July 2026 Features

• Georgia Productions Remain Steady as Competition Heats Up

  July 31, 2026

  The film and entertainment industry is evolving. Yet through all the change and disruption, the industry in Georgia remains steady, continuing to support jobs and drive economic prosperity across the state.

• Georgia Chamber Launches OneDigital HR Services to Help Employers Strengthen Workforce

  July 30, 2026

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce today announced the launch of OneDigital HR Services, a new member resource designed to help Georgia employers navigate today's increasingly complex workforce landscape through comprehensive human resources consulting and strategic support.

• Leadership Columbia County Announces the Distinguished Class of 2027

  July 29, 2026

  Leadership Columbia County, a Columbia County Chamber program presented by TaxSlayer, is proud to announce the selection of its highly anticipated Class of 2027. These 32 accomplished professionals represent a diverse cross-section of industries and organizations across the Greater Augusta Region.

• Governor Kemp Announces 44 Appointments to Boards, Authorities, & Commissions

  July 29, 2026

  Governor Brian Kemp yesterday announced 44 appointments and reappointments to various state boards, authorities, and commissions across Georgia.

• Hull College's MBA Program Receives Rankings, Changes to its Concentrations

  July 28, 2026

  There have been some exciting developments with the James M. Hull College of Business and its Master of Business Administration program.

• Georgia Cities Week Celebrates Record Participation, Official Recognition, & Community Pride Across the State

  July 28, 2026

  Across Georgia, communities once again came together to celebrate Georgia Cities Week—a statewide tradition that invites residents to experience, appreciate, and engage with their local governments that serve them every day.

• Goodwill Reopens Wrightsboro Retail Training Store in Augusta

  July 24, 2026

  Goodwill of Middle Georgia & the CSRA is excited to announce the grand reopening of its Wrightsboro Retail Training Store at 3362 Wrightsboro Road. Community members are invited to celebrate with Goodwill during a special ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, July 30th.

• Georgia DOT Awards Nearly $3.2B for Fiscal Year 2026, Includes $74.3M in Construction Contracts in June

  July 24, 2026

  At the monthly State Transportation Board meeting held in June, the last month of FY 2026, 20 projects were awarded for statewide projects valued at approximately $74.3 million.

• Georgia Chamber Announces Top 2 Finalists in 2026 Coolest Thing Made in Georgia Competition

  July 22, 2026

  Today, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the Top 2 finalists in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Georgia competition, presented by Synovus, now merged with Pinnacle Financial Partners.

• Chronic Absenteeism Hits Another Post-Pandemic Low in Georgia, as Efforts to Reduce Absence Rates Continue

  July 22, 2026

  Chronic absenteeism in Georgia's public schools again declined during the 2025-2026 school year, reaching a new post-pandemic low and continuing a five-year trend of improvement.

• Regional Leaders to Discuss the Future of Growth, Healthcare, Workforce and National Defense at Inaugural “Leading Forward” Forum

  July 21, 2026

  The North Augusta Chamber of Commerce will convene some of the CSRA’s most influential leaders on Tuesday, July 28th for the inaugural Leading Forward: Growth, Investment & Regional Opportunity, the first forum in the Chamber’s new Leadership and Economic Outlook Series.

• Hannah's Story: Building a Better Future for Her Family

  July 21, 2026

  After entering Georgia's foster care system at age 11, Hannah spent seven years in care and experienced 17 different placements before aging out. As a young mother of three, she faced overwhelming challenges, balancing parenthood with unstable housing, unreliable transportation, and the daily struggle to provide for her family.

• Georgia Chamber Launches Georgia Digital Infrastructure Alliance

  July 21, 2026

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced the launch of the Georgia Digital Infrastructure Alliance, a new initiative designed to bring together business leaders, infrastructure providers, utilities, community stakeholders, and key industries to support Georgia’s continued leadership in the rapidly growing digital economy.

• New Garrison Commander Takes the Reins at Fort Gordon

  July 20, 2026

  U.S. Army Garrison Fort Gordon welcomed a new commander July 9 as Col. Nancy K. Harris assumed command from Col. Anthony Kazor during a Change of Command ceremony at the Cyber Conference and Catering Center.

• Georgia Hospital Association Announces 2026-2027 Board of Trustees & New Board Chair Vicki Lewis

  July 20, 2026

  Coffee Regional Medical Center President and CEO Vicki Lewis, FACHE, was installed as the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Georgia Hospital Association at the association’s Annual Meeting of the Assembly on July 9th.

• President Trump to Visit Georgia to Tout Affordability Agenda

  July 20, 2026

  President Donald Trump plans to visit Georgia this week to highlight tax breaks, grants to newborns and other policies aimed at affordability, a top concern ahead of the November elections. The president is scheduled to visit Wheeler High School in Marietta on Wednesday.

• Atlanta Delivers Historic FIFA World Cup 2026 from Kickoff to the Semifinal

  July 17, 2026

  Atlanta concluded an extraordinary FIFA World Cup 2026 hosting run on July 15th with a semifinal match-up between Argentina and England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, capping eight matches that showcased the city at its very best.

• Georgia Lottery Annual Profits for HOPE, Pre-K Exceed $1.54B

  July 17, 2026

  Governor Brian Kemp announced the Georgia Lottery Corp. raised $1,540,868,000 for education in fiscal year 2026, bringing the total transferred to the State Treasury’s Lottery for Education Account since inception in 1993 to more than $31.3 billion.

• Check-Ups and Conversations: Inside the President Russell T. Keen's Summer Tour Across Georgia

  July 16, 2026

  At Augusta University, Georgia is our campus. This summer, President Russell T. Keen traveled more than 675 miles across the state to listen, learn and see firsthand how AU students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners are improving lives and strengthening communities.

• Georgia Power Reaffirms Longstanding Commitment to Make Growth Work for Customers with Customer Protection Pledge

  July 16, 2026

  With new residents moving to the state and large-energy users like data centers and manufacturers choosing Georgia, Georgia Power continues to work to ensure that growth benefits all Georgia Power customers.

• CEO Confidence Slips in Q2 as Inflation and Economic Uncertainty Take Hold

  July 16, 2026

  Small and midsize business CEOs' confidence in the economy declined in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest CEO Confidence Index from Vistage, a CEO coaching and peer advisory organization.

• Top 8 Products Announced in Coolest Thing Made in Georgia Competition

  July 10, 2026

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced today the Top 8 finalists in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Georgia competition, presented by Synovus, now merged with Pinnacle Financial Partners. After thousands of votes from across the country and around the world, only eight Georgia-made products remain in the bracket-style competition celebrating the innovation, craftsmanship, and manufacturing excellence that power Georgia's economy.

• Georgia Council for the Arts Awards 179 Organizations $1.3 Million in Grant Funding

  July 09, 2026

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development team specialized in empowering arts and culture, Georgia Council for the Arts, today announced that $1.3M in competitive grant funding will be distributed to recipients in 37 counties across the state through its fiscal year 2027 General Operating Support, Project, and Arts Education Program grants.

• Gov. Kemp Leads Economic Development Mission to Scotland and Ireland

  July 09, 2026

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that he and First Lady Marty Kemp are leading an international mission this week to foster economic relationships in Scotland and Ireland, including a meeting with Executive Chair Euisun Chung and other senior leadership from Hyundai Motor Group and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Prime Minister of Ireland.

• From Pennies to Protests, New Georgia Laws Alter Penalties, Programs and Protections

  July 07, 2026

  New state laws took effect Wednesday, bringing new mandates that will change life for Georgians in both obvious and unseen ways.