Hunter becomes Georgia Press Association Executive Director

Jaillene Hunter has succeeded Robin Rhodes as executive director of Georgia Press Association (GPA). Rhodes will continue working through a transition period and will continue to represent GPA at the state legislature on issues important to the newspaper industry.

Jaillene Hunter

Hunter joins GPA after a career working in communications at the state and federal government levels. She was press secretary for Rep. Max Burns and Rep. Dave Weldon in Washington, D.C., and then served as communications director for Georgia Lieutenant Gov. Casey Cagle, working on issues such as transportation, economic development, government spending, health care and education. Since then she has worked on communications strategies and initiatives for state government, small businesses, legislative initiatives and nonprofits.

Rep. Buddy Carter of Georgia joins growing list of co-sponsors of bill supporting local newspapers and businesses

Eight additional legislators — on both sides of the aisle — have signed on as co-sponsors of the Community News & Small Business Support Act (HR 4756). The act was introduced in the 118^th Congress by Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) and Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-1), both members of the Ways and Means Committee.

The bipartisan legislation supports two institutions critical to sustaining hometown communities: local news organizations and small businesses. The act makes refundable tax credits available to local newspapers to reinvest in professional journalists who cover local news topics.

The act also makes non-refundable tax credits available to local businesses that advertise with local newspapers, providing an additional stimulus to the local economy.

“Thank you to for supporting this important legislation,” said Dean Ridings, CEO of America’s Newspapers. “On behalf of the members of America’s Newspapers, we appreciate your support of local community newspapers and Main Street businesses. The Community News & Small Business Support Act is a big win for local communities. More local reporting means more access to the hometown news citizens rely on. And stronger newspapers mean stronger advertising vehicles for local businesses.”

Click here to learn more about the Community News and Small Business Support Act!