May 11, 2008 – Cox News Svc., Atlanta Journal-Constitution   
State farmers see little effect in subsidy bill
Gerry Shih reports that in Tifton last week, Don Koehler, director of the Georgia Peanut Commission, finished some work on his farm and went inside to digest the news from Capitol Hill about tighter limits for agriculture subsidies. Congress had announced that it had completed a $286 billion farm bill with a lower income limit for subsidy recipients, ending months of negotiations dramatically overshadowed by veto threats from President Bush and media scrutiny at a time of worldwide anxiety over record food prices.

May 11, 2008 – Chattanooga Times Free Press   
Midyear Georgia agricultural survey planned
Staff reports that the U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to know how many acres of each type of crop will be planted in Georgia this year. There have been many variables, officials have said, that affected farm operators’ judgment in deciding what or whether to plant. Last year’s late freeze destroyed thousands of acres of corn, wiped out fruit crops and stunted other produce. The blistering drought parched replanted corn, withered soybeans and even hay would not grow.

May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Business Chronicle   
Report: Northwest and Delta pilots set to meet
Staff reports that pilots from Northwest Airlines and Delta Air Lines said they plan to meet next week to discuss a joint contract, according to a Dow Jones Newswires report. Pilots from Eagan, Minn.-based Northwest Airlines Corp. (NYSE: NWA) and Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines Inc. (NYSE: DAL) had previously said they were unable to agree on a contract because of seniority ranking. The two airlines announced their intention to merge in April.

May 11, 2008 – Global Atlanta.com   
Atlanta-Born Tour Operator Builds Bridges to Brazil
Trevor Williams reports that Georgia travelers looking to tap into Brazil’s vast natural beauty or economic potential need not fear a lack of Southern hospitality in the South American nation. Joseph Walker, an Atlanta native and still a self-proclaimed “Georgia boy,” flew south of the equator four years ago to help business and leisure groups navigate one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.

May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal Constitution   
Facility Group's fast rise hits big obstacle
Bill Torpy reports that in 1986, Robert Moultrie opened a food facility engineering firm with five employees and a big ambition. By 2008, Facility Group had morphed into a well-oiled building machine with nearly 450 employees overseeing construction of jails, schools, courthouses and industrial plants. It has nearly doubled in size since 2006 alone, billing nearly $440 million a year. But in March, the company's reputation took a hit when a judge in Mississippi unsealed a federal corruption indictment against Moultrie, his firm and two other Facility Group officials.

May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal-Constitution   
Home Depot weighs its Olympic role
Rachel Tobin Ramos reports that there are weight lifters, wrestlers, runners and rowers. Cyclists, pole vaulters, fencers and boxers. Archers, kayakers, sprinters and water polo players. And don't forget the tae kwon do and judo fighters. In all, some 137 athletes work at the Home Depot part time and train the rest of the time as Olympic hopefuls. But as these athletes attempt to make the U.S. Olympic team that will compete this summer in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Home Depot is pondering whether to keep the program.

May 11, 2008 – Valdosta Daily Times   
Valdosta Daily Times growing despite tough times
Kay Harris reports that the Valdosta Daily Times has continued to grow its circulation even during tough economic times, according to figures released by ABC, or Audit Bureau of Circulations, the official monitoring service for newspapers.

May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Business Chronicle   
Simmons green bedding collection now at JCPenney
Staff reports that Simmons Bedding Co. has partnered with JCPenney to offer sweet, but green, dreams. The Atlanta-based bedding products company's new Natural Care by Danny Seo line of latex mattresses will soon be available at select JCPenney stores and online at jcp.com. The new line is a "green" bedding collection, which features natural, biodegradable and renewable components such as natural rubber tree based latex and a layer of base foam enhanced with soy.

May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Journal-Constitution   
What can Brown do? Ship an ancient Chinese army
Rachel Tobin Ramos reports that the S.W.A.T. team doesn't normally greet UPS cargo shipments in Ontario, Calif., a regional hub for the world's largest shipping company. But this was no ordinary shipment. This was precious cargo —- priceless really —- originally meant to protect Chinese Emperor Qin when he was buried in 209-210 B.C. But this week, it was UPS that protected the cargo —- known as the terra cotta army —- as it traveled from Shanghai to Anchorage, Alaska (where it cleared customs), then to Ontario.  The deal was struck by Atlanta's High Museum, UPS spokesman Norman Black said.

May 11, 2008 – Rome News-Tribune   
The future is now: Otis Raybon named publisher of Rome News-Tribune
Charlotte Atkins reports that News Publishing Co., Rome News-Tribune’s parent corporation, is making some key changes in leadership — to make sure that both the print and electronic editions of all of its newspapers reach new heights and to position itself as a go-to company in the industry. Burgett H. Mooney III, NPCo president, has named Otis M. Raybon Jr. as publisher of the Rome News-Tribune, effective today.

May 11, 2008 – Augusta Chronicle   
As postal rates rise, electronic marketing looks better
Tim Rausch reports As postal rates continue to inch upward, it places the question into business owners' minds: What really needs to go out with the mail? Legal notices, health insurance statements or tax documents will still need the mail, said Thomas Harpointner, the chief executive of Atlanta-based AIS Media. But the higher postal rates get, he said, the more a trend advances for smaller businesses going electronic for its marketing and day-to-day business operations.

May 11, 2008 – Atlanta Business Chronicle   
Chip Lacy leaves EarthLink board
Staff reports that long-time EarthLink Inc. board member is retiring as two others have been added. The Atlanta-based Internet service provider (NASDAQ: ELNK) reported the retirement of Linwood "Chip" Lacy, who served on the board of EarthLink and its predecessor EarthLink Network since 1996. He was chairperson of the Leadership and Compensation Committee since 2000. EarthLink also named Susan D. Bowick and David Koretz to the board.

May 11, 2008 – Cherokee Tribune   
New housing starts droop in April in Cherokee
Ashley Fuller reports that after a month of growth, housing starts in Cherokee County tumbled in April and experts say an upward trend likely is months away. The number of new houses under construction in the county continues to trail well behind last year's pace. County and city building departments issued 108 single-family housing permits in April, down from 123 permits issued in March and 206 issued in April of last year.

May 11, 2008 – Global Atlanta.com   
Israel Chamber to Hold Annual Dinner at Delta Headquarters
Phil Bolton reports that the American-Israel Chamber of Commerce is to hold its 7th annual Eagle Star Awards Gala on Wednesday, May 14, at the headquarters of Delta Air Lines Inc. from 6-9 p.m. The keynote speaker is to be Edward Bastian, Delta’s president and chief financial officer. Delta launched its first Atlanta-Tel Aviv, Israel, flight in 2005.

May 11, 2008 – Gwinnett Daily Post   
AT&T Classic searches for identity
Alex P. Joyner reports that the AT&T Classic won't be played next year - well, technically. Sure, a professional tournament will likely continue in 2009 at the prodigious TPC at Sugarloaf in Duluth. But it's anyones guess as to what corporation will assume the title sponsorship role now that AT&T will no longer lead the event once a winner is crowned - weather permitting - next Sunday.

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