August 2026 Features

• MARTA Invites Volunteers to Join the Riders' Advisory Council and Shape the Future of Transit

  August 21, 2026

  The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority is now accepting applications for its Riders’ Advisory Council (RAC). This volunteer council plays a vital role in engagement—gathering real-time feedback from riders, serving as a community sounding board, and sharing key updates on current projects.

• Council for Quality Growth Names Jim Vaught & A.J. Robinson Recipients of 2026 CID Awards

  August 21, 2026

  The Council for Quality Growth proudly announces the recipients of its 17th Annual Community Improvement District (CID) Awards. The 2026 reception and award presentation will honor Jim Vaught, Chairman of Lilburn CID, and A.J. Robinson, President of Downtown Atlanta, Inc.

• 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%.

• YFORE Unveils New North America Headquarters and Facility in Atlanta

  August 20, 2026

  YFORE, a global Tier 1 automotive electronics supplier specializing in intelligent mobility, will celebrate the grand opening of its new North America facility in Atlanta on August 26th. The milestone marks a major step in deepening YFORE's long-term commitment to the North American automotive sector.

• Atlanta Beltline Expands ATL Spoke Pilot, the City's First Autonomous Transit Shuttle

  August 20, 2026

  The Atlanta Beltline is expanding ATL Spoke, the city's first autonomous transit shuttle, to include the Atlanta University Center, some of the city’s most vibrant educational communities. The expanded route provides an additional connection to the already established service between the West End MARTA Station, the Atlanta Beltline Southwest Trail and the Lee + White commercial district.

• New Experiences and Returning Favorites Await Fans at the 2026 TOUR Championship

  August 20, 2026

  While the PGA TOUR’s top 30 players battle for the title of FedExCup Champion, interactive fan venues, beloved gathering spots and signature golf views are designed to elevate the fan experience at the TOUR Championship when it returns to East Lake Golf Club, August 26-30.

• Thomas & Hutton Marks 80 Years of Growth, Leadership, & Community Impact

  August 19, 2026

  Five years can change a company considerably. When Thomas & Hutton celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2021, the firm had 13 offices and was guided by its fifth generation of leadership. Today, T&H enters its 80th year with 19 offices across six states, expanded capabilities through two strategic mergers, and a sixth generation of leaders shaping what comes next.

• Balentine Expands Business Advisory Capabilities With Acquisition Of Valuation Growth Advisory

  August 19, 2026

  Balentine, an independent wealth management firm with more than $9 billion in assets under advisement focused on serving families and business owners, announced the acquisition of Valuation Growth Advisory, the Alpharetta, Ga.-based advisory firm founded by entrepreneur and financial strategist Tom Matthesen in an all stock transaction.

• More Than 400 Gwinnett Leaders Gather to Recognize Governor Brian Kemp’s Leadership and Legacy

  August 18, 2026

  More than 400 business and community leaders gathered at The Westin Atlanta Gwinnett for the Gwinnett Chamber Governor’s Luncheon, presented by Jackson EMC. Attendees heard from Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and recognized his leadership and service to the state as he enters the final months of his second term.

• 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.

• ARC Board Approves Regional Development Plan to Help Shape Growth Through 2050

  August 17, 2026

  The Atlanta Regional Commission Board approved Growing Together for 2050, an updated Regional Development Plan that provides a shared framework for managing growth and improving quality of life across the 11-county Atlanta region over the next 25 years.

• Atlanta Land Trust Appoints David Ogunsanya as Executive Director

  August 17, 2026

  The Atlanta Land Trust, a leading nonprofit dedicated to preserving permanently affordable homeownership opportunities throughout metro Atlanta, today announced the appointment of David Ogunsanya as its new Executive Director.

• Georgia Tech’s Record $6.3B Economic Impact Leads USG Institutions

  August 17, 2026

  Generating $6.3 billion in economic impact for Georgia’s economy in fiscal year 2025, Georgia Tech surpassed its own record and continues to lead all state public universities, according to a University System of Georgia study.

• 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.

• MARTA Board of Directors Names Jonathan Hunt to Permanent GM/CEO Role

  August 14, 2026

  The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Board of Directors today announced the selection of Jonathan Hunt as MARTA’s permanent General Manager and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Hunt has served as interim general manager and CEO since August 2025.

• Atlanta Region Adds 53,690 Residents in Past Year ARC Population Estimates Show

  August 14, 2026

  The 11-county Atlanta region added 53,690 residents between April 2025 and April 2026, bringing the total population to 5,339,164, according to estimates released today by the Atlanta Regional Commission.

• 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.

• Atlanta Technical College Breaks Ground on Historic $30M Renovation of Henry Louis 'Hank' Aaron Academic Complex

  August 13, 2026

  Atlanta Technical College marked a defining moment in its 60-year history Tuesday, breaking ground on the nearly $30 million renovation and expansion of the Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron Academic Complex.

• Fox Theatre Unveils New Arcade Lounge, Continuing the Evolution of its Premium Guest Experience

  August 13, 2026

  The Fox Theatre announced the opening of the newly enclosed Arcade Lounge, the latest enhancement to the Marquee Club presented by Lexus and the next chapter in the continued evolution of the theatre's premium hospitality offerings.

• 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.

• ARC’s 2026 LINK Trip Explores Urban Innovation in Mexico City

  August 12, 2026

  More than 180 government, business, and civic leaders from metro Atlanta will travel to Mexico City this month for the Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2026 LINK trip. It marks the first time the program has visited Mexico.

• 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.