January 2026 Features

• Woodruff Arts Center Unveils Goizueta Stage for Youth & Families & PNC PlaySpace: A Bold New Era for Atlanta’s Youngest Audiences

  January 30, 2026

  The Woodruff Arts Center—home to the Alliance Theatre, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and High Museum of Art—celebrated a transformative milestone: the grand opening of the all-new Goizueta Stage for Youth & Families and PNC PlaySpace, made possible through a successful $67 million capital campaign and years of visionary planning.

• 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.

• Lineup Set For Inaugural Braves Country Fest; Tickets On Sale Today

  January 30, 2026

  The Atlanta Braves and Live Nation announced Braves Country Fest presented by Truist, a first-of-its-kind celebration of country music and Braves baseball, taking place June 13th. The day-long festival will feature free activations and performances at The Battery Atlanta, followed by a star-studded concert lineup inside Truist Park featuring some of the biggest names in country music.

• 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.

• The Stitch Advances with Formation of Stitch, Inc. & Inaugural Board of Directors

  January 29, 2026

  The Stitch project has reached a pivotal milestone with the official formation of Atlanta Downtown Stitch, Inc. and the appointment of its inaugural Board of Directors, advancing plans to create a vibrant new park-centered neighborhood between Midtown and Downtown Atlanta.

• Evernex Opens North American HQ and Technology Center in Alpharetta

  January 29, 2026

  Evernex, a global leader in third-party maintenance and sustainable IT lifecycle services, announces the official opening of its new North American HQ and the Evernex Technology Center in Alpharetta, Georgia.

• 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.

• Atlanta Multifamily Outlook Highlights Resilient Demand, Slower Construction in 2026

  January 28, 2026

  Marcus & Millicha has published its 2026 Atlanta Multifamily Investment Forecast Report.

• 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.

• Kaiser Permanente Acquires 7 Acres in Atlanta’s Summerhill Community, Advancing Long-Term Commitment to Community Health and Economic Vitality

  January 27, 2026

  Kaiser Permanente announced that it has acquired seven acres of land in Atlanta’s historic Summerhill community just south of downtown Atlanta, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to improving community health, expanding access, and supporting sustainable neighborhood development.

• 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.

• Emory Healthcare Unveils Refreshed Brand—Honoring Its Legacy While Advancing the Future of Care

  January 23, 2026

  Emory Healthcare unveiled a refreshed brand identity that reflects the strength of its academic roots, the humanity of its care and its vision for the future of health care—one defined by discovery, innovation and deep community connection.

• Chairman Harry Johnston Delivers Annual 2026 State of Cherokee County Address

  January 23, 2026

  On Wednesday, the Council for Quality Growth, Cherokee County Government, and Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 2026 State of Cherokee County Address at the Cherokee Conference Center in Canton.

• 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.

• Tiger Woods & Arthur Blank Family Foundation to Transform Capitol View Elementary Building into TGR Learning Lab Atlanta

  January 22, 2026

  Atlanta Public Schools today announced a landmark partnership with Tiger Woods’ nonprofit, TGR Foundation, and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to repurpose the former Capitol View Elementary School into the TGR Learning Lab Atlanta, a state-of-the-art learning facility designed to expand access to innovative STEAM education, career exploration, and out-of-school programming for APS students.

• 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.

• Atlanta Regional Commission Swears in Five New Board Members

  January 21, 2026

  The Atlanta Regional Commission swore in five new board members at its meeting last week, including Three are mayors and two citizen members.

• 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.

• 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.

• Atlanta, With Nearly 10× the Fixer‑Uppers of Regional Rivals, Emerges as the Southeast’s Deepest Renovation Market

  January 20, 2026

  According to a new study of Atlanta housing markets released yesterday morning, Atlanta now has nearly 10× more fixer‑upper listings than key Southeast peers, positioning it as the region’s deepest renovation market despite higher headline prices.

• ARC Developing ‘Housing Strategy for the Atlanta Region’ to Address Affordability Challenges

  January 16, 2026

  The Atlanta Regional Commission is developing a comprehensive strategic plan, known as the Housing Strategy for the Atlanta Region – ARC, to address the region’s growing housing affordability challenges.

• Fulton County Economic Development Momentum: Top 20 Nationwide-Three Years Running

  January 16, 2026

  Fulton County continues to demonstrate why it remains one of the nation’s most competitive locations for investment, talent, and long-term growth. In the most recent Site Selection Magazine Top Counties ranking, Fulton County placed No. 13 nationally, maintaining a Top 20 position for the third consecutive year.