July 2025 Features

• Port of Savannah Sees Second Busiest Year on Record

  July 30, 2025

  The Georgia Ports Authority moved 5.7 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in fiscal year, an increase of 8.6 percent or 450,000 TEUs compared to the previous fiscal year. FY2025 was the Port of Savannah’s second busiest year on record, and the rate of growth shows continuing strength in Georgia’s logistics trajectory.

• Union Pacific Acquires Georgia-Based Norfolk Southern to Create America’s First Transcontinental Railroad

  July 30, 2025

  Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation announced an agreement to create America’s first transcontinental railroad, connecting over 50,000 route miles across 43 states from the East Coast to the West Coast. This combination will transform the U.S. supply chain and create new sources of economic growth and workforce opportunity that preserves union jobs.

• Piedmont Macon’s Efforts to Improve Health Outcomes Highlighted in Piedmont’s Community Impact Report

  July 28, 2025

  Providing free mental health counseling to Macon’s homeless population, educating senior citizens about the dangers of falling and recognizing unsung community heroes are just a few ways Piedmont Macon Medical Center and Piedmont Macon North Hospital are proud to invest in the health and well-being of our community.

• From Vision to Action: 2025 Young Gamechangers Embark on Athens-Clarke County

  July 28, 2025

  GeorgiaForward kicked off its 2025 session of its Young Gamechangers program in Athens-Clarke County, welcoming 48 bright and driven young professionals from across the state. The cohort begins an eight-month journey aimed at tackling some of Athens-Clarke County’s most pressing challenges through fresh perspectives, collaboration, and civic innovation.

• GACCE Awards Grants for Innovative Programs

  July 28, 2025

  The Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives awarded their 2025 Innovative Program Grants at the Executive Leadership Conference held in Jekyll Island.

• Survey: Some SMBs See AI as a Tool, Not a Threat to Jobs

  July 28, 2025

  New research from Bluevine–the largest small business banking platform in the U.S*.–shows that small business owners see AI's potential to shake up how they manage their finances–but unlike corporations making headlines for AI-driven layoffs, most SMBs say they're not planning to cut jobs because of it.

• Georgia Welcomes the World: Cities Gear Up for FIFA World Cup

  July 25, 2025

  The world’s largest sporting event is coming to Georgia, creating unprecedented opportunities for communities statewide to showcase southern hospitality on a global stage.

• Clean Energy Tour Powers Through Georgia with New Tech and Fleet Solutions

  July 25, 2025

  The 15th annual Georgia Clean Energy Roadshow hosted by PSC Commissioner Tim Echols and produced by Event Energy Partners kicks off August 12th with three consecutive tour-stops in Savannah, Macon, and Lawrenceville.

• New Research from Generation Underscores The Importance of Remote Work for US Rural Communities

  July 24, 2025

  New data from Generation, the global economic mobility nonprofit, reveals how midcareer workers are navigating economic uncertainty and employment challenges in rural America. The report, Rural America Is Ready for Remote Work, is based on a study commissioned by Generation and conducted by YouGov across rural counties in the 17 states that make up the Appalachian and Delta regions of the United States.

• Technical College System of Georgia Launches Podcast: Talent Pipeline Georgia

  July 23, 2025

  The Technical College System of Georgia announces the launch of Talent Pipeline Georgia, a new monthly podcast spotlighting the people, programs, and partnerships fueling Georgia’s position as the #1 state for business.

• Bringing Art Home: How One Rural Town Transformed Access to the Arts with Georgia Council for the Arts’ Traveling Exhibit

  July 23, 2025

  For the Euharlee Welcome Center and History Museum, the opportunity to host a traveling art exhibit in partnership with Georgia Council for the Arts was one they seized with enthusiasm – and their hard work paid off.

• AT&T, Human I-T Provide 50 Laptops & Backpacks to Warner Robins Students

  July 22, 2025

  AT&T and Human I-T provided the Warner Robins Unit of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Georgia 50 refurbished laptops and backpacks stuffed with school supplies today to distribute to Warner Robins students and families.

• Georgia DOT Donates 136.55 Acres to Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

  July 22, 2025

  The Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative proudly announces that the Georgia Department of Transportation has officially transferred 136.55 acres of land to the National Park Service.

• Meet Eryka: A Story of Strength, Art, and Hope

  July 22, 2025

  Eryka, a senior at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), has always dreamed of becoming an artist. But at 15, she was homeless, and soon after, placed in Georgia’s foster care system—separated from her younger brother with special needs.

• More Changes May Be Coming For Georgia’s Voting System

  July 21, 2025

  Georgia will benefit from a portion of another $27.5 million agreed to by the owner of a defunct medial lab accused of Medicaid fraud, the U.S. Justice Department announced Thursday.

• Macon-Bibb County Announces Passenger Flights to Fort Lauderdale

  July 18, 2025

  On Thursday, Macon-Bibb County announced nonstop passenger air service to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport from Middle Georgia Regional Airport will begin October 16th, thanks to Spirit Airlines.

• Georgia Makes History as Jobs Top 5 Million

  July 18, 2025

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia’s June unemployment rate was 3.5%, unchanged from May. The unemployment rate was six-tenths lower than the national unemployment rate.

• Georgia’s Aerospace Industry Keeps Climbing

  July 17, 2025

  In Georgia, the future of aerospace is already taking off. From cutting-edge startups to global defense contractors, the state’s aviation and aerospace ecosystem is growing faster and flying higher than ever before. A recent Site Selection feature, “An Open Door to the Skies,” highlights how Georgia’s unmatched combination of talent, infrastructure, and industry partnerships is driving growth and innovation at every altitude.

• Georgia's AAA Bond Rating Reaffirmed by Rating Agencies

  July 16, 2025

  Governor Brian Kemp announced that Georgia has again had the highest ratings of AAA reaffirmed with a stable outlook by each of the three main credit rating agencies: FitchRatings, Moody’s Investors Service, and S&P Global Ratings. This follows last week's release of Moody's reaffirmation of this coveted level of financial trustworthiness.

• Georgia Council for the Arts: More Than $1.3M in Grants Announced Across 49 Counties

  July 15, 2025

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development team specialized in supporting arts and culture, Georgia Council for the Arts, announced that more than $1.3 million in competitive grant funding will be distributed to recipients in 49 counties across the state through its General Operating Support, Project, and Arts Education Program grants.

• Col. Johari Hemphill Takes Helm As New Robins AFB Commander During Change Of Command

  July 14, 2025

  Col. Johari Hemphill assumed command as the 18th Robins Installation and 78th Air Base Wing commander from Col. Deedrick Reese during a change of command ceremony at Robins Air Force Base on July 8th.

• MGA & Museum of Aviation Foundation Announce Partnership Focused on Education and Community Engagement

  July 14, 2025

  Middle Georgia State University and the Museum of Aviation Foundation are launching a new partnership designed to strengthen educational outreach, community engagement, and innovation throughout the region.

• Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership at Georgia Tech Celebrates 65 Years of Service

  July 14, 2025

  The Georgia Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a program of the Enterprise Innovation Institute at Georgia Tech, received recognition by Gov. Brian Kemp for 65 years of service to the manufacturing industry at the Georgia State Capitol.

• Campaigns for Statewide Offices Take Shape After First Major Financial Filings

  July 11, 2025

  People who want to influence Georgia’s next elections have already poured millions of dollars into the 2026 governor’s race and other statewide campaigns.

• Search is Underway for Mercer University’s Next President

  July 10, 2025

  Mercer’s Presidential Search Committee, appointed last month by the Board of Trustees Executive Committee, has commenced its work identifying and recommending a successor to President William D. Underwood.