August 2026 Features

  • Member Economic Luncheon Explores Augusta’s Economic Momentum

    August 31, 2026

    The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce will welcome Andy Greiner, Editor of Area Development, for its upcoming Member Economic Luncheon on Thursday. Greiner will discuss the factors driving Georgia’s economic success and Augusta’s growing position as a competitive destination for business and investment.

  • UPS Invests More Than $2B to Give Customers Even Faster Service, More Control & More Resilient Global Supply Chains

    August 31, 2026

    UPS announced ongoing investments of more than $2 billion across its International, Healthcare and Supply Chain Solutions businesses. The investments, which began in 2024 and will continue through 2028, help businesses move faster and navigate shifting trade routes, evolving regulations and supply chain uncertainty with greater flexibility and connectivity across key global markets.

  • Metro Augusta’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 4.0% as Employment Rises

    August 28, 2026

    The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the seven-county Augusta Metropolitan Statistical Area saw an increase in employment in July, while the unemployment rate fell two-tenths of a percentage point over the month to 4.0%. A year ago, the rate was 4.4%.

  • Georgia Chamber Announces Office Renovation to Support Members & Staff

    August 28, 2026

    The Georgia Chamber of Commerce recently completed an office renovation and redesign aimed at creating a more modern, collaborative and welcoming space for its members and staff.

  • Columbia County Announces Continued Progress on Partnership to Deliver Long-Term Tax Relief

    August 27, 2026

    Columbia County officials announce continued progress on a strategic economic development partnership that is expected to create significant new revenue for the community and advance the County’s commitment to providing long-term property tax-relief for Columbia County homeowners.

  • Trump Administration Announces $93.3M to Transform Rural Healthcare Access Across Georgia

    August 27, 2026

    The Trump Administration announced today that a $93.3 million investment is being delivered to help rural hospitals advance new state-of-the-art models of care and improve health outcomes for Georgians through the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.

  • Georgia Power’s Contract with OpenAI Approved; Latest Approval Will Have $950M in Annual Savings

    August 27, 2026

    Today, Georgia Power announced that its contract to serve OpenAI’s new project in Effingham County has been approved as part of the regulatory process with the Georgia Public Service Commission. Georgia Power customers are expected to see savings of at least $15 per month beginning in 2029 for the typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month.

  • USG Foundation Raises $2.4 Million for Student Scholarships at 22nd Annual Gala

    August 26, 2026

    The University System of Georgia, through the USG Foundation, raised more than $2.4 million to support student success, an effort that culminated this weekend at the 22nd annual Board of Regents’ Scholarship & Awards Gala.

  • Georgia Bankers Association Supports Launch of Industry-Owned Blockchain Network

    August 26, 2026

    Today, 39 state bankers associations announced the formation of BankChain Alliance to provide customers across the country secure, modern banking services at financial institutions of all sizes.

  • Gov. and First Lady Kemp Lead Economic Mission to Chile and Peru

    August 25, 2026

    Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that he and First Lady Marty Kemp will lead an international economic development mission this week to Chile and Peru. In addition to direct talks with job creators who have operations in Georgia, they will meet with high-ranking government officials in both countries.

  • United Way of the CSRA Kicks Off 2026 Campaign with Project Serve

    August 24, 2026

    On Friday, United Way of the CSRA officially launched its annual campaign by bringing together hundreds of community leaders, volunteers, nonprofit partners, and local businesses for its annual Campaign Kickoff and Project Serve event. Continuing with the theme, "United Is The Way," the organization shared progress toward its bold community impact goal of helping 30,000 ALICE households by 2030.

  • Georgia Power's Learning Power Program Marks 15 Years and 1.5M Georgia Students Reached

    August 24, 2026

    Georgia Power announced that its Learning Power program has reached a major milestone – engaging more than 1.5 million students across Georgia since 2011. The program provides free, curriculum-based resources on energy, economics, and environmental stewardship that support classroom learning and inspire future generations.

  • Health Connect South to Convene the Southeast's Healthcare Community for 13th Annual Gathering

    August 21, 2026

    Health Connect South will host its 13th Annual Gathering on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta, bringing together more than 1,200 healthcare executives, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and academic leaders for one of the Southeast’s largest gatherings of the healthcare community.

  • Georgia Sets New Records for Labor Force and Employment in July

    August 21, 2026

    The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that Georgia reached new all-time highs in both its labor force (5,480,790) and employment (5,301,774) in July, and that the state's unemployment rate declined to 3.3%.

  • Fostering Success Act Spotlight: Walter & Leslie Kurtz

    August 18, 2026

    For Leslie and Walter Kurtz, the challenges facing youth who age out of Georgia’s foster care system aren’t abstract. They’re personal.

  • UCB Selects Georgia for New U.S. Biologics Manufacturing Facility; $5B Economic Impact & 330 Permanent Jobs

    August 18, 2026

    UCB announced that it has selected Gwinnett County, Georgia as the location for its new U.S. biologics manufacturing facility. The campus will be state-of-the art, using a digital-first approach by leveraging AI, robotics, and automation while being natural resources efficient.

  • New Georgia Chamber Foundation Guide Addresses Georgia’s Housing Needs

    August 17, 2026

    Today, the Georgia Chamber Foundation released its 2026 Keys to Housing: A Community Resource Guide, a new resource designed to help local leaders across Georgia better understand housing challenges and develop community-specific strategies to increase housing options.

  • University System of Georgia Drives Record $25.1B Economic Impact

    August 14, 2026

    The University System of Georgia generated a record $25.1 billion for the state’s economy in Fiscal Year 2025 – an 8.9% increase over last year, according to a new economic impact report. At the same time, a companion study shows a USG degree continues to pay off for students, adding more than $1.4 million to a graduate’s lifetime earnings.

  • Leadership in Action: Leading Cities Forward

    August 14, 2026

    Leadership often reveals itself in moments of action—when leaders step forward to solve problems, bring people together and create opportunities for others to succeed. Throughout her term as president of the Georgia Municipal Association, College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom has embraced that responsibility.

  • Community Foundation for the CSRA Launches $1M Community Grants Campaign

    August 13, 2026

    The Community Foundation for the CSRA today officially launched its 2027 Community Grants Campaign, announcing an ambitious goal to grant $1 million to expand support for local nonprofits and strengthen the future of philanthropy across the six-county CSRA.

  • All-Day Cravings, Answered: Chick-fil-A Debuts New Chicken & Waffles Sandwiches

    August 13, 2026

    This fall, Chick-fil-A is bringing fans a limited-time lineup that delivers classic flavors in an entirely new way. Beginning August 24th, Guests nationwide can enjoy the new Chicken & Waffles Sandwiches – available as breakfast and entrée offerings to satisfy all-day cravings.

  • Georgia Housing Market Shows Stability at Midyear

    August 12, 2026

    Georgia’s housing market remained steady through the first half of 2026, with new listings and pending sales edging higher while closed sales stayed close to last year’s pace, according to the Georgia REALTORS’ June 2026 Monthly Market Indicators report.

  • CEO Confidence Increased at Start of Q3

    August 12, 2026

    The Conference Board Measure of CEO Confidence in collaboration with The Business Council rose to 52 in Q3 2026, up from 47 in Q2. Despite a partial rebound from last quarter's sharp drop, confidence among leaders of large firms remained well below the level of 59 recorded in Q1 2026.

  • Take GMA’s City Hall Selfie Challenge: Help Georgia Reclaim the Top Spot!

    August 11, 2026

    City Hall Selfie Day returns today - August 11th, and GMA is challenging Georgia’s cities to help us reclaim the top spot for statewide participation! In 2025, Georgia tied with Alabama for the most City Hall Selfie Day posts in the nation. This year, we’re aiming to come out on top—and we need your help to make this happen.

  • AU Celebrates the New Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center

    August 10, 2026

    Augusta University President Russell T. Keen joined Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Wellstar President and CEO Ketul J. Patel for the grand opening of the Wellstar Columbia County Medical Center in Grovetown last week.