Foundation Focus
Q1 2025
GEORGIA CHAMBER FOUNDATION
Investing in the Future: Rural Workforce Preparedness Grant Equips Georgia’s Students for Success
When the Georgia Chamber Foundation launched the Rural Workforce Preparedness Grant in partnership with the Georgia Department of Education’s Office of Rural Education and Innovation (REI) and the Office of Career, Technical and Agriculture Education, the goal was clear: to provide rural students with the tools and experiences needed to prepare for the careers of tomorrow. A year later, the initiative has proven to be a game-changer, giving students hands-on learning opportunities that bridge the gap between education and industry needs.
Through strategic funding and local partnerships, the grant supported school districts in implementing career-readiness programs tailored to their regional employment opportunities. Students gained direct exposure to high-demand
fields and training opportunities which equipped them with in-demand skills and with the tools necessary to plan for their career path.
A teacher at Baconton Community Charter School, praised the program’s impact, stating, “A major takeaway is the overwhelming enthusiasm and sense of possibility this opportunity has ignited among our students, our school, and our community. This program is not only equipping students with the skills needed for a successful career but is also inspiring a sense of purpose and hope, making a lasting impact on their futures.”
This project is just one example of how proactive partnership strategies are fueling workforce development in Georgia’s rural communities. By aligning educa -
tional resources with regional opportunities, the Foundation continues to support a strong pipeline of talent, ensuring rural students have opportunities to succeed close to home.
With continued investment and collaboration, the impact of the Rural Workforce Preparedness Grant will extend beyond the classroom—empowering the next generation of Georgia’s workforce and strengthening communities across the state.
To learn more about how the Georgia Chamber Foundation is driving economic growth and supporting businesses and communities across the state, read our 2024 Annual Report here . To explore the full report on the Rural Workforce Preparedness Grant , visit here
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A major takeaway is the overwhelming enthusiasm and sense of possibility this opportunity has ignited among our students, our school, and our community. This program is not only equipping students with the skills needed for a successful career but is also inspiring a sense of purpose and hope, making a lasting impact on their futures.
Grant Recipient AT BACONTON COMMUNITY CHARTER SCHOOL
How Georgia’s Economic Competitiveness Redbook Supports Policymaking
Senator Billy Hickman has made the Georgia Chamber Foundation’s Economic Competitiveness Redbook a staple in his legislative work. As a business leader and state senator, he relies on the Redbook’s data and forecasts to inform critical policy decisions that impact Georgia’s economic growth.
“As a State Senator, I believe that presenting accurate statistics is crucial in helping my constituents better understand the issues that impact our communities. Resources like the Redbook help ground policy discussions in concrete numbers. Rather than speaking broadly about issues, I use focused data to clarify key points. It’s one thing to talk about an issue like poverty, but it’s another to demonstrate it with facts, such as highlighting that almost 1 in 5 people in my district live in poverty. Access to well-researched statistics ensures that conversations are based on facts, helping me better understand challenges and potential solutions,” he shared, emphasizing the Redbook’s role in shaping discussions around workforce
“ Resources like the Redbook help ground policy discussions in concrete numbers.
Senator Billy Hickman
GEORGIA
STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 4
development, infrastructure, and business competitiveness.
Senator Hickman references the Redbook on a weekly basis, keeping copies readily available in both his Atlanta and district offices. By leveraging its insights, he ensures that legislative strategies align with economic trends and business needs.
The Economic Competitiveness Redbook is designed to provide business leaders and policymakers with a comprehensive overview of Georgia’s economic standing, key industry trends, and projections for the future. The 2025 edition, released in January, continues to serve as a roadmap for decision-makers navigating today’s evolving economy.
Beyond the Redbook, the Georgia Chamber Foundation also publishes quarterly reports that dive deeper into critical topics shaping Georgia’s economy. These reports offer timely analysis, providing an additional layer of insight for those looking to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. Many business leaders and chamber of commerce professionals also rely on the Redbook, often sharing its insights with their stakeholders to guide strategic discussions and decision-making.
To explore the 2025 Economic Competitiveness Redbook and our latest quarterly reports, visit here.
Foundation Updates
POLICY COMMITTEES & COUNCILS
The Georgia Chamber’s robust network of members includes a wide range of professionals who advise and guide policy perspectives. These policy committees and councils meet quarterly to discuss timely and relevant issues, network, and engage with statewide agencies and business community professionals.
This quarter, our policy council members convened at the Georgia State Capitol to meet with Georgia legislators advancing issues in priority policy areas. Members were able to hear directly from elected officials and agency leaders on issues including accessible childcare, disaster recovery, regulatory climates, talent advancement and legal reform.
For a full list of the Foundation’s committees and councils, and for engagement information, click here
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Best Place for Working Parents® Georgia
The Georgia Chamber Foundation is excited to partner with the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students (GEEARS) to bring Best Place for Working Parents to Georgia. Best Place offers all employers in the state of Georgia a short self-assessment for the opportunity to be a designated ‘Best Place for Working Parents.’ This nationally recognized designation offers an additional tool for recruitment, and to assess your workplace environment compared to like-organizations.
To complete the assessment for your business, click here.
National Civics Bee® - Georgia State Finals
The Georgia Chamber Foundation is partnering with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and 8 local chambers of commerce across Georgia to host a nonpartisan statewide civics competition. The Georgia State Finals will be held at the Carter Center in Atlanta, GA on June 27, 2025. Click here to learn more.
Clean Tech Career Initiative
As Georgia’s economy evolves, clean tech has become a growing facet of industry operations, along with a growing demand for skilled talent. The Georgia Chamber Foundation recently launched a two-year initiative to identify high-propensity and high-growth careers in the clean tech space, as well as to develop and align career pathway on-ramps for individuals in the state. This employer-driven effort will bolster the network of clean tech workforce initiatives in the state and assist in identifying talent gaps and opportunities. Click here to learn more.
For more information regarding any of the Georgia Chamber Foundation’s initiatives, contact Tiffany Holmes at tholmes@gachamber.com
GEORGIA CHAMBER FEDERATION UPDATE
Hub Day at the Capitol
The Hub Chamber Council convened for their annual Capitol breakfast and briefings, meeting with delegates and members to discuss issues affecting Georgia’s regional metropolitans. Visit the Hub Council page, here , to learn more.
Rural Day at the Capitol
The Georgia Chamber Federation hosted Rural Day at the Capitol in partnership with the Georgia Agribusiness Council. Rural stakeholders from across the state joined us at the Georgia Freight Depot. Event photos can be found here
GEORGIA CHAMBER FOUNDATION EVENTS
Future of Talent Summit
On February 19, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2025 Future of Talent Summit, with the theme “Reimagining Education and Talent Development.” The 2025 Future of Talent Summit was cohosted with the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. The Rialto Center for the Arts was the venue for the Summit.
Speakers at the Future of Talent Summit included University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue, and Georgia’s leading education and economic development experts. A full event review including a list of speakers, panels, and moderators is available here.
Trustee Luncheon & Briefing
On March 12, the Georgia Chamber Foundation hosted its first quarterly Trustee Luncheon & Briefing of the year. Trustees heard from Georgia Chamber President and CEO, Chris Clark, and from panelists to discuss the expansion and improvement of access to high quality healthcare. Panelists included Commissioner of the Department of Community Health, Russel Carlson, President and CEO of the Georgia Hospital Association, Caylee Noggle and President and CEO of Anthem Inc., Robert Bunch.
Foundation Updates
RECENT PUBLICATIONS
2024 Foundation Annual Report REPORT | PRESS RELEASE
2025 Economic Competitiveness Redbook REPORT | PRESS RELEASE
Q1 Quarterly Economic Report 2025 – Supporting Healthy Communities REPORT
Tariff Briefings:
APRIL 3 | New U.S. Tariffs + Potential Georgia Impact
APRIL 11 | The Impact of U.S.–China Trade Conflict On Georgia’s Business Community
APRIL 16 | Guidance & Advice on Tariffs and Trade Regulations
Foundation Briefings:
JANUARY 29 | Georgia’s Roadmap to Remaining Competitive
FEBRUARY 13 Employees, and the Introduction of Best Place for Working Parents
FEBRUARY 26 Year Comparison
MARCH 12 | 2025 Release of Nation’s Report Card Scores Shows Little to No Improvement in National Student Math and Reading Scores
MARCH 26 | Addressing Demographic Shifts in Georgia’s Healthcare Industry
UPCOMING Q2 EVENTS
MAY 1 | Future of Energy & Sustainability
JUNE 18 | Future of Small Business
JUNE 27 | National Civics Bee® - Georgia State Finals
