Foundation Focus
Q3 2025
GEORGIA CHAMBER FOUNDATION
Celebrating Rural Excellence: Honoring the 2025 Rural Award Winners
At the annual Rural Prosperity Summit, the Georgia Chamber Foundation proudly recognized the exceptional leaders and communities advancing innovation, collaboration, and opportunity across rural Georgia. The 2025 Rural Awards honored organizations and individuals whose work exemplifies the spirit of progress and partnership that defines the state’s rural success story.
This year’s Rural Champion Award recipients—Locate South Georgia, the Downtown Development Authority of Madison, and Gina Webb of the OneGeorgia Authority—each demonstrated outstanding leadership in strengthening their local economies and fostering long-term resilience. Through regional collaboration, strategic investment, and community engagement, these honorees have played an integral role in supporting job creation, business growth, and sustainable development in their communities.
The Rural Community of the Year, Blue Ridge–Fannin County, was recognized for its exemplary approach to community and economic development. By leveraging its scenic beauty, vibrant downtown, and collaborative partnerships between local businesses and civic leaders, Blue Ridge has become a model for how small communities can attract visitors, talent, and investment while preserving their unique rural identity.
The Rural Impact Award was presented to Dr. Richard Carvajal, President of Valdosta State University, for his transformative leadership in expanding educational access and workforce pathways across South Georgia. Dr. Carvajal’s commitment to aligning higher education with local economic needs has strengthened talent pipelines, supported regional employers, and inspired students to pursue careers that contribute to their hometown communities.
Together, this year’s honorees embody the Foundation’s mission to champion innovation, collaboration, and opportunity in every corner of the state. Their achievements reflect the strength and creativity found throughout rural Georgia, showcasing what’s possible when business, education, and community leaders work together to drive meaningful progress. To learn more about each of this year’s award recipients, read the press releases for the Rural Champion Award , Rural Community of the Year, and Rural Impact Award
“I am honored and humbled to receive the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Rural Impact Award. At Valdosta State University, we believe that investing in rural Georgia is not just a commitment — it’s a calling.
Dr. Richard Carvajal PRESIDENT, VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY
Foundation Updates
POLICY COMMITTEES & COUNCILS
The Georgia Chamber’s robust network of members continues to advise and guide policy perspectives across a range of issue areas. These committees and councils meet regularly to discuss timely topics, share best practices, and engage with statewide partners and industry experts.
This quarter, most committee and council meetings were held virtually, featuring a range of expert presenters who offered insights on Georgia’s evolving economic landscape. Speakers included Clement Solomon, Division Director of the Intermodal Division at the Georgia Department of Transportation, and Rebecca Francosky, Director of Air Service, Data Analytics, Research & Reporting at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Committees also heard from Tim Denning with the Georgia Research Alliance, the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Legal Reform, and Dr. Roger Tutterow, Professor of Economics at Kennesaw State University.
Work is also underway to finalize leadership appointments and council work plans for the coming year, which will be shared with members in Q4.
For a full list of the Foundation’s committees and councils, and for engagement information, click here
SPECIAL PROJECTS
Global Talent Initiative
The Georgia Chamber recently released a statement calling for meaningful visa reform to protect Georgia’s economic
future and ensure continued workforce growth. The Chamber’s recommendations highlight the need to modernize employment-based visa programs, improve agricultural and seasonal worker access, create year-round guest worker options, and streamline outdated visa processes.
Georgia Chamber President
and CEO
Chris Clark emphasized that long-term labor shortages are slowing business growth across key industries, from agriculture to advanced manufacturing. “Our state is working hard to prepare our students and citizens for new careers,” he noted, “but without meaningful reform to the United States’ visa program, Georgia’s employers will continue to struggle to fill critical roles.”
Through its Global Talent Initiative, the Georgia Chamber and Georgia Chamber Foundation are working with partners, Georgia’s congressional delegation, and federal leaders to drive solutions that strengthen workforce pipelines and sustain Georgia’s economic competitiveness.
Best Place for Working Parents® Georgia Press Release
The Georgia Chamber Foundation continues its partnership with GEEARS to promote Best Place for Working Parents® Georgia, a short self-assessment that helps employers evaluate family-friendly policies and earn a statewide designation. We are also engaging additional partners to advance conversations and solutions around access to childcare across Georgia.
National Civics Bee® - Georgia State
Finals
Preparations are underway for next year’s National Civics Bee® Georgia State Finals, as we continue working with local chambers and partners to inspire civic knowledge and engagement among Georgia’s students.
Clean Tech Career Initiative
Work continues with our partners on the Clean Tech Career Initiative, aligning high-growth career pathways and workforce on-ramps to meet industry demand. A comprehensive report is in development and scheduled for release in 2026.
For more information regarding any of the Georgia Chamber Foundation’s initiatives, contact Daniela Perry at dperry@ gachamber.com
GEORGIA CHAMBER FEDERATION UPDATE
Disaster Resource Center
In response to Hurricane Helene, the Georgia Chamber Foundation launched the Disaster Resource Center to support community preparedness, response, and recovery. The hub is continuously updated with actionable guidance, funding opportunities, and partner resources to help businesses and chambers navigate emergencies. To visit the Disaster Resource Center, click here
Hub Council Legislative Networking Breakfast
The Georgia Chamber’s Hub Council Legislative Networking Breakfast brought together Chamber executives from across the state’s regional hub communities for
a morning of collaboration and connection ahead of the annual Congressional Luncheon in Columbus.
The breakfast provided an invaluable opportunity for local chamber leaders to engage directly with peers, Georgia Chamber leadership, and attending policymakers in a setting designed to foster meaningful dialogue. By creating space for these conversations, the Chamber continues to strengthen relationships among Georgia’s regional business leaders and reinforce the collective voice of the state’s hub communities in shaping policy priorities that drive economic growth and competitiveness.
Federation Briefings
The Georgia Chamber Federation also continued its series of calls designed to keep local chambers informed and engaged on key policy and programmatic priorities. Recent discussions have focused on community preparedness and workforce participation, underscoring the Chamber’s commitment to equipping local leaders with practical tools and timely insights.
In one recent session, Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark shared updates on the Foundation’s disaster preparedness initiatives and distributed a Disaster Preparedness Checklist to help chambers strengthen their local response plans. Another featured Hanah Goldberg, Director of Research & Policy at GEEARS: Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students, who presented new data showing the economic impact of childcare challenges in Georgia. Goldberg’s findings highlighted that nearly seven in ten young children in Georgia have all parents in the workforce, yet the cost of infant care now exceeds instate college tuition—creating barriers for working parents and local businesses alike.
GEORGIA CHAMBER FOUNDATION EVENTS
Trustee Luncheon & Briefing –July 16
The Georgia Chamber Foundation hosted its third quarterly Trustee Luncheon & Briefing of the year, focusing on The Future of Georgia’s Energy. Georgia Power President and CEO and 2025 Foundation Chair Kim Greene opened the program with remarks on the Chamber’s GEORGIA|2050 initiative and the importance of collaboration among utilities, cooperatives, and policymakers in meeting the state’s growing energy needs.
Following her remarks, attendees heard a thoughtful presentation from Dr. David Gattie, Associate Professor of Engineering and Senior Fellow with the UGA Center for International Trade and Security, on Georgia’s evolving energy landscape and opportunities for continued innovation. A panel discussion moderated by Dr. Gattie featured Annalisa Bloodworth (Oglethorpe Power), Kim Greene (Georgia Power), and Dr. Tim Lieuwen (Georgia Institute of Technology), who explored infrastructure advancements, emerging technologies, and strategies to ensure Georgia’s energy remains reliable, resilient, and affordable for decades to come.
Daniela
Shaundra
