Latest news with #Marietta-based
Time Business News
5 days ago
- Health
- Time Business News
Retirement in 2025: Which States Are Meeting the Needs of Aging Americans?
As more Americans transition into retirement, the question of where to spend later life has grown increasingly complex. The answer lies not just in weather or lifestyle, but in affordability, healthcare access, and long-term care infrastructure. A new analysis from Marietta-based law firm Jones & Swanson reveals sharp divides across U.S. states in their readiness to support aging populations, spotlighting both top performers and critical gaps. Florida Remains a Retirement Favorite, but Other States Take the Lead in Healthcare Florida continues to dominate the conversation around retirement destinations. With no state income tax and a long-established support system for older residents, it remains appealing for active seniors. Yet when comparing nursing home affordability, healthcare infrastructure, and elder support programs, states like Minnesota and Wisconsin outperform Florida in key categories. Minnesota was recognized for its high-quality healthcare network and effective statewide policies that prioritize older adults. The average monthly cost of nursing home care in the state may exceed the national median, but residents benefit from better staffing ratios and clinical outcomes. Wisconsin also ranks well, offering lower-than-average costs paired with a strong rural healthcare presence that makes long-term support more accessible outside major cities. The Northeast Delivers on Medical Access, but Expenses Run High Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut earned top scores in hospital rankings, physician availability, and preventive care efforts. These states have made significant investments in elder wellness programs, helping seniors stay mobile and engaged. However, the financial burden in these states can be heavy. In Massachusetts, for example, private nursing home costs frequently top $13,000 per month, making long-term affordability a major concern. Rhode Island balances coastal appeal with manageable population density, and though care quality remains high, housing and daily living expenses continue to rise. Retirees without supplemental coverage or savings could find these states challenging despite their top-tier services. Southern and Western States Show Room for Improvement States in the Deep South, including Mississippi and Alabama, scored poorly in the study's healthcare and long-term care categories. Staffing shortages, aging facilities, and limited state-sponsored programs have created gaps that make these areas less attractive for retirees in need of care. While living costs in these states remain low, access to consistent and high-quality eldercare is often limited, particularly in rural regions. Western states like Nevada and New Mexico also face hurdles. Nevada struggles with disparities in healthcare access between urban and rural communities. Long-term care expenses are rising, and senior services outside Las Vegas remain patchy. New Mexico ranked lowest in the overall readiness index due to high crime rates, low healthcare quality scores, and insufficient eldercare infrastructure. Data-Driven Insights Help Guide Retirement Decisions Jones & Swanson's report used multiple factors to evaluate each state's readiness for retirees, including: Median monthly nursing home costs Healthcare system capacity and hospital density Crime rates impacting senior communities Access to state-funded senior programs Housing affordability and local cost of living Climate stability and weather resilience Quality of life ratings based on social and recreational access States like Iowa, Utah, and Nebraska emerged as strong contenders, with reasonable costs and well-developed support networks. These regions may not traditionally top retirement lists, but their consistent performance across financial and care-related metrics makes them compelling alternatives for retirees prioritizing affordability and safety. Planning for Retirement Requires More Than Sunshine According to Jones & Swanson, the shift toward data-based retirement planning reflects growing awareness of the risks associated with aging. While scenic appeal and warm weather continue to influence decisions, the cost and quality of healthcare are increasingly driving where Americans choose to settle. Retirement should be a time of rest, purpose, and community. For that to happen, states must invest in systems that support aging populations. As this report shows, some are far ahead, while others have catching up to do. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$2.4 billion development with nearly 3,000 homes proposed for Bartow County
Plans to build thousands of new residential units, a hotel and more were sent to state officials for review. Marietta-based developer Willoughby Investments is proposing the creation of a new $2.4 billion community in Bartow County called Grand Etowah. If the proposal is approved, it would include an 80-room hotel, 2,950 residential units, 50,000 square feet of retail space and would be completed by 2035. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Georgia Supreme Court makes ruling on changes to elections Deadly crash shuts down I-75 NB lanes in Cobb County Atlanta nonprofit pivots after losing federal grant The property, located on Howell Road in Bartow County, would generate an estimated $7.8 million in annual tax revenue, according to filings with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs Developments of Regional Impact database. County records show the development location is nearly 650 acres, split on three lots of rural woodland. The project also estimates a daily traffic trip impact of 18,032 new trips per day and 1,605 at peak travel times. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Marietta stone product manufacturer cited by USDOL for safety issues, to pay $120,000 in penalties
The U.S. Department of Labor said it was citing a Marietta-based stone product manufacturer for safety violations and ordering it to pay $120,000 in penalties. According to a USDOL announcement, Art Stone-Granite & Marble Inc. in Marietta was investigated in April 2024 for safety violations and health issues. Five months later, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the company for two repeat violations and 13 serious violations, with OSHA saying the company had not provided workers with protection against hazards like silica dust and occupational-related noise. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: Burned body found at Stone Mountain Park Henry County changing alert system after warnings didn't go out in time for tornado touchdown 'It was startling': Buckhead couple detail finding starving dog that led to R&B singer's arrest Now, USDOL said the company had failed to administer the hearing conservation and respiratory protection programs it needed to and was levying penalties in addition to ordering corrective actions be taken. "The company will pay $120,000 in penalties, take action to correct the hazardous conditions, and put steps in place to prevent recurrence," USDOL said. In response to Channel 2 Action News, an Art Stone-Granite & Marble spokesman said in part that the health and safety of employees has always been their top priority and they are "currently working through the citation and appeal process, we remain committed to full cooperation with OSHA and to implementing any improvements necessary to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for our team." The company also said they had previously raised concerns about the testing methods from a 2023 inspection but had not gotten a clear answer in response. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Axios
13-05-2025
- General
- Axios
Project uses tree rings to determine age of historic Atlanta buildings
A metro Atlanta nonprofit is teaming up with college students to find the exact age of historic buildings using a unique area of study. Why it matters: While historical documents may say a building was constructed in a certain year, the wood used to create the structure could tell us a different story. Driving the news: Cobb Landmarks is using dendrochronology — the study of tree rings — to pinpoint when wood for metro Atlanta buildings was harvested for construction. What they're saying: Trevor Beemon, Cobb Landmarks' executive director, told Axios they are partnering with University of West Georgia students who, under the guidance of two professors, will take 12 to 15 samples from structures around metro Atlanta. Buildings in the study include the William Root House, Power-Jackson Cabin and Brumby Hall in Cobb County, Mimosa Hall in Roswell and several buildings in Atlanta's South Downtown neighborhood. "This is an opportunity for us to partner with science to help make sure that the history that we're sharing is as accurate as possible," Beemon said. Zoom in: Bryan Capps Jr., project manager for South Downtown, said samples will be taken from about three dozen buildings that are undergoing structural rehabilitation and stabilization. The partnership is "really the one chance" South Downtown has to learn about these buildings before they are redeveloped, Capps said. The intrigue: Throughout the process, Capps said, they've noticed that many buildings have been "stitched together" with cosmetic fixes over the years, including finding missing walls and plenty of windows that were bricked over. Beemon said there's a theory that part of the Root House, a Marietta-based museum managed by Cobb Landmarks that documents life in the mid-19th century, was built before the official established date of 1845. "It's already a significant structure, but it could be even more significant if it predates 1845," he said. "That would make it really one of the oldest structures in Marietta." The bottom line: Capps said the project could debunk misconceptions that Atlanta was reduced to ashes during Gen. William T. Sherman's March to the Sea.
