AGP Executive Report

College Sports Policy: Nick Saban told Congress NIL isn’t the same as pay-for-play, but warned the transfer “arms race” and spending are reshaping college football in ways fans won’t recognize. Wine & Trade: Georgia’s National Wine Day push continues with international tours and a Michelin-star showcase in Paris, aiming to grow demand for Georgian wines in key export markets. Data Center Backlash: In California’s Monterey Park, voters approved a data center ban with overwhelming support, a reminder that local opposition can quickly derail tech expansion plans. Local Business Pressure: Northlake Mall tenants in Tucker say they’re being forced out on short notice after the mall was sold, raising concerns about lease terminations and city awareness. World Cup Readiness: A metro Atlanta coalition is questioning whether the city is prepared for World Cup arrivals amid last-minute construction, flooding, and utility failures. Georgia Economy & Costs: Georgia gas prices jumped after Gov. Kemp ended the fuel tax suspension, restoring about 30 cents per gallon. Food Safety: FDA is investigating two new outbreaks—listeria and cyclosporiasis—plus additional Salmonella cases tied to moringa supplements. Corporate Moves: INNIO priced an upsized IPO, signaling continued investor appetite for energy infrastructure plays.

Data & Water Stewardship: Google says it’s committing $17 million to water projects and launching five new water-stewardship efforts tied to data-center operations, as drought and stressed supplies collide with AI-driven growth. Atlanta Real Estate: The Atlanta Beltline bought the Willoughby office building for $16.5 million to preserve more affordable commercial space along the Eastside Trail. NFL Business: The Falcons agreed to a four-year, $141 million extension with WR Drake London, keeping him as a long-term go-to target while QB competition continues. Public Safety Funding: Jackson County approved $167,000 in SPLOST funds for a mobile command unit for the Sheriff’s Office. Agri-Marketing: Georgia pecan growers voted to continue the Georgia Pecan Commission marketing order through 2029, keeping the assessment at $0.01 per pound for qualifying acreage. Local Economy Boost: Macon’s Cherry Blossom Festival reported $6.9 million in economic impact and 282,004 attendees for 2026. Healthcare Expansion: Morehouse School of Medicine is partnering with the City of Atlanta on plans for a major hospital development in Southwest Atlanta, with early estimates around $800 million.

Falcons Deal-Making: Atlanta agreed to a four-year, $141 million extension for WR Drake London, with $100 million guaranteed—cementing him as a long-term go-to target as QB competition continues. Fuel Costs Watch: Georgia’s gas tax suspension is ending, and drivers and bus operators say prices are already climbing again, squeezing budgets for road-dependent businesses. Education Budgeting: Bibb County schools tentatively approved a FY 2027 budget that avoids staff step increases but adds state literacy coaches and shifts paraprofessional funding, while also studying possible elementary school consolidations/closures. Local Governance: Dunwoody plans to keep its property tax millage at 3.040 (with a homestead rollback), but rising DeKalb assessments mean non-homestead and commercial owners could pay more. Energy/Industry Rules: Richmond Hill upheld a zoning decision blocking nickel refining at the former Caesarstone site, pushing any such plan toward rezoning. Food Transparency: New shrimp genetic testing in Savannah and other Gulf markets found ongoing misrepresentation of imported shrimp despite disclosure signage. Public Safety: The FBI is offering a $10,000 reward for information on escaped Jesup federal inmate Arthur Cofield, described as armed and dangerous.

Georgia Gas Prices: A temporary state gas tax break expires Tuesday night, adding about $0.33 per gallon and pushing prices closer to the national average. Energy Regulation: The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a Georgia Power rate cut, with customers set to see smaller bills after the new plan takes effect. Data Centers & Power Demand: Georgia communities are bracing for more data center growth as regulators and residents debate whether the new load will raise costs or strain local infrastructure. Workforce Impact: Spirit Airlines’ shutdown is hitting metro Atlanta hard, with a WARN notice showing 653 job cuts at Hartsfield-Jackson, including 511 flight attendants. Healthcare Access: Grady opened a new 24/7 emergency department in Union City (South Fulton), part of a broader medical campus plan. Legal/Consumer: Georgia’s car-wreck lawsuit ecosystem remains under scrutiny, with insurers pushing for more disclosure into how cases are handled. Politics: Georgia’s 6th District race is heating up as Lucy McBath seeks a fourth term against Republican Kevin Martin. Business & Community: Atlanta Civic Circle is shutting down, citing funding challenges for its local policy newsroom.

Energy & Costs: Georgia Power customers are set for about a $4-a-month cut after the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a new rate plan, using federal nuclear tax credits to offset fuel and storm-related costs. Elections & Governance: Runoff candidates for Georgia Secretary of State sparred over election methods, including QR codes vs. paper ballots, as early voting runs June 8–12 ahead of the June 16 vote. Public Safety Tech: A drone-based active-shooter pilot will launch this fall in five Georgia high schools, funded with $550,000 in the 2026 budget. Local Development & Community Pushback: Maysville residents packed meetings to question a proposed data center over noise, water and electricity impacts; the city is weighing a moratorium and a town hall before late July. Infrastructure: GDOT will fully close I-285 (MLK Jr. Dr. to Cascade Rd.) June 5–8 for major rebuilding, with major metro detours expected. Business & Finance: Georgia’s bond market grew 10.2% in 2025, while the National Bank of Georgia outlined a fintech strategy for 2027–2031.

Economic Development: Gov. Kemp announced ArcelorMittal Building Solutions is bringing its North American HQ and a new manufacturing facility to Macon-Bibb, a roughly $57 million investment expected to create up to 70 jobs, with more planned. Energy & Regulation: Utilities are now arguing data centers could lower electricity bills, but Georgia regulators and consumer advocates want proof that new demand won’t trigger costly grid upgrades. Agriculture Policy: Georgia’s agriculture minister says the country can compete on high-quality exports, highlighting reforms focused on better monitoring, expanded extension services, and faster access to knowledge and technology for farmers. Business & Courts: A Duluth-based company that tracks eviction records is drawing attention to how eviction notices differ from eviction records—and how consumers should interpret databases. Workforce & Small Business: SBA’s Freedom 250 Patriot Pitch competition is open for entrepreneurs, offering a $1 million prize pool and a live pitch event in Washington, D.C. Local Economy: A Central Georgia market, Village Marketplace in Macon, is closing after struggling to keep up its local-supplier model. Tech & Finance: Uniti launched a second Kinetic Fiber securitisation notes offering, with assets tied to residential fiber networks including Georgia.

Transit & Infrastructure: MARTA is resuming full fare collection as its new Breeze fare gates activate systemwide, closing previously open gates and requiring riders to tap with compatible payment methods. World Cup Readiness: Atlanta is adding solar-powered, ADA-accessible smart restrooms along the BeltLine for FIFA visitors, with QR/text/app access and added amenities like baby changing stations and menstrual products. Energy & Tech Growth: RevaTerra, an AI-powered bioenergy company, is joining New York Tech Week as demand rises for scalable renewable energy for industrial infrastructure. Clean Energy Jobs: A new American Clean Power Association report says the U.S. has 825 active clean energy manufacturing facilities, supporting 215,700 total jobs and $20B+ in GDP from 2025 construction/expansions. Local Politics: A Dalton ballot question on restoring a Confederate statue drew strong GOP support (86%) but isn’t legally binding, leaving the outcome uncertain. Healthcare Modernization: CommonSpirit is highlighting “smart hospital” tech and digital integration to reduce admin burden and improve patient care.

NBA Finals Watch: The Spurs beat the Thunder and set up a Spurs–Knicks Finals matchup, with Victor Wembanyama’s rise colliding with Jalen Brunson’s bid to end New York’s 53-year title drought. NFL Free Agency: Tyreek Hill remains unsigned after the Dolphins released him following a severe knee injury, leaving his 2026 plans in limbo. Georgia Power & State Policy: Georgia regulators voted to lower Georgia Power utility rates, with the decision tied to fuel-rate changes and data-center cost concerns. Elections & Runoffs: Georgia’s primary runoffs are approaching, with GOP governor and U.S. Senate races still unsettled while Democrats consolidate after Keisha Lance Bottoms’ win. World Cup Prep in Georgia: The U.S. men’s team begins World Cup warmups with a friendly vs. Senegal in Charlotte, 11 days before kickoff. Local Business & Community: MomoCon 2026 in Atlanta hit a record 67,277 unique visitors and donated $10,000 to a mental health nonprofit. Public Safety: A helicopter crash in Dawson County killed two and injured one, with the aircraft returning from a North Georgia wedding venue. Fire Incident: A Sherwin-Williams paint store in Chamblee caught fire; officials say it was contained with no injuries.

Airport Infrastructure: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is opening a new $441 million, seven-level Domestic Terminal South parking deck with more than 7,000 spaces on June 1, a long-awaited upgrade meant to cut congestion and modernize the passenger experience. Energy & Utilities: Georgia Power customers are set to see lower bills after the Georgia Public Service Commission approved a rate plan and a separate $285 million cut, with regulators also backing a fuel deal tied to data center cost concerns. Local Business & Retail: Krog District in Atlanta is leaning into “small business” creativity with book and mini print vending machines that drive foot traffic for nearby shops. Food & Hospitality: Metro Atlanta’s dining scene gets a boost as Avize lands on North America’s 50 Best Restaurants list, while local coverage highlights new openings and closures. Public Safety & Community: A Guardsman Group fire has sent a third victim to Atlanta for medical treatment, following two earlier airlifts. Labor Market Snapshot: A new national unemployment map shows widening gaps between states, with some regions cooling while others stay tight.

Utility Relief: The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a Georgia Power rate plan expected to cut bills by about $4.04 per month for the average residential customer, tied to fuel and storm cost recovery changes. Funding & Growth: Atlanta logistics software firm Stord raised $250 million in a Series F round, valuing it around $3 billion, to expand software and operations and launch Stord Labs for physical AI and robotics. Local Business & Community: Griffin’s ABWA Iris Chapter raised $19,462 through a sold-out “Drive the Runway” fashion show to support college scholarships and the Salvation Army’s After School Program. Public Safety & Crime: Authorities are searching for Arthur Cofield, a Georgia man who escaped a federal prison camp in Jessup while serving an 11+ year fraud sentence. Business Security: Atlanta police warned World Cup visitors about unpermitted parking lots and vendors, with citations or arrests for scammers. Real Estate/Policy Watch: Statesboro City Council will hold a second public hearing on a downscaled data centers ordinance, including a ban on “hyperscale” sites over 50 acres. Workforce/Tech: Tanner Health in west Georgia launched an AI voice assistant to reduce call center hold times and streamline patient access.

Georgia Power Rates: The Georgia Public Service Commission approved lower utility rates, with customers set to save about $50 a year starting next month. Housing & Credit: Foreclosure inventory rose to a six-year high in the first quarter, with more metro areas seeing higher delinquency-related activity. Finance & Capital Markets: Bank of Georgia priced $300 million of 6.50% notes due 2031, while Octave Holdings & Investments sold Alpharetta’s Rivermont Square shopping center for about $18.95 million. Tax Administration: A new IRS staffing and workload shift is pushing practitioners toward AI as the agency leans into a digital-first enforcement model amid major tax-law changes. Tourism & Local Business: Savannah horse carriage operators won an injunction allowing rides when temperatures hit 85 degrees, reviving a fight with the city’s heat ordinance. World Cup Logistics: The FAA announced “No Drone Zones” around U.S. World Cup venues, with fines up to $100,000 for violations. Atlanta Consumer Watch: MARTA ends its grace period and will require riders to tap for the new fare system starting May 30.

Public Transit & Fares: MARTA is ending its May grace period and starting this weekend will require riders to tap a bank card, mobile wallet, new Breeze card, or ticket to enter rail stations as the Breeze fare gates system fully activates. Energy & Regulation: The Georgia Public Service Commission approved Georgia Power rate changes that cut typical residential bills by about $4 a month (about $285 million total per year), after a 3-2 vote rejected some amendments and set the framework for fuel and storm-cost recovery. Public Safety Tech: Five Georgia high schools will pilot pepper-spray-armed tactical drones this fall to respond to active shooters, with drones launched from boxes inside schools and operated by a human. Courts & Accountability: A federal judge in the 11th Circuit remains on the bench after a private reprimand tied to an extramarital affair and sex in chambers, according to a court-system investigation. Local Crime: Atlanta police are seeking a woman accused of robbing a Buckhead Wells Fargo, with authorities offering up to $5,000 for tips leading to an arrest. Mobility Tech: Waymo resumed self-driving service on Atlanta roads after pausing operations due to flooding and severe storms. Business & Finance (Georgia): Georgia’s banking sector reported 2025 returns of 3.3% on assets and 22.3% on equity, while the credit portfolio shifted toward corporate/retail and away from micro, small, and medium segments.

Mixed-Use Push in Gwinnett: Portman Holdings is seeking approval for a major Duluth development—up to 1,400 homes plus medical offices and commercial space—after a rezoning request triggered a Development of Regional Impact review. Atlanta Economy Watch: The Atlanta Fed cut its Q1 GDPNow estimate to 1.6% as net exports weaken and consumer spending cools. Waymo Returns After Flood Pause: Waymo resumed autonomous service in Atlanta after vehicles stalled in floodwaters; the company says it’s updating operations and software for flooded-road conditions. Data Centers Meet Backlash: A growing national push is forming against AI data centers, with new state actions on energy and water reporting and calls for standards or moratoriums. Public Safety & Courts: Fulton County’s Robert Aaron Long trial hit an impasse over the lack of qualified death-penalty defense counsel, with venue likely shifting to Columbia County for the Apalachee High School case. Business & Community Funding: SBA opened a disaster loan outreach center for Brantley County wildfire survivors, offering low-interest physical damage and economic injury loans. Local Growth & Jobs: HYLO Fitness announced an Alpharetta studio opening, expanding its boutique franchise footprint. Sports Business: The Braves are sticking with scuffling shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, with manager Walt Weiss saying it’s a matter of time after injury.

World Cup Watch: Atlanta is gearing up for FIFA World Cup 2026 with eight matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, organizers projecting $500M+ in regional economic impact and a full schedule from June 15 through the July 15 semifinal. City Finance & Oversight: Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens defended a controversial $5.5B neighborhood reinvestment plan at a marathon City Council committee meeting, as critics pressed for audits and oversight of tax allocation districts. Real Estate & Development: Colliers says Georgia’s office market is stable with steady growth signals in its 2025 overview, while Milton begins a $2.9M bridge replacement that will trigger detours for up to five months. Public Health & Water: Elevated E. coli in the Chattahoochee River is forcing temporary closures across parts of metro Atlanta after days of heavy rain. Business & Permitting: Georgia DNR is seeking public comment on a draft Title V air permit for Anheuser-Busch’s Cartersville brewery. Consumer Pressure: Primerica’s Household Budget Index points to affordability strain for middle-income families, with gas prices driving the April decline. Local Crime: Police are searching for a woman who robbed a Buckhead Wells Fargo, taking about $4,000.

Georgia Power Rate Fight: A consumer group says Georgia Power’s looming rate plan could effectively raise bills about 4.6% starting June 1, arguing the utility is shifting gas pipeline costs onto average customers while shielding data centers. Transit Readiness: MARTA’s new railcars still haven’t passed key safety tests, adding pressure to a $707M upgrade as the World Cup approaches. Online Child Safety Policy: U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s REPORT Act is credited with a sharp jump in big-tech reports of child sex trafficking, and Georgia’s attorney general is backing stronger online protections that preserve state authority. Local Education Leadership: Bryan County BOE names Richmond Hill High principal Bivens Miller as sole finalist to replace retiring superintendent Dr. Paul Brooksher. Agriculture Under Drought: Southeastern cattle producers are making hard choices as extreme drought stretches from Georgia into neighboring states, forcing hay purchases and tighter grazing plans. Business & Real Estate: A new independent land brokerage launches in the region, while a self-storage sale in the Southeast highlights continued investor appetite for industrial assets. Labor Spotlight: Atlanta Waffle House workers rally for higher pay and safer shifts, pushing back on wage and tipping practices.

World Cup Arrival: The U.S. men’s national team touched down in metro Atlanta ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with fans lining the route and local businesses pitching the tournament as a commerce boost. Power & Data Centers: Georgia Power is moving fast on Project Wansley, using eminent domain to seize homes and easements for a 35-mile, 500-kilovolt line feeding AI data centers—sparking a growing fight from residents and lawmakers. Housing & Cost Pressure: New reporting says condo prices in bigger markets have already fallen as much as 33% from peaks, adding to affordability worries. Public Safety & Services: CBP is running a Global Entry enrollment event in Jacksonville for conditionally approved applicants from northeast Florida and southeast Georgia. Local Government Watch: Newnan is approving a plan to self-perform much of a costly police firearms training facility renovation to save nearly $1.5 million.