Gov. Deal cites Medient Studios in record job creation numbers
Medient Studios, Inc. has been named as a project of regional significance in a statement released by Gov. Nathan Deal on Friday.
Medient is building a $90 million movie production and entertainment complex on 1,600 acres at Old River Road in Effingham County.
Deal announced a list of 13 projects in the state that helped lead the Global Commerce Division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development in producing a 10 percent increase in job creation during fiscal year 2013.
“These outstanding results indicate that Georgia is already perceived by companies large and small as the No. 1 place for business,” said Deal. “But we will not rest on those laurels. We will continue to cultivate a healthy, resourceful business environment that will attract the corporate expansion activity so important to providing greater opportunities for our citizens.”
Of the total projects, 66 percent were the expansion of existing businesses that have had major investment or job creation in Georgia and 34 percent of the projects were from companies investing in Georgia for the first time.
The International Trade Division of the global commerce division also experienced a record fiscal year by serving 21 percent more companies than in the previous fiscal year, totaling 1,346 companies. The trade division assisted companies in most Georgia counties, resulting in 420 deals that were valued at more than $35 million in FY13, a 35 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.
Other businesses listed as having regional impact include Engineered Floors, LLC, a $450 million manufacturer locating in Whitfield County, the expansion of Chapparal Boats in Berrien County, Hostess Brands, LLC in Muscogee County, State Farm in Dekalb County, General Motors in Fulton County, Mando in Meriwether County, Airwatch in Fulton County, Tyson Foods, Inc. in Terrell County, Ethicon Inc. in Clarke County, voestalpine Europlatinen GmbH, an automotive company in Bartow County, and an expansion of US Pet Nutrition in Toombs County.
Traveling this week?
Shop best gas prices
CHICAGO — It’s no secret that many of us plan on driving to Christmas & New Year’s gatherings, but those who know where to fill up stand to reap the best savings.
In a recent analysis of retail gasoline prices across multiple types of providers, GasBuddy finds that ‘wholesale clubs’ (i.e., Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s Wholesale Club) offer the greatest savings versus other competing gasoline sellers in the area. The wholesale clubs’ price advantage for 2013 represents a differential of 11 cents per gallon versus other local stations.
“It’s important with millions of Americans hitting the road for Christmas to give them tips on where they are likely to find the most savings at the pump,” says Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. “We’re pleased to share the findings on price trends across retail categories and hope that our reminder will help motorists keep more of their money in their pocket.”
“Of course, consumers have to pay an annual fee to have the ‘wholesale club’ savings available to them. But, for those who decline participation in wholesale clubs, the large grocery chains represent the next best option,” says Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com.
In 2013, consumers who opted for the large grocery chains saved approximately 6 cents per gallon compared to prices at their local competitors. These include stores such as: Fred Meyer, Smith’s, Safeway, Stop & Shop Supermarket, Kroger, Murphy USA, Murphy Express, and Food Bag.
Truck stops like Flying J and Pilot saved consumers nearly 4 cents per gallon versus their nearest retail competitors.
GasBuddy operates over 250 similar websites that track gasoline prices at over 140,000 gasoline stations in the United States and Canada.