January 2026 Features

• Republican State House Leaders Unveil Plan To Abolish Homeowner Property Taxes

  January 30, 2026

  Republicans in Georgia’s state House say they want to take steps to erase homeowner property taxes this legislative session, which is getting underway ahead of an election cycle seemingly dominated by concerns about the cost of living.

• Charge Forward Georgia: A New Gateway to EV Jobs & Training

  January 30, 2026

  The electric vehicle industry is booming in Georgia with major manufacturers like Hyundai, Kia and Rivian establishing and expanding operations across the Peach State. To support this growth, a new resource -- Charge Forward Georgia -- has launched as a one-stop hub for students, EV jobseekers, and employers.

• US CEOs Signal Major Rebound in Dealmaking Confidence as M&A Intent Soars

  January 30, 2026

  After a period of relative caution, US business leaders are entering 2026 with a renewed appetite for growth through acquisition. According to the latest EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey, 62% of US CEOs plan to actively pursue mergers and acquisitions over the next 12 months. This represents a significant 27-percentage-point surge from the 35% recorded in September 2025.

• Popular & Political Support Growing For Ban On Cellphones In Georgia High Schools

  January 29, 2026

  Georgia high school sophomores are looking ever more likely to lose their phones during the school day in their senior year, as lawmakers consider expanding a ban on personal devices.

• Resistance to Data Centers Fuels Flood of Georgia Bills Targeting the Industry

  January 28, 2026

  Anger and opposition to the rapid rise of data centers across Georgia has led to a surge of bills that would clamp down on the resource-consuming industry.

• Taste Makers: The Chefs Of Columbus Are Redefining Southern Dining

  January 27, 2026

  Columbus, Georgia, is earning national attention as one of the South’s most compelling up-and-coming food cities, thanks to a dynamic group of chefs, restaurateurs and culinary innovators who are reshaping the region’s dining expectations.

• Georgia Ports’ Blue Ridge Connector 95% Complete

  January 26, 2026

  Construction on the Blue Ridge Connector is now 95 percent complete. Georgia Ports’ latest addition to its inland rail network will open for operation later this year.

• AG Chris Carr Warns of Price Gouging & Other Scams During Winter Storms

  January 26, 2026

  Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is warning Georgians to be on the lookout for possible scams and price gouging in anticipation of the winter storm that is impacting North Georgia, Metro Atlanta and parts of Central Georgia.

• Investing in Teachers, Transforming Lives: Buntin Schools of Excellence Launches at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary

  January 23, 2026

  The Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation (MEEF), in partnership with the Muscogee County School District (MCSD), today announced the launch of the Buntin Schools of Excellence initiative during a news conference held at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School, the first participating school in the program.

• Gov. Kemp Declares State of Emergency, Activates State Operations Center Ahead of Winter Storm

  January 23, 2026

  Governor Brian P. Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency ahead of Winter Storm Fern's impact on the state this weekend. The Governor also directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center and mobilize any needed resources to address any potential needs around the state.

• Regional Prosperity Initiative Launches "Columbus Ahead" Strategy to Drive Regional Growth Through 2030

  January 22, 2026

  Today, the Regional Prosperity Initiative officially launched "Columbus Ahead," a comprehensive regional strategy designed to guide the community’s growth from 2026 through 2030.

• Georgia’s Economy Is Growing—The 2026 Redbook Shows What Comes Next

  January 22, 2026

  The Georgia Chamber Foundation published the 2026 Economic Competitiveness Redbook (Redbook), the most comprehensive collection of statewide economic data and the Foundation’s annual capstone project.

• Georgia Power Teams Prepared to Respond to Winter Storm Fern

  January 22, 2026

  As Winter Storm Fern brings subfreezing temperatures to the state this weekend, as well as the potential for significant snow and ice, Georgia Power is encouraging customers to take steps now to prepare and stay safe and warm. The company is preparing as well, with crews across the state engaged and ready to safely and quickly respond to potential damage from the storm and restore service for customers.

• Governor Kemp to Lead Economic Development Mission to Belgium & United Kingdom

  January 21, 2026

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that he and First Lady Marty Kemp will lead an international mission this week to reinforce economic relationships in Belgium and the United Kingdom.

• Atlanta Retains Crown as World’s Busiest Airport 2025 While Dubai Gains Ground

  January 20, 2026

  OAG, the leading data platform for the global travel industry, today released its annual ranking of the World’s Busiest Airports for 2025, based on scheduled airline capacity.

• Stuart Countess Transitions to 2026 Chair of the Georgia Chamber

  January 16, 2026

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast, held Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, convened more than 3,000 business and civic leaders from across the state for one of Georgia’s largest and most influential policy events.

• CEO Confidence Improves in Q4 2025 as Leaders Adjust to a New Operating Reality

  January 16, 2026

  Confidence among small and midsize business CEO's saw significant gains in the fourth quarter of 2025 as leaders grew more comfortable operating in ongoing economic uncertainty, according to the latest CEO Confidence Index from Vistage, a CEO coaching and peer advisory organization.

• Gov. Kemp Announces Affordability, Infrastructure & Workforce Priorities at Eggs and Issues

  January 15, 2026

  Governor Brian Kemp delivered the closing address at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs and Issues legislative event, announcing a number of his top legislative and budgetary priorities for the 2026 session of the General Assembly.

• Pinnacle CEO Kevin Blair & Executive Leaders Ring Opening Bell at New York Stock Exchange

  January 14, 2026

  Pinnacle Financial Partners President and CEO Kevin Blair rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell Tuesday with his executive leadership team, Pinnacle Founder and Board Chair Terry Turner and former Pinnacle CFO Harold Carpenter. The event marks the closing of the firm’s merger with Synovus Financial Corp. and its new NYSE listing.

• Some Things New Amid All That Is Old Under the Gold Dome in Atlanta

  January 14, 2026

  When Georgia lawmakers return to Atlanta for the new legislative session, they will proceed to their weathered wooden desks, and if they are observant, they will notice something new.

• Delta to Add Boeing 787 Dreamliner to Widebody Fleet

  January 14, 2026

  Delta will add 30 new Boeing 787 Dreamliner widebody aircraft as it continues to refresh and streamline its fleet while improving fuel efficiency and providing a world-class in-flight experience.

• Georgia General Assembly Kicks Off ’26 Session Focused on Affordability & Taxes

  January 13, 2026

  Lawmakers, lobbyists and protesters swarmed to the Georgia Capitol on Monday, the first day of the annual legislative session in a crucial election year.

• Georgia Unemployment Rate Remains Below National Average at 3.5%

  January 08, 2026

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia’s unemployment rate for November was 3.5%, up slightly from a revised 3.4% in September. November’s unemployment rate remained 1.1 percentage points below the national unemployment rate.

• ‘The Ripple Effect:’ TEDxColumbusStateU Brings ‘Ideas Worth Sharing’ to the Stage on Jan. 15

  January 06, 2026

  TEDx is coming to the Columbus State University campus on January 15th, bringing with it the TEDx philosophy of “ideas worth spreading.” The event will feature a specially selected slate of speakers who will share the perspectives they’ve gained through their professional expertise, personal successes and failures, and community involvement.

• New Laws Will Address Professional Services, Homeowner Protections, Car Owners & Politicians

  January 06, 2026

  Most new laws from this year’s legislative session took effect in July, but a handful of significant bills become law on New Year’s day.