AGP Executive Report

Custom Home Growth: Schuman Homes is expanding its custom home building footprint across Savannah-area communities and adding a new presence on St. Simons Island, with real-time build updates for buyers in The Landings, South Harbor, Southbridge, Savannah Quarters and Richmond Hill. Workforce & Skills: SkillsUSA recognized students at its National Leadership and Skills Conference, including an Abingdon-area student earning a Skill Point Certificate in Automotive Refinishing Technology in Atlanta—another signal of Georgia’s push to grow skilled trades talent. Industrial Development Watch: A proposed speculative manufacturing and distribution project could bring up to 1.5 million square feet to Adairsville, while DeKalb County extended a temporary moratorium on new data center applications to September to study water, utility costs and infrastructure impacts. Energy Costs: Georgia Power says summer bills can still jump 30% to 50% even after a fuel rate cut, as peak afternoon demand drives higher generation costs. Health Policy: Georgia’s medical cannabis program expands under the “Putting Georgia’s Patients First Act,” replacing “low THC oil” with “medical cannabis” and broadening access for patients. Agriculture & Innovation: Dalan Animal Health in Athens says it has deployed the world’s first licensed insect vaccine, with early work aimed at protecting shrimp and honeybees.

Energy & Infrastructure: Georgia Power has started a grid enhancement project in Savannah’s Cloverdale and Tremont Park areas, upgrading poles and lines serving about 1,300 customers, with temporary traffic impacts expected on several local roads. Workforce & Compliance: A new Georgia-focused explainer breaks down how workers’ compensation works in the state, emphasizing the no-fault system, prompt injury reporting, and how benefits are calculated; another piece notes why personal injury claims may need more than medical records alone. Real Estate & Housing: Develop Fulton approved incentives for a $75 million, 247-unit mixed-income redevelopment in Northwest Atlanta, converting a former industrial site into apartments with 38 affordable units. Logistics & Data Centers: DC Blox is laying out an ambitious Southeast data-center build-out plan, targeting regional and edge markets beyond Atlanta. Workplace Safety Tech: Georgia Tech researchers unveiled a wearable audio system that turns nearby robot movements into warning sounds to improve safety in human-robot work settings. Public Safety: The Georgia Department of Public Health issued July 4 heat and food-safety tips for Georgians and visitors. Community & Skills: SkillsUSA’s national competition in Atlanta recognized a Red Lodge student with a firefighting Skill Point Certificate, highlighting Georgia’s career and technical education pipeline.

Construction & Licensing: Georgia’s 2026 construction law changes take effect July 1, reshaping specialty contractor licensing, private-provider inspection processes, and land-disturbance permit review, plus updates to certain public roofing contracts. Energy Infrastructure: A proposed multi-state gas pipeline route involving Alabama and Georgia is drawing fresh scrutiny as opponents warn it mainly serves out-of-state needs and could expand fossil-fuel reliance. Data Centers & Power: As Georgia’s data-center boom continues, utilities and regulators are grappling with grid access and rising electricity demand, with new reporting highlighting how power upgrades and policy choices are colliding with growth. Fraud Prevention Tech: LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Promon announced a mobile fraud-prevention alliance combining identity/device intelligence with in-app protection and telemetry. Workforce in the Heat: Atlanta-area roofing firms are adjusting operations for extreme temperatures, emphasizing hydration rotations and on-site cooling practices. Local Infrastructure: GDOT says SR 220 will close at Soap Creek in Lincoln County for an 18-month bridge replacement. Health Policy: Georgia expands medical cannabis access under new law, including availability for patients and related product rules. Sports & Community: A Georgia sportscaster honor went to CBS Atlanta’s Sam Crenshaw, recognizing decades of coverage of high school and youth athletics.

World Cup/Atlanta: England survived a scare in Atlanta, rallying from an early DR Congo goal to win 2-1 and reach the last 16, with Harry Kane scoring twice late. New Georgia laws: New rules taking effect July 1 cover consumer cash rounding, senior-service referral disclosures, and updates to education and public safety. Workforce/SkillsUSA: Georgia students earned national recognition at SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference, including a Thomasville-area welding sculpture medalist. Manufacturing/Logistics: Nation Ramps is expanding U.S. production at its Sweetwater, Tennessee facility to cut lead times and boost capacity for loading-dock and ramp solutions. Real estate/Agents: RLTYco closed on an acquisition of Atlanta-based RealCommissions to grow its commission-advance offering for real estate agents. Public safety/Animals: Georgia authorities arrested a man in a Crawford County dogfighting probe, rescuing 23 dogs and seizing firearms and suspected drugs. Health: CDC reports a rise in cyclosporiasis cases across multiple states, including Georgia.

Georgia Policy & Business Climate: New Georgia laws take effect July 1, reshaping areas like consumer rules, development inspections, and health and safety requirements. Energy & Utilities: Georgia Power is pushing free in-home energy walkthroughs and tips to cut summer bills, as homeowners look for ways to manage cooling costs. Workforce & Training: SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta highlighted career-ready students, including Cheyenne participants earning Skill Point Certificates in first aid/CPR and extemporaneous speaking. Life Sciences & Manufacturing: UCB’s planned $2B biologics facility in Gwinnett County is tied to a growing biotech job pipeline, with Georgia’s biomedical engineering programs positioned to feed advanced manufacturing needs. Retail & Operations Tech: Lawrenceville-based Majors Management is partnering with ResultStack to roll out AI across pricing, inventory, loyalty, labor planning, and customer experience across its convenience-store network. Economic Growth Watch: Georgia’s economy is reported to have grown 6.4% in May, adding momentum as companies plan and expand.

AI & Finance: Meaningful AI launched a Financial Institutions practice and named Lee Long as strategic partner, aiming to help banks and credit unions adopt AI with security, compliance, and customer-trust controls built in. SNAP Oversight: New federal rules could force many states to repay billions tied to SNAP payment error targeting, raising pressure on state systems and budgets. Construction & Logistics: Commodity Cables LLC added sales reps in growing U.S. markets to speed quotes and delivery for contractors and electricians. Waste & Services: Rubicon expanded its RubiconNOW on-demand dumpster platform from Atlanta and Dallas into Houston. Industrial Real Estate: A Brantley County rezoning request would limit what can go on a 102.98-acre industrial park parcel—no data centers, solar farms, or mini storage for at least 20 years. Manufacturing: Pirelli outlined a $1B–$1.2B U.S. investment plan, including expanding production of its sensor-equipped “Cyber Tyres” at the Rome, Georgia plant. Workforce Well-Being: UWG will offer a six-week “Breaking Free from Burnout” professional reset series starting Aug. 19. Public Safety: Experts warned that Fourth of July fireworks can turn dangerous fast, especially during Georgia’s heat wave. Transportation Tech: NCR Atleos extended its Shell UK ATM deal, managing 408 free-to-use ATMs across Shell forecourts.

Georgia Budget & Mining: Georgia reported 426 mineral extraction licenses issued in 2025, bringing in 104.61M lari for the government via auction activity. Household Economics: Primerica’s Household Budget Index fell to 98.3% in May as gas prices kept squeezing middle-income purchasing power. Air Service & Economic Development: DuBois Regional Airport’s authority recommended Contour Airlines for Essential Air Service, proposing nonstop flights to Atlanta and Chicago with a $6.2M annual federal subsidy. Workforce & Training: West Georgia Technical College hit a 100% pass rate for its Radiologic Technology Class of 2026 on the ARRT exam. Healthy Food Funding: USDA’s Healthy Food Financing Initiative is accepting 2026 applications for a $20M grants round to expand financing and technical help for healthy food access. Retail Experience: Sephora rolled out “quiet hours” to lower sensory triggers for neurodivergent shoppers. Tech & Mobility: Uber and Waymo ended their Phoenix robotaxi partnership, while Waymo vehicles remain available on Uber in Atlanta and Austin. Atlanta Business/Events: FrontRunner and Caliwater used a 16-story projection in downtown Atlanta to launch a new campaign tied to the World Cup.

Rural Development: Gov. Kemp announced a fourth round of Rural Site Development Initiative grants totaling $7.8 million for 10 projects, bringing the program’s investment to $28 million since FY 2025. Public Safety & Health: Metro Atlanta braces for extreme humidity with a heat advisory warning that conditions could push “feels like” temperatures above 100 degrees through the July Fourth weekend. Workforce & Skills: A Richmond Hill student won a gold medal at the National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta, highlighting Georgia’s career and technical education pipeline. Local Infrastructure: Warner Robins will close a stretch of Hickory Street July 1-2 (8 a.m.-5 p.m.) for utility tie-in work. Business Climate: A new report says Georgia’s growth is moderating but remains positive, with workforce and leadership development still the top priorities for executives. Consumer/Tech Watch: Rental car companies are increasingly using AI damage scanners, and some customers report being billed for damage they say they didn’t cause. Insurance Relief: Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John King approved auto rate reductions from USAA, cutting premiums for more than 200,000 policyholders.

Georgia Power & energy efficiency: Georgia Power shared tips and free resources to help residents beat summer heat, as utilities push practical conservation ahead of peak demand. Construction & infrastructure: An AOT Road Construction Report for the week of June 29 flagged upcoming work, while a temporary overnight closure of I-516 over Ogeechee Road is scheduled for June 30–July 2. Retail expansion: Home Depot is set to open a large 135,000-square-foot store in Georgia, signaling continued investment in local job creation and consumer access. Poultry & ag health: At IPPE in Atlanta, Zoetis highlighted how E. coli risk and pullet vaccination quality can make or break layer production, stressing careful handling and crew training. Cybersecurity: Edelson Lechtzin LLP said it’s investigating claims tied to an AssuranceAmerica data breach that may have exposed sensitive personal and insurance information. Public safety tech: Federal authorities charged a drone-smuggling operation tied to contraband drops into federal prisons, with Georgia prisons described as “like a small airport” on some evenings.

Insurance Affordability: Georgia’s insurance regulator says USAA is cutting auto rates, with an average 2.6% overall reduction expected to save more than 200,000 Georgians about $33.2 million. Retail Expansion: Home Depot is moving ahead with a new 135,000-square-foot store in north Forsyth County, after rezoning 21 acres to commercial use. Public Works & Traffic: Georgia DOT plans an overnight I-516 closure at Ogeechee Road from June 30 through July 2 (7 p.m. to 6 a.m.) for ITS infrastructure work. Manufacturing & Emergency Response: Waycross-based SDG Trailers is expanding production of mobile emergency kitchens and command units, including a 52-foot “Big Papa” fleet built for 5,000+ meals per day. Corporate Moves: Rayonier is leasing space in Atlanta’s Buckhead for a new headquarters starting in 2027. Agriculture & Environment: University of Georgia Extension highlights composting as a way to keep organic waste out of landfills and reduce methane impacts. Pollinator Research: Georgia Tech researchers report low-dose sulfoxaflor can alter bumblebee gene activity, raising concerns for crop protection and pollinator health.

Data Security: Atlanta-based AssuranceAmerica says a March breach may have exposed names, SSNs, driver’s license numbers and other records for about 611,000 South Carolina residents, with notifications tied to state records. World Cup & Georgia Business: DR Congo’s first-ever knockout-stage run sets a Round of 32 match vs England in Atlanta, with England topping Group L after a 2-0 win over Panama; the matchup is a major tourism and event draw for the state. AI Infrastructure Backlash: Hundreds marched in Vancouver to oppose two planned AI data centers, citing water and power impacts—an issue Georgia communities are also watching. Logistics Disruption: A freight train collision with a semi in southwest Atlanta scattered packages, sparked a fire, and temporarily disrupted MARTA service. Sports Industry: The Atlanta Gladiators hired Scott Davidson as an assistant coach ahead of the 2026-27 season, signaling continued NHL-affiliate investment in Georgia hockey. Consumer Costs: A new report flags rising auto insurance premiums as a growing drag on performance-car ownership.

Disaster Relief for Small Business: The SBA opened low-interest disaster loans for drought-related losses in Alabama, with Georgia counties (including Chattahoochee, Clay, Early, Harris, Muscogee, Quitman, Seminole, Stewart and Troup) eligible for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. World Cup in Atlanta: With group play ending Saturday, DR Congo and Uzbekistan meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and the day’s slate also includes England vs. Panama—key matchups that shape who advances to the Round of 32. Automation vs. Jobs: Hyundai workers at the automaker’s Georgia plant are facing a robot-driven future, with Korean workers voting to strike over humanoid robots and demands for a say in automation plans. Georgia Road Work: Mill River Road in Georgia is set for a roughly two-month closure starting July 6 for a bridge replacement, with detours and no bicycle access during construction. Veterans’ Benefits Scrutiny: A new report highlights that most disability claims for IBM (inclusion body myositis) are still denied at the local level, despite VA claims of improving decisions.

Local Tax Fight: Georgia House Republicans tried to push local property tax measures during a special session, but Democrats blocked them—arguing the plan would shift costs to lower-income Georgians; lawmakers plan to return Monday. Retail & Hemp Shakeups: In Macon County, the Peebles department store is closing and reopening as a Gordmans, Macon Appliance is shutting after 80+ years, and the Macon Hemp Collective’s CBD/hemp plans are on hold after a property deal fell through. Data Center Construction: Edged topped out the first building at its Council Bluffs, Iowa data center (Project Lola), signaling continued expansion across multiple states including Georgia. Sandy Springs Growth Planning: A private K-12 school seeks a Sandy Springs zoning permit to relocate and double enrollment to 300, while the city weighs a draft transportation master plan calling for $250M+ in investments through 2036. Public Works & Water Policy: House committee leaders released the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2026 to streamline U.S. Army Corps projects for ports, flood control, and waterways. Georgia Tech in the News: A Driggs, Idaho student earned a Georgia Tech master’s in computer science during the institute’s 2025 commencement.

Workforce & Growth: Atlanta HR and recruiting consulting firm Hire Ventures® is marking 25 years since launching in 2001, expanding its team and adding executive coaching and HR mentorship. Business Expansion: Bennett Mobile Truck Repair rolled out 24/7 mobile RV and motorhome mechanical service in Valdosta and a wider South Georgia/North Florida corridor, aiming to cut roadside downtime. Agriculture Education: Pendergrass student Alyssa Foster helped the University of North Georgia equine team place fifth at a national agriculture conference in Missouri. Legal/Policy: Seventeen Republican attorneys general, including Georgia’s, sued California over its single-use plastics packaging law, arguing it will raise costs nationwide. Industry & Compliance: Indiana signed a law limiting insurers’ AI use for downcoding claims without chart review—an early signal of how states may regulate AI in healthcare billing. Community & Pride: Atlanta Pride named its 2026 Grand Marshals for the Oct. 10–11 parade and festival.

Energy & Industry: Georgia Power is moving ahead with a 75-mile “Primary 500” transmission project in parts of Emanuel County and beyond, with landowners receiving right-of-way notices as the utility targets grid upgrades for new industrial demand, including data centers. Transportation: Metro Atlanta residents are still pushing back on the $1.2B I-285/I-20 West interchange overhaul, calling it a “nightmare” for access and daily life as construction runs through 2030. Utilities & AI: Lawmakers are debating whether AI data-center operators should help pay for grid strain, with consumer advocates warning costs could land on electric bills. Local Growth & Jobs: Gov. Kemp announced Yancey Engineered Solutions will invest $5.7M in Cordele, creating 300 jobs. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Georgia is warning residents to watch for invasive yellow-legged hornets and report suspected nests—don’t try to remove them. Consumer/Business Risk: A Georgia-based payment platform, Momnt, is drawing scrutiny after customers say they’re billed for services they never received. Land Use: Hall County commissioners denied a 56-lot subdivision after public outcry. Public Works: DeKalb approved a right-of-way swap tied to the South River Trail. Manufacturing/Infrastructure: A storm-damaged Peerless Mill in Rossville is facing partial demolition as crews address structural deterioration.

Atlanta Housing Policy: Mayor Andre Dickens signed an executive order pausing new self-storage developments, directing city planning and zoning to refuse permits while officials assess impacts on housing affordability and economic development. Workforce & Skills Training: Cape Cod Regional Technical High School student Charles “Chaz” Thomas won bronze in HVAC-R at SkillsUSA Nationals in Atlanta, highlighting hands-on career pathways. Transportation & Public Safety: Monroe County is investigating a June 21 theft-by-taking of scrap metal in Forsyth; suspects were seen leaving in a blue Ford, and authorities have issued a BOLO update. Port & Trade Infrastructure: The U.S. Development Finance Corporation approved a second $25 million loan with PACE Group to complete the second berth at the Poti Seaport, boosting bulk cargo capacity by about 1 million tons per year. Legal/Industry: Norfolk Southern faces a lawsuit from Duos Technologies alleging it stole an AI inspection program used after East Palestine, including work tied to Georgia Tech. Consumer/Healthcare: A new push in Congress would cap traditional Medicare out-of-pocket costs, resurfacing a major affordability fight.