and addressing business climate concerns by serving as ombudsman in Washington for the international investment community.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.