January 2026 Features

• Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum Unveils 2026 Legacy Leader Award Recipients

  January 30, 2026

  The Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum announced the distinguished recipients of the 2026 Legacy Leader Awards will be Kay Ford, Chair of BankSouth’s advisory board for the Savannah market/Past Chief Banking Officer for BankSouth and Greg Parker, Founder and Executive Chairman, Parker’s Kitchen.  The Emerging Leader Award recipient is Kendria Lee, Associate Vice President/External Affairs at Georgia Southern University.

• Republican State House Leaders Unveil Plan To Abolish Homeowner Property Taxes

  January 30, 2026

  Republicans in Georgia’s state House say they want to take steps to erase homeowner property taxes this legislative session, which is getting underway ahead of an election cycle seemingly dominated by concerns about the cost of living.

• Charge Forward Georgia: A New Gateway to EV Jobs & Training

  January 30, 2026

  The electric vehicle industry is booming in Georgia with major manufacturers like Hyundai, Kia and Rivian establishing and expanding operations across the Peach State. To support this growth, a new resource -- Charge Forward Georgia -- has launched as a one-stop hub for students, EV jobseekers, and employers.

• US CEOs Signal Major Rebound in Dealmaking Confidence as M&A Intent Soars

  January 30, 2026

  After a period of relative caution, US business leaders are entering 2026 with a renewed appetite for growth through acquisition. According to the latest EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey, 62% of US CEOs plan to actively pursue mergers and acquisitions over the next 12 months. This represents a significant 27-percentage-point surge from the 35% recorded in September 2025.

• Port Performance Sets the Floor for Savannah’s 2026 Industrial Market

  January 29, 2026

  Lee & Associates Atlanta has released its latest Market Brief examining how global trade flows and port performance are shaping Savannah’s industrial market outlook heading into 2026.

• Popular & Political Support Growing For Ban On Cellphones In Georgia High Schools

  January 29, 2026

  Georgia high school sophomores are looking ever more likely to lose their phones during the school day in their senior year, as lawmakers consider expanding a ban on personal devices.

• Port of Savannah Achieves Second Busiest Year Ever

  January 28, 2026

  The Georgia Ports Authority achieved its second busiest year ever in 2025, handling nearly 5.7 million twenty-foot equivalent container units of cargo, an increase of 2.6 percent or 146,000 TEUs compared to 2024.

• Resistance to Data Centers Fuels Flood of Georgia Bills Targeting the Industry

  January 28, 2026

  Anger and opposition to the rapid rise of data centers across Georgia has led to a surge of bills that would clamp down on the resource-consuming industry.

• Aerotech Machining Earns National Recognition as Modern Machine Shop’s Top Shops Honoree in Machining Technology for 2025

  January 27, 2026

  Aerotech Machining has earned national recognition as Modern Machine Shop’s Top Shops Honoree in Machining Technology for 2025.

• BankSouth Celebrates Grand Opening of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Branch

  January 26, 2026

  BankSouth hosted a grand opening celebration on January 22, 2026, marking the official launch of its new on-site banking branch plus ATMs located inside the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) facility in Ellabell, GA.

• Georgia Ports’ Blue Ridge Connector 95% Complete

  January 26, 2026

  Construction on the Blue Ridge Connector is now 95 percent complete. Georgia Ports’ latest addition to its inland rail network will open for operation later this year.

• AG Chris Carr Warns of Price Gouging & Other Scams During Winter Storms

  January 26, 2026

  Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is warning Georgians to be on the lookout for possible scams and price gouging in anticipation of the winter storm that is impacting North Georgia, Metro Atlanta and parts of Central Georgia.

• Bryan County Industry Day Provides Hands-On Career Exploration for Local Students

  January 23, 2026

  The Development Authority of Bryan County recently hosted Industry Day, providing more than 300 eighth-grade students with the opportunity to participate in hands-on industry tours across the county.

• Gov. Kemp Declares State of Emergency, Activates State Operations Center Ahead of Winter Storm

  January 23, 2026

  Governor Brian P. Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency ahead of Winter Storm Fern's impact on the state this weekend. The Governor also directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency to activate the State Operations Center and mobilize any needed resources to address any potential needs around the state.

• Leadership Southeast Georgia Announces the 33 Members of the Class of 2026

  January 22, 2026

  Leadership Southeast Georgia proudly announces the Class of 2026, a diverse group of leaders representing 10 counties in the Southeast Georgia region.

• Georgia’s Economy Is Growing—The 2026 Redbook Shows What Comes Next

  January 22, 2026

  The Georgia Chamber Foundation published the 2026 Economic Competitiveness Redbook (Redbook), the most comprehensive collection of statewide economic data and the Foundation’s annual capstone project.

• Georgia Power Teams Prepared to Respond to Winter Storm Fern

  January 22, 2026

  As Winter Storm Fern brings subfreezing temperatures to the state this weekend, as well as the potential for significant snow and ice, Georgia Power is encouraging customers to take steps now to prepare and stay safe and warm. The company is preparing as well, with crews across the state engaged and ready to safely and quickly respond to potential damage from the storm and restore service for customers.

• Judge Realty Opens New Flagship Office in Savannah, Ga., Will Host Ribbon Cutting and Open House Reception on Jan. 22nd

  January 21, 2026

  Judge Realty – a leading, locally owned commercial, residential and property management firm that has been serving clients for more than 20 years – recently opened a new flagship office in the heart of the city’s Medical Arts District at 5202 Waters Avenue in Savannah, Ga.

• Governor Kemp to Lead Economic Development Mission to Belgium & United Kingdom

  January 21, 2026

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that he and First Lady Marty Kemp will lead an international mission this week to reinforce economic relationships in Belgium and the United Kingdom.

• 2026 Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum Opens Scholarship Application

  January 20, 2026

  The Southeast Georgia Leadership Forum has opened the scholarship application process for the 2026 Forum to ensure the Forum includes emerging, established and diverse leaders from civic groups, non-profits, neighborhoods, government, and business.

• Georgia Southern Recognized for Exceptional Community Engagement in Latest Carnegie Elective Classifications

  January 20, 2026

  Georgia Southern University has earned the 2026 Carnegie Community Engagement Classification, an elective designation awarded by the American Council on Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, in recognition of the University’s commitment to advancing civic engagement, developing practical knowledge, and sparking meaningful, real-world learning for students

• Atlanta Retains Crown as World’s Busiest Airport 2025 While Dubai Gains Ground

  January 20, 2026

  OAG, the leading data platform for the global travel industry, today released its annual ranking of the World’s Busiest Airports for 2025, based on scheduled airline capacity.

• State Investments Strengthen Savannah’s Economic Outlook

  January 16, 2026

  At Wednesday's Georgia Chamber "Eggs & Issues" breakfast and during his annual State of the State address, Governor Brian Kemp outlined his budget proposal to business leaders and state lawmakers, highlighting key investments across Georgia.

• Stuart Countess Transitions to 2026 Chair of the Georgia Chamber

  January 16, 2026

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast, held Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, convened more than 3,000 business and civic leaders from across the state for one of Georgia’s largest and most influential policy events.

• CEO Confidence Improves in Q4 2025 as Leaders Adjust to a New Operating Reality

  January 16, 2026

  Confidence among small and midsize business CEO's saw significant gains in the fourth quarter of 2025 as leaders grew more comfortable operating in ongoing economic uncertainty, according to the latest CEO Confidence Index from Vistage, a CEO coaching and peer advisory organization.