House sends airplane parts bill to governor
ATLANTA — Companies that repair airplanes won’t have to worry about out-of-state customers paying sales tax on the parts if Gov. Nathan Deal signs a bill that passed the legislature Thursday.
The bill, according to sponsor Rep. Alex Atwood, R-Brunswick, makes the tax exemption permanent.
It had been due to expire in July, but several citizens’ commissions on job creation have recommended making the exemption permanent.
Companies like Gulfstream Aerospace in Brunswick and Savannah and Standard Aero in Augusta are big players in an industry that’s grown about 8 percent in Georgia, according to Georgia State University.
The school estimates the state will give up as much as $23 million in sales taxes, but Atwood argues the state would lose most of that revenue — and related jobs — because airlane owners would fly to neighboring states that offer the exemption.
Georgia jobless rate falls to 7.1 percent
ATLANTA — Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased to 7.1 percent in February, down two-tenths of a percentage point from 7.3 percent in January, the Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday. The rate was 8.5 percent in February a year ago.
“The rate dropped in February because Georgia employers created nearly 7,000 new jobs and reduced the number of new layoffs more than 30 percent,” said Labor Commissioner Mark Butler.
The number of jobs increased to 4,036,700 in February, up by 6,600, or 0.2 percent, from 4,030,100 in January. The job gains came in the state-operated public schools, 4,500; professional and business services, 3,800; construction, 3,400; education and health services, 1,500; and manufacturing, 1,000. Losses came mostly in trade, transportation, and warehousing, 7,200.
Attorney to discuss key issues facing business owners
Savannah SCORE will present a business lecture by Savannah attorney Howard Spiva titled “Adding L-I-F-E To Your Business” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the SCORE conference room, 111 E. Liberty St.
The presentation is free, but attendees are asked to bring a lunch. RSVP by calling 912-652-4335.
Spiva’s presentation will highlight key issues facing all business owners who desire to produce the best product or service possible while ensuring their businesses survive the early turbulent years.
He will offer strategies covering asset protection, tax savings, business entity structures and wealth preservation.
SCORE is a national non-profit organization which, together with the Small Business Assistance Corp., offers free mentoring to entrepreneurs in both start-up and established businesses.