Gambling in the stock market and paying off higher-interest loans is the way some homeowners may be using the mortgage payments they’ve not had to pay during the pandemic, according to a report released Thursday by the Atlanta Fed.
Tag: covid-19
Posted inColumns
Mental health, isolation: Explorations with an academic, choreographer, student leader
Mental health – a survey new in June shows 50 percent of American adults say they feel isolated, and happiness is at a 50-year low. Three leaders met in a virtual town hall to share thoughts on these issues and more – Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera, renowned choreographer Bill T. Jones, and Tech student leader – and artist – Mykala Sinclair.
Posted inColumns
Negative wealth effect + isolation: How reduced socialization could worsen a pandemic recession
By Guest Columnist BOB WILLIS, CEO, Willis Investment Counsel
For decades, I have maintained a professional diary of my thinking as chief investment officer for an investment management firm located north of Atlanta. Earlier this spring, when the pandemic led to safety precautions at our office, I headed to my mountain cabin to work remotely – which stimulated more thought and reflection, and a lot of writing. Bear with me as I reveal a few excerpts from back then, and now.
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As Georgians debate state’s heritage, executive hired to market tourist destinations
Georgia’s tourism economy was responsible in 2018 for nearly 500,000 jobs and total spending of $37 billion in communities both urban and rural. The state has named a new tourism director to oversee the growth and development of this sector of Georgia’s economy.
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Community development in era of social reform amid pandemic, police actions
“This is a sad day. We have another name to add to the roles. His name is Rayshard Brooks…. Another unarmed black man shot by police.” With these words, a Saturday morning virtual conversation about community development grew into one about effecting sweeping social change.
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Federal law enforcement funds flow to Atlanta as police reform talks take shape
Atlanta is on track to formally accept a total of $1.8 million from two federal law enforcement agencies, following votes taken Tuesday in one committee of the Atlanta City Council.
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Georgia Hispanic Chamber names interim president to lead in turbulent times
The Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has named a former UPS executive as its interim president.
Posted inSean Keenan
Experts: Emergency response needed to combat “tsunami” of upcoming evictions
The heavyweights of metro Atlanta’s housing field say now is the time to brace for a torrent of evictions in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis.
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Georgia Research Alliance – funder of life-saving research – turns 30
Thirty years ago – on June 6, 1990 – the inaugural board meeting of the Georgia Research Alliance took place – a pivotal moment for universities, the state and businesses.
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Report: Metro Atlanta COVID-19 data shows 63 percent uptick in new cases since week prior
The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) recently launched a tracker that takes stock of the movements of COVID-19, the disease spread by the novel coronavirus, each week.
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Amid pandemic, Atlanta Housing chipping away at 24,000-person waitlist
Stacked with more than 24,000 people, the waitlist for voucher assistance from Atlanta’s housing authority is still plenty daunting, but Atlanta Housing (AH) officials — during a viral pandemic, no less — are still chipping away at the long roster.
Posted inSean Keenan
Atlanta missed the mark during the protests, but police and demonstrators can learn from the turmoil
Where we go from here remains uncertain, but there’s something comforting and promising about the prospect of an APD officer ditching their riot shield and gas mask and tear gas grenades to wield instead a picket sign emblazoned with “Black Lives Matter.” Until then, though, the morbid song of squad car sirens and clicking handcuffs shall ring too loud.
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COVID-19 upends election planning; Fulton polling places drop out
Fulton’s election office is fighting virus-fuelled fires
Posted inColumns
Rural Georgia at risk of falling behind amid philanthropic pandemic relief efforts
Rural Georgia is at risk of getting left even further behind the state’s populated regions amid the pandemic. One key factor is that many philanthropies won’t donate to local groups that can’t produce audited statements and IRS designations. Bambi Hayes-Brown is seeing it first hand in Southwest Georgia.
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Buckhead baby clothier sells $500 million in notes to secure finances amid pandemic
Carter’s, the Buckhead-based clothier for babies and children, has sold $500 million in senior unsecured notes that are to help the company comply with debt covenants, according to corporate financial reports.
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Fulton County again bumps residential eviction proceedings amid pandemic
On Wednesday, the Magistrate Court of Fulton County once again suspended, among other matters, residential eviction proceedings, a blessing for people whose living situations have been put in jeopardy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Puerto Rico says ‘Thanks’ for help after Hurricane Maria with donation of fresh food
Debt-laden Puerto Rico has delivered 16,000 pounds of fresh produce to expatriots and Hispanics who reside in New York City. The donation represents a ‘Thank you’ for help received after Hurricane Maria crippled Puerto Rico.
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Atlanta arts organizations receive $580,000 in grants
The Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta – through its Metropolitan Atlanta Arts Fund – announced a total of $580,000 in grants to 11 metro arts organizations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Atlanta Ballet’s new head of advancement joins in the midst of COVID-19 pandemic
Mary Grace Herrington, a fundraising executive with a deep media background, is the new chief advancement officer for the Atlanta Ballet.
Posted inColumns
Reopening metro Atlanta’s economy safely: Google offers data to inform decisions
Google has made public a treasure trove of never-before-seen proprietary data that could help decision makers reopen the economy safely in metro Atlanta. Google’s report shows changes in categories of places people visit – whether they’re going to work, buy groceries or walk the dog, and so forth.
