January 2026 Features

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Bush Wealth Management Names Courtney Gooding Partner, Chief Operations Officer

  January 21, 2026

  Bush Wealth Management announced this week that Courtney Gooding, previously serving as partner and chief compliance officer, has transitioned into a new role as partner, chief operations officer.

• 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.

• 6th Annual South Georgia Healthcare Summit Announced

  January 14, 2026

  The 6th Annual South Georgia Healthcare Summit will take place on February 10th, at the UGA Conference Center in Tifton, bringing together educators, healthcare employers, students, and community partners to strengthen the healthcare workforce across rural South Georgia.

• 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.

• SGMC Health Names Hilary Willis Executive Director of Foundation

  January 12, 2026

  SGMC Health announces the promotion of Hilary Willis to Executive Director of the SGMC Health Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the health system. In this role, Willis will oversee the Foundation’s strategy, stewardship, and community partnerships, driving philanthropic investments that fuel patient care, innovation, and access across the region.

• 2026 Lowndes County Bird Supper Tickets on Sale Now

  January 09, 2026

  Tickets are on sale for the 2026 Lowndes County Bird Supper, scheduled for Wednesday, February 11th. The traditional event, sponsored by the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners and the City of Valdosta, brings together hundreds of state officials, local businesses, and professional and government personnel for a quail dinner and meaningful conversations.

• SGMC Health Hosts 5th Annual Glow Golf Tournament for Men's Health

  January 08, 2026

  The SGMC Health Foundation will host the 5th annual Glow on the Green Golf Tournament on Friday, March 6th, at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club. This signature fundraising event combines the excitement of night golf with an important mission: raising awareness for men’s health.

• 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.

• WIN Regional College and Career Academy Launches Search for CEO

  January 06, 2026

  The WIN (Workforce Innovation Network) Regional College and Career Academy Board of Directors is moving forward with a search for a Chief Executive Officer. The CEO will provide strategic leadership for all aspects of WIN CCA, overseeing the development and delivery of high-quality educational programs and services.

• 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.

• Georgia Marks 50 Years of Clean, Reliable Nuclear Energy

  January 05, 2026

  For more than 50 years, nuclear energy has played a critical role in Georgia’s energy mix – currently providing approximately 25% of the state’s electricity each year from just two nuclear plants: Plant Hatch near Vidalia and Plant Vogtle near Augusta.