AGP Executive Report

Power and Data Centers: Georgia Power secured a $26.5 billion federal loan, which the utility says could save customers $7.3 billion over 30 years; about $25 million is earmarked to modernize Plant Oliver in Columbus. Manufacturing: Hyundai plans to expand its West Point factory, adding 320 jobs, while an affiliate’s $560 million Georgia expansion includes a new plant. Tesla has also opened its first East Coast Semi Megacharger in Conley. Atlanta Tech: Flock Safety plans to cut about 270 jobs, or 18% of its workforce, amid growing scrutiny of its surveillance products. Agriculture: Georgia’s agri-food exports reached $1.4 billion through September, up 10% year over year. Business Conditions: The National Bank of Georgia reported rising non-performing loans across hospitality, construction, manufacturing and health care over the past three years.

Energy & Utilities: Georgia and Alabama Power secured federal loans to modernize Plant Oliver, with projected savings of more than $7 billion for customers over 30 years. Georgia’s rising data-center demand is also helping keep the Western Hemisphere’s largest coal plant running, sharpening questions about grid capacity. Manufacturing: Hyundai plans to expand its West Point factory, adding 320 jobs; a related $560 million affiliate expansion includes a new plant. Tesla has opened its first East Coast Semi Megacharger in Conley. Ports & Logistics: The Port of Savannah reported record cargo volumes in September, while Georgia Southern won a state energy grant for grid-resilience work. Farmers & Workforce: Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state gas-tax suspension through Nov. 5, citing relief for farmers. Georgia technical-college graduates also posted record job placement. Infrastructure: A $3 billion natural-gas pipeline project extending from Mississippi to Augusta faces a lawsuit alleging federal agencies allowed environmental rules to be bypassed.

Data Center Oversight: Georgia regulators fined VoltaGrid and Serverfarm a combined $42,500 for starting work on gas-powered generators in Newton County without required permits. They can continue construction under stricter emissions limits. Port and Logistics: The Port of Savannah reported record cargo volumes in September, a sign of strong activity for one of Georgia’s key trade gateways. Energy and Transport: Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state gas-tax suspension through Nov. 5 and waived penalties for off-road dyed-diesel use, offering relief to farmers, truckers and businesses facing high fuel costs. Innovation and Infrastructure: Duracell opened a global research and development center in Midtown Atlanta, while Georgia Southern received a state energy grant for a project focused on GIS and grid resilience.

Agriculture & Transport: Gov. Brian Kemp extended Georgia’s gas-tax suspension through Nov. 5 and waived penalties for off-road dyed-diesel use, offering relief to farmers and truckers facing high fuel costs. Madison County’s beef sector also stands out: its 19,000-head cow herd ranks sixth statewide, while its calves sent to market rank first. Data Centers & Energy: Georgia fined two companies over data-center and power-plant permit violations, while Augusta finalized rules for data-center development. Ports: The Port of Savannah recorded its busiest September for cargo, underscoring strong demand across the state’s logistics network. Manufacturing: Pirelli plans to expand its Georgia tire plant as it invests more than $1 billion in U.S. production. Tourism: Georgia set a fourth consecutive annual tourism record, welcoming 175.6 million visitors.

Transit & City Planning: A new opinion argues Atlanta’s Beltline needs modern light rail to scale with growth and deliver predictable, low-cost service, criticizing repeated transit shortfalls since the Beltline TAD push. AI & Free Speech/Child Safety: A federal appeals ruling on AI-generated child sexual abuse images is sparking debate over how First Amendment rules apply, while noting the case may still involve serious criminal exposure. Energy for Data Centers: Google signed a major power deal with Constellation Energy for 3.6 GW, including 890 MW of nuclear, as demand from AI data centers keeps reshaping Georgia-area power planning. Robotics & Manufacturing: Boston Dynamics named former Amazon AI leader Rohit Prasad CEO, as Hyundai plans to deploy Atlas robots at its Georgia plant starting in 2028. Elections & Governance: Georgia’s governor debate spotlighted election oversight and data-center growth, with candidates clashing on voting access and a proposed moratorium. Public Works/Environment: Tybee Island beach renourishment impacts are highlighted as barrier-island sand loss continues amid development and shipping channels.

Custody Shake-Up for RIAs: Fidelity told RIAs to hit a $100M custodial minimum by June 30, 2027 or move—prompting experts to urge firms to pressure custodians on fees, commitments, and exit plans. BioLab Aftermath: A Georgia Tech study tied the BioLab fire plume to bromine (not just chlorine), and it adds fuel to a wrongful-death lawsuit alleging chemical exposure contributed to a supervisor’s death. Fuel Relief for Truckers/Farmers: Gov. Kemp amended Georgia’s emergency order to waive penalties for dyed off-road diesel use and extend relief through Nov. 5, after suspending the state motor fuel excise tax. Food Safety Alerts: USDA/FSIS flagged illegally imported canned chicken Vienna-style sausages from Jamaica for consumers to discard/return; FDA also expanded frozen berry recalls over possible E. coli, including Walmart and Trader Joe’s items sold in Georgia. Energy & Data Centers: FERC-approved 500 miles of Mississippi-to-Georgia pipeline work is headed to court as a lawsuit challenges projected gas demand tied to data centers; meanwhile, new forecasts say U.S. electricity demand could surge to record highs by 2027 driven by AI data centers. Public Safety Crackdown: Federal prosecutors indicted 20 people in Atlanta tied to the GoodFellas gang, alleging gun trafficking tied to theft of nearly 1,500 firearms from shipping facilities in Conley and Macon. Local Infrastructure: DeKalb County approved the pre-construction phase of Dunwoody High School’s Seacrest Stadium, a community-funded $1.5M upgrade slated to open for the 2027-28 season.

Roadless Forest Fight: A new push from the USDA to change protections for roadless areas in national forests is drawing fresh attention from Georgia advocates, since the state has about 63,000 acres of inventoried roadless land in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Local Public Lands Management: A proposal to shift day-to-day control of Colorado’s Maroon Bells from the U.S. Forest Service to Pitkin County is raising alarms about what “local control” could mean for long-term public access. Solar Manufacturing Race: Georgia-based solar supply chain players are watching the U.S. race toward tandem solar panels that could boost output by 25% and challenge China’s dominance. Food Safety: Walmart and Trader Joe’s expanded frozen-berry recalls tied to potential E. coli contamination, with specific UPCs and lot codes urging shoppers to check and return affected items. Nuclear Power for AI: Google is reportedly nearing a $1bn-plus nuclear power deal with Constellation, with Georgia Power’s Vogtle and Hatch upgrades already in the mix. Georgia Business Hiring: Coleman Company in coastal Georgia hired Hali Brown as Marketing Coordinator to expand its marketing team. Aviation/Logistics: Walmart’s drone delivery program is expanding to metro Atlanta via Wing, aiming for under-five-minute drops. Construction Workforce Policy: Israel will stop private recruitment of Sri Lankan and Indian construction workers through agencies starting Jan. 1, 2027, while allowing recruitment from an approved country list that includes Georgia.

Hospitality & Film Production: SCAD finished an 11-acre Savannah backlot with working sets and soundstages, aiming to cut location costs for students and attract more film/TV/commercial work. Politics & Civic Life: Atlanta News First will host Georgia gubernatorial and U.S. Senate debates this week, with statewide broadcast and pre/post programming. Aviation & Travel: Southwest plans new 2027 international routes from Austin, including Savannah service, plus more summer domestic additions. Food & Consumer Safety: PepsiCo recalled 122,000+ cases of Gatorade (28-ounce Lemon Lime/Orange and Zero varieties) over undeclared Yellow No. 5/No. 6; separate frozen berry recalls tied to E. coli also expanded to include Trader Joe’s and Walmart products in Georgia. Energy & Logistics: A new report flags construction employment and spending still down year over year, while diesel prices remain a pressure point for Georgia trucking and farmers. Tech & Infrastructure: OpenVault says upstream broadband demand is rising faster than downstream, pushing cable operators to rethink network upgrades. Business Real Estate: Disney bought Yamaha’s Cypress HQ for about $115M as Yamaha relocates U.S. operations to Kennesaw, Georgia.

Surveillance & Public Records: A North Richland Hills, Texas man is fighting a $2.3M bill tied to searching Flock Safety camera data, highlighting how agencies are making it harder to access details on AI-powered surveillance. Georgia Elections: Metro Atlanta voters are weighing equality, gas prices, and immigration as they head to the polls for governor and other statewide races. Data Centers & Power: AWS CEO Matt Garman pushes back on criticism of data centers, arguing several popular claims about water use and grid impacts are overstated. Health Care Contracting: A Radiology Partners affiliate in Texas secured an in-network agreement with BCBS of Texas, aiming to protect access amid a radiologist shortage. Workforce/Industry: Georgia’s tourism hit a record 175.6M visitors for a fourth straight year, while local groups continue pushing workforce and energy-efficiency grants. Food & Manufacturing: Conagra plans to discontinue the Celeste frozen pizza brand as it trims complexity and refocuses on higher-growth products.

Tourism Boom: Georgia logged a record 175.6 million visitors in 2025, spending $46.2 billion and supporting 473,837 jobs—one in every 15 statewide—while generating $5.3 billion in state and local tax revenue. Food Safety: Frozen berry recalls expanded again as E. coli concerns widened to additional Trader Joe’s and Walmart Great Value lots, with shoppers urged to check freezer inventory. Road & Construction: Georgia DOT scheduled nighttime lane and ramp closures for the 16@95 widening and interchange work (Oct. 4–10, 7 p.m.–6 a.m.), with drivers directed to 511 for real-time updates. Local Business Disruption: South Fulton postponed a Fairburn Road closure tied to bridge work after technical issues related to a nearby water main. Manufacturing/Materials: Cotton Incorporated highlighted commercially viable tech for cotton nonwovens, including a continuous bleaching system and a best-performing lubricant for high-speed processing. Workforce & Learning: Georgia Southern’s continuing and professional education lineup runs through fall, including an AI Impact Conference in Statesboro (Nov. 5).

Fuel Relief in Georgia: Gov. Brian Kemp suspended the state motor fuel tax as prices stayed high, cutting 33.3 cents/gal on gasoline and 37.3 cents/gal on diesel for a limited period. Tourism Boom: Kemp and state officials say Georgia hit tourism records for a fourth straight year, with 175.6M visitors in 2025 spending $46.2B and generating $5.3B in tax revenue. Food Safety Watch: The FDA expanded a frozen-berry recall tied to possible E. coli contamination, including Great Value and Trader Joe’s products sold in Georgia. Nuclear Supply Chain: Doosan Enerbility is positioning for more U.S. nuclear orders as South Korea and the U.S. push a framework to build large reactors on American soil. Local Business/Logistics: TruckDown rolled out an enhanced, user-rated system to help drivers quickly find trusted repair and towing services. Community & Agriculture: Georgia’s peanut culture and traditions were celebrated at a major festival in Williston, highlighting the local industry’s role in jobs and community life.

Defense & Industry: The U.S. Navy says the Ohio-class guided-missile submarine USS Florida (SSGN 728) has finished a two-year overhaul at Kings Bay, Georgia, restoring systems and keeping its capacity for up to 154 Tomahawk missiles. Healthcare Construction: East Georgia Regional Medical Center is moving ahead with a $16 million emergency department expansion, adding treatment rooms, fast-track bays, and redesigned triage and waiting areas, with completion targeted for late 2027. Food Safety: A Chilean supplier expanded a recall of frozen organic berries sold at Walmart and Trader Joe’s after an E. coli outbreak tied to the products sickened 17 people and hospitalized six in Florida and Georgia. Public Health/Policy: Georgia’s ACA marketplace saw plan selections drop 4.9% for 2026 as premiums rose 19.7%, with more shoppers shifting to cheaper tiers. Local Business & Finance: A former metro Atlanta Ameris Bank employee faces federal charges alleging nearly $1 million in fraudulent transfers from customer accounts into Coinbase crypto accounts.

Data Centers & Power Crunch: Microsoft is leaning into “biomimicry” to soften data-center impacts, while a new report warns the U.S. grid’s interconnection backlog could slow AI and clean-energy projects. Construction Costs: Atlanta’s English Avenue “The Proctor” is stalled at ~20% after a $5M gap grew, with developers citing diesel, inflation, and tariffs on key materials. Manufacturing Expansion: Pirelli plans a $1.2B Rome, Georgia factory expansion to add capacity and about 1,000 jobs. Workforce/Business Growth: Statesboro manufacturer ShaloTek won a $4M SBA grant for a 15,000-sq-ft expansion. Agriculture Threat: Georgia agriculture officials report continued yellow-legged hornet activity and urge residents to report suspected nests. Food Safety: A Chilean E. coli-linked frozen berry recall expanded, with Georgia among affected states. Consumer Protection: Equifax customers may qualify for payouts from a proposed $100M settlement over a 2022 credit-score error. Local Governance: DeKalb voters will decide ESPLOST VII funding plans for school capital projects. Tech & Safety: Georgia Tech researchers unveiled a body-based implant communication system in rats, aiming to coordinate medical devices without bulky radios.

Data Centers & AI: Amazon says it’s backing the AI data-center buildout with $1B+ over five years for host communities, arguing the surge is like the 1950s interstate build and warning that local moratoriums could hurt U.S. competitiveness. Telecom & Infrastructure: AOI showcased a live 3.0 GHz cable network concept in Atlanta and highlighted AI-driven analytics to spot network issues earlier, while also marking its millionth 1.8 GHz amplifier shipped. Water/Wastewater: Social Circle is weighing two bond-funded contracts totaling $35M+ for a new wastewater treatment plant and a gravity sewer line tied to it. Public Safety: USDA Wildlife Services will drop oral rabies vaccine baits across northwest Georgia starting Oct. 7 to curb raccoon rabies. Workforce/Local Economy: Develop Fulton announced an “AI Ready Fulton County” pilot to train 500 residents and municipal employees through hybrid AI pathways. Transportation: GDOT canceled a full I-285 Westside closure weekend due to rain; a later closure is set for Oct. 23-26.

Braves Playoff Push: Atlanta beat Philadelphia 6-2 in the NL Wild Card deciding Game 3, powered by Michael Harris II’s first-inning homer and Chris Sale’s scoreless relief stint; the Braves now set sights on the Dodgers in the division series. UGA Community Fundraising: A UGA facilities worker, Charles Turner, inspired a TikTok-driven fundraiser that raised about $3,500 for him after a student credited his encouragement for studying through the night. Foodservice Merger Fight: U.S. lawmakers and independent restaurants urged the FTC to scrutinize Sysco’s proposed $29.1B acquisition of Restaurant Depot, arguing it could shrink key wholesale options for small operators. Election Tech Overhaul: Georgia lawmakers reviewed alternative voting systems as vendors pitched solutions, while a federal judge dismissed a bid for unredacted voter files tied to privacy concerns. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Georgia agriculture crews reported tracking and eradication progress against invasive yellow-legged hornets, citing risks to pollinators and crop production. Data Center Watch: Statesboro officials are weighing a proposed Burkhalter Road data center plan that grew out of developers’ shift away from a housing project. Consumer Safety: Kobayashi Consumer Products recalled about 77,000 HotHands rechargeable hand warmers sold through major retailers due to overheating and fire/burn hazards.

Public Safety: A joint Walton County Sheriff’s Office and Georgia Bureau of Investigation raid in Monroe seized trafficking quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine, 13 firearms, and more than 100,000 counterfeit pressed pills. Workplace & Crime: Atlanta police are investigating a fatal shooting at a southeast Atlanta food services warehouse on Zip Industrial Boulevard after an argument between employees. Health & Food Safety: FDA says Sierra Nevada Cheese Company is recalling raw milk cheese products tied to a suspected multi-state E. coli outbreak linked to 13 illnesses. Healthcare Coverage: Georgia Marketplace open enrollment for 2027 starts Nov. 1, with plan selections taking effect Jan. 1, 2027. Tech & Semiconductors: Lawrenceville-based Silicon Creations earned its 10th straight TSMC Open Innovation Platform Partner of the Year award in Mixed Signal IP. State Data & Planning: Georgia unveiled a new spatial data strategy and action plan through the national spatial data infrastructure coordination effort. Energy & Infrastructure: Georgia’s 2027 consolidated budget draft projects GEL 37.531B, with higher healthcare and social spending. Local Development: Bartow County planning commissioners advanced a Kroger rezoning for a new store at Fire Tower Road and Joe Frank Harris Parkway.