AGP Executive Report

Home Remodeling: Hill Residential Contractors LLC is marketing a full-service approach to kitchen, bath, basement and flooring renovations in Dacula, aiming to cut the usual scheduling and communication headaches of multi-room projects. Veterinary & Agriculture Policy: Georgia’s Minister Davit Songulashvili told the WOAH 93rd General Session in Paris that stronger veterinary systems are essential for food security, public health, and export competitiveness. Biodiversity Outreach: Georgia marked International Day for Biological Diversity with a public event highlighting conservation work, protected areas, and a photography contest. Energy Costs: Georgia Power shared practical HVAC and summer habits to help households reduce air-conditioning-driven bills as the hurricane season begins. Fuel Watch (GA): GasBuddy reports show some of the lowest prices in the week ending May 30, including regular at $3.69 in Evans County and premium at $4.14 in Monroe County. Multifamily Real Estate: Centerspace plans to sell about $240M–$245M of properties as part of a portfolio optimization, targeting balance-sheet strength. Broadband Expansion: Kinetic says it has surpassed 2 million fiber premises built across its 18-state footprint, including Georgia. Healthcare Investment: Private equity firm Kain Capital is backing RadX’s outpatient imaging expansion across multiple states, including Georgia. Airport Construction: Hartsfield-Jackson marked progress on Concourse D with new gates opening ahead of schedule.

World Cup Readiness: A local coalition is raising alarms about Atlanta’s World Cup 2026 readiness, pointing to last-minute construction, flooding, and utility failures as games near. Transit & Stadium Ops: MARTA is still running safety testing on new train cars and is replacing glass on fare gates, while road and sidewalk work around Mercedes-Benz Stadium continues. Food Safety: The FDA is investigating two fresh outbreaks—Listeria and Cyclospora—plus a third Salmonella wave tied to moringa supplement capsules. Data Centers & Power: Data-center expansion remains a flashpoint, with debate continuing in Georgia communities over land use, tax incentives, and infrastructure strain. Local Business Pressure: Northlake Mall tenants in Tucker say they’re being forced out on short notice after the mall was sold. Agriculture & Weather: Dickey Farms reports a cooler spring and fewer peaches shipped north, but expects plenty locally through August. Energy Costs: Georgia gas prices are climbing after the state’s motor fuel tax suspension expired. Health Research: IDefine and UT Southwestern announced a gene-therapy collaboration targeting EHMT1 for Kleefstra syndrome. Wine Exports: Georgian wine promotion continues in France with Paris tastings tied to National Wine Day. Corporate Notice: Cartersville construction firm D. A. Baker Construction, Inc. filed a notice of intent to dissolve. Entertainment & Tourism: State Farm Arena unveiled a World Cup-aligned summer concert lineup featuring Shakira and Ariana Grande.

Construction & Permits: Atlanta-area inspection firm Armor Residential & Commercial Inspection says it’s expanding services as metro construction permits rise 23% year-over-year, adding more commercial, industrial and residential inspection and consulting. Local Infrastructure: Sandy Springs officials are pushing faster sidewalk and path builds, citing walkability demand and a 2026 TSPLOST sidewalk budget of $16 million. Agriculture: Georgia pecan growers voted to keep the Georgia Pecan Commission Marketing Order through 2029, maintaining a $0.01-per-pound assessment for qualifying growers to fund education, promotion and research. Energy & Water: Google announced new water-stewardship commitments tied to data center operations, including $17 million for projects in Nebraska, Iowa and other states. Data Centers & Politics: Court review of $15 billion in data center bonds highlights how local and state rules are colliding with hyperscale expansion. Business Tech: Phobio for Business won a 2026 MSP Today Product of the Year Award. Aviation/World Cup: Virgin Atlantic ran a special Airbus A350 charter that landed in Atlanta’s orbit as teams prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

NBA Finals (Georgia sports angle): The Knicks and Spurs open the 2026 NBA Finals in San Antonio on Wednesday, with both teams treating the moment as brand-new territory despite long waits for a title shot. Public policy & workforce training: Georgia-Pacific teamed with Diboll High School to launch a technical skills course aimed at feeding Georgia’s manufacturing talent pipeline, with students earning their first certifications and moving into shadowing next year. Energy & utilities (Georgia data): New reporting highlights Georgia’s growing electricity imports and rising natural gas consumption, alongside regulatory fee totals tied to the energy and water sectors. Food integrity: SeaD’s latest shrimp testing for the Southern Shrimp Alliance found continued misrepresentation of imported shrimp in restaurant dishes, including results from Savannah, Georgia. Manufacturing/auto: Kia began production of its Sportage Hybrid line at Hyundai’s Georgia metaplant, marking the plant’s first Kia model build and hybrid powertrain work. Local industry & zoning: Statesboro approved an ordinance that could allow data centers up to 50 acres in certain zones, but only with special permits and strict cooling, noise, and decommissioning requirements.

Georgia Power & energy costs: Georgia Power is rolling out free and low-cost tips to help customers cut summer electricity use, from HVAC filter changes to sealing drafts and shifting laundry to off-peak hours. Fuel prices: Georgia gas prices are set to rise about 33 cents per gallon as the temporary gas tax suspension expires Tuesday, June 2. Data centers & community pushback: Erin Brockovich launched a national tracking effort for AI data centers, highlighting growing local conflict over environmental and social impacts; in Maysville, residents again pressed city leaders on noise, water, power demand, and legality concerns, with officials discussing a possible moratorium. Manufacturing expansion: ArcelorMittal Building Solutions will open its North American headquarters and a new manufacturing facility in Macon-Bibb, with about $57 million in investment and up to 70 jobs. Logistics & freight: Open Road Ventures acquired Double-Stack Logistics to expand intermodal services as shippers seek lower-cost options amid higher fuel prices. Public safety infrastructure: Roswell cut the ribbon on a new $10.6 million E-911 Emergency Communications Center, funded by a 2022 public safety bond. Cyber & legal: Charter Communications faces class-action lawsuits tied to an alleged data breach exposing tens of millions of records. Food & retail: Slutty Vegan announced new franchise deals in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., as it deepens franchising growth.

Georgia Power Rates: The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a new rate agreement that cuts typical residential bills by about $4 a month (roughly $285 million a year), using federal nuclear production tax credits to deliver relief. Metro Atlanta Construction: GDOT will fully close I-285 (MLK Jr. Drive to Cascade Road) June 5-8, with major detours and expected congestion across the region. Data Center Backlash: Maysville residents packed city meetings to question a proposed data center, citing noise, water and electricity impacts, and the council is weighing a moratorium. Local Industry & Jobs: Jefferson officials held a first hearing for “Project Orchid,” a proposed 158-acre metal manufacturing site for electrical switchgear; residents raised concerns and a large petition is circulating. Public Safety Tech: Georgia will pilot drone-based active-shooter suppression in five schools this fall, funded through the 2026 state budget. Coastal Resilience: Georgia Tech’s salt marsh restoration project was selected for Revive & Restore’s inaugural Climate Resilience Fund cohort, aiming to scale restoration with AI-enabled plant production and probiotics. Storm Impacts: Reports of hail and downed trees hit parts of the Upstate and Northeast Georgia, with power outages and damage logged.

Macon-Bibb Manufacturing Boost: Gov. Kemp announced ArcelorMittal Building Solutions will open its North American HQ and a new insulated building-systems plant in Macon-Bibb, with about $57M in initial investment and up to 70 jobs, plus potential follow-on expansion. Data Centers and Power Bills: Utilities—including Georgia Power—are arguing data centers could lower electricity bills by spreading fixed costs, but regulators and consumer advocates want clear proof on when that claim holds up. Housing Records Clarity: A Duluth-based data solutions firm explains how eviction notices differ from eviction public records and why landlords must understand database reliability before using court data. Agriculture Reform Focus: Georgia’s agriculture minister says the country can’t win on mass commodities but can compete on high-quality exports, pointing to a reform built around stronger monitoring and expanded extension services. Workforce Pipeline: Thousands of students and professionals are in Atlanta for SkillsUSA, highlighting careers from robotics and manufacturing to IT, healthcare, and skilled trades. Local Industry Spotlight: Dalton’s carpet legacy is profiled as the city’s mills once produced about half the world’s carpet—while new industry could reshape its future. Sports & Culture: The World Congress of the International Organization of Vine and Wine is set for Georgia in 2027, and the Knicks’ NBA Finals run is framed as a long-awaited rematch with the Spurs.

Clean Energy Manufacturing: A new American Clean Power Association report says the U.S. has 825 active clean energy manufacturing facilities, supporting about 215,700 jobs and adding major construction-driven economic gains in 2025. Energy Infrastructure & Bioenergy: RevaTerra, an AI-powered bioenergy firm, announced its co-founders will attend New York Tech Week as demand rises for scalable, dispatchable energy from forestry and agricultural residuals. Healthcare Tech: CommonSpirit Memorial Hospital North Georgia highlights how “smart” hospital tools and more standardized, digital workflows are reducing administrative burden and improving patient care. Transit & Mobility: MARTA is resuming fare collection as its Breeze fare gates fully activate systemwide, with riders tapping cards or mobile wallets to enter stations. Industrial Development Watch: Jefferson’s planning commission will hear the 158-acre “Project Orchid” proposal for a large metal manufacturing facility, with residents raising water and environmental concerns. Road Construction: GDOT warns of lane closures and delays on I-95 and I-16 starting Sunday through June 6. Agriculture & Community: Banks County is set to host a Family Farm Day with hands-on ag learning for families.

Energy & Utilities: Georgia Power customers are set to see lower bills after the Georgia Public Service Commission voted on a new rate plan, with regulators also backing a disputed fuel deal amid data-center cost concerns. Public Works & Mobility: Georgia DOT warned of lane closures on I-285 in metro Atlanta this weekend, while MARTA fare enforcement and Breeze card support continue rolling out. Industrial & Logistics: UPS is investing $50 million to transform logistics for North American automotive and industrial manufacturers and expand air freight operations in Mexico—an efficiency push that could ripple through Georgia’s supply chains. Healthcare Innovation: At SNMMI 2026, researchers shared new findings on PSMA radioligand therapy for advanced prostate cancer, including safety and renal function stability during treatment. Agriculture & Food Security: A Georgia farmer is pushing back against bureaucratic overreach in the fight for food freedom, and a new survey flags growing concern over agricultural security. Tech & Data Centers: Local governments in Georgia are weighing data-center backlash, including a second public hearing in Statesboro on downscaled plans.

Energy & Logistics: UPS is investing nearly $50 million to expand network capabilities and add dedicated teams for automotive and industrial manufacturers, aiming to boost resilience amid supply-chain pressure. Aviation & Infrastructure: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport opens a new seven-level $441 million Domestic Terminal South parking deck with 7,000+ spaces, a major upgrade after decades-old facilities. Public Safety: Forsyth County deputies arrested a driver after a Memorial Day stop on GA 400 found the driver clocked at 104 mph in a 55-mph construction zone. Agriculture & Food Security: A UF/IFAS survey finds growing public concern across the Southeast about pests and diseases, with strong support for regulations to reduce agricultural disease spread. Data Centers & Power Costs: A national look at data-center backlash shows more cities and states pausing or tightening rules as residents push back on electricity prices and environmental impacts. Local Business & Retail: Krog District in Atlanta is adding foot-traffic-friendly book and mini print vending machines for shoppers. Health & Environment: Research suggests mosquitoes may learn to associate DEET with food, raising questions about how well the repellent works over time.

Energy & Regulation: The Georgia Public Service Commission approved a plan expected to cut Georgia Power bills by about $4.04 per month for a typical residential customer, translating to roughly $285 million in annual savings statewide, tied to reduced fuel and storm recovery charges. Transit & Fares: MARTA will resume fare enforcement Saturday after a month-long grace period, with riders expected to pay when entering or exiting stations as open gates close under the Better Breeze system rollout. Local Governance & Data Centers: Statesboro City Council will hold a second public hearing June 2 on a downscaled data centers ordinance, including a ban on “hyperscale” facilities larger than 50 acres. Workforce & Skills: Georgia Tech won first place at the EcoCAR EV Challenge after reengineering a Cadillac LYRIQ and scoring strongly in connected driving and automation tests. Logistics & Tech Investment: Atlanta-based Stord raised $250 million in Series F funding at about a $3 billion valuation to expand software and operations, including Stord Labs for physical AI and robotics. Water Infrastructure: Coweta County opened a new Chattahoochee River raw water pump station, enabling up to 13 million gallons per day once a transmission main is completed. Food & Consumer Protection: Georgia’s Shrimp Transparency Act (HB 117) signed by Gov. Kemp requires restaurants to label shrimp as locally sourced or imported, starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Transit & Infrastructure: MARTA will restart fare payments Saturday as its Better Breeze system gates and emergency doors fully activate after a grace period, with older gates staying open only where Breeze work isn’t finished. Healthcare Construction: Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton’s expanded ER opens July 25, adding 27 treatment rooms, a doubled waiting area, a stroke assessment room, two trauma rooms, 200 parking spaces, and building on its Phase I completion. Public Safety: Atlanta Fire Rescue cleared a Georgia Tech research facility after a reported fluorine leak tied to a gas cabinet; occupants evacuated, crews monitored air, and no injuries were reported. Energy Policy & Bills: Georgia Power customers are set to see lower bills after PSC-approved rate adjustments and storm recovery cost approvals. Business & Legal: Paul Hastings added Tyler Brown in Atlanta as an energy regulatory partner from King & Spalding. Local Economy & Food: Bourbon Barrel Foods marks 20 years at Atlanta Market with a founder meet-and-greet and a new artisan chocolate line.

Georgia Power Rates: The Georgia Public Service Commission voted to lower Georgia Power utility rates starting June 1, cutting typical residential bills by about $4 a month (roughly $285 million statewide per year) after a three-year freeze and new fuel/storm cost adjustments. Regulatory Watch: The PSC also approved a stipulated fuel cost recovery deal that keeps Georgia Power automatically passing along fuel costs, despite proposed amendments aimed at adding more cost-control incentives. Wireless Permitting: The 11th Circuit rejected a “significant gap” standard for individual wireless permit denials, saying effective-prohibition claims must target the broader zoning framework, not one-off decisions. Data Centers Backlash: In Port Wentworth, residents are pushing for a moratorium on new data center approvals, arguing the city is moving too fast after zoning changes opened the door to more projects. Logistics & Industry Real Estate: Hall County approved a rezoning for a 161,676-sq.-ft. automotive parts distribution warehouse in the south part of the county. Infrastructure: GDOT scheduled another full weekend shutdown of part of I-285 for June 5-8, warning of major metro Atlanta travel impacts.

Real Estate & Growth: Portman Holdings is seeking rezoning approval for a major mixed-use project in Duluth—up to 1,400 homes plus medical and commercial space—an early-stage plan that could be one of its biggest metro-area moves outside Atlanta. Public Safety Tech: Georgia will fund a pilot using human-piloted drones to help respond to active-shooter threats in five schools this fall, with $550,000 in the 2026 budget supporting the Campus Guardian Angel system. STEM in Schools: Citizens for Nuclear Technology Awareness awarded up to $1,000 grants to four local teachers for hands-on STEM projects, including robotics and nuclear science, backed by partners tied to the Vogtle area. Business & Consumer: Blaze Pizza was named to Fast Casual’s Top 100 Movers & Shakers list, while Moxie Labs rolled out FNGRFOOD, a cloud customer-experience platform aimed at restaurant ordering and loyalty. Local Economy Watch: The Atlanta Fed cut its Q1 GDPNow estimate to 1.6% as consumer spending softens and net exports weaken. Industry & Logistics: YMX Logistics highlighted its tech-enabled yard operations and electrification push in a transportation innovation profile. Community & Education: Georgia State University’s student film festival returned with awards spanning documentary, fiction, and experimental work. Sports Note: The Braves said they won’t bench scuffling shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, citing the need for time to catch up after a finger injury.

Healthcare Design: Georgia Tech research highlights how “positive distraction” in pediatric settings can ease anxiety and support healing, even if it can’t replace medical care. Commercial Real Estate: Colliers’ 2025 office market overview points to steady growth signals for Georgia’s office sector. Workforce & Courts: A new National Center for State Courts “Data Literacy for Courts” course (piloted in Georgia) aims to boost how court staff interpret and use data. Local Parks & Water Quality: DeKalb County begins Phase 1 construction to reopen Intrenchment Creek Park after a long-running land-swap dispute. Environmental Enforcement: Chattahoochee Riverkeeper files a federal lawsuit over alleged stormwater pollution tied to a Columbus apartment construction site. World Cup Prep: Atlanta restaurants move to 20% automatic gratuity ahead of World Cup crowds. Energy & Cost Pressure: Primerica’s Household Budget Index shows middle-income affordability slipping in April, driven largely by higher gas prices. Public Safety & Transit: Atlanta-area World Cup readiness includes major stadium signage changes and match scheduling updates. Gas Prices Watch: Multiple Georgia counties report diesel price snapshots from GasBuddy’s May 16 reporting week. Education & Industry Pipeline: A Milton High senior wins 3D modeling honors and is heading into mechanical/aerospace-focused summer programming.

Education Leadership: Bryan County BOE names Richmond Hill High principal Bivens Miller as sole finalist to replace retiring superintendent Dr. Paul Brooksher, with a May 28 vote expected. Agriculture & Water: Extreme drought is forcing Southeastern cattle producers to buy hay and cut yields, with grass managers scrambling to protect forage quality. Energy Rates: As a Georgia Power rate decision nears, Georgians for Affordable Energy argues the plan effectively raises costs for average customers while shielding data centers. Data Centers & Local Control: Jackson County residents push back on “Project Orchid,” a secretive Jefferson-area manufacturing proposal, while a separate local effort calls for stopping data center projects over power, water, and community impacts. Transit & Safety: MARTA’s new trains haven’t cleared key safety tests ahead of the World Cup, adding pressure to a $707 million rail upgrade. Roads & Infrastructure: Tucker Road in Macon reopens after downed power lines; Dunwoody advances a North Peachtree Road multi-use path deal with GDOT. Business & Growth: Yamaha Outdoor Access Initiative awards $237,000 in Q1 grants to trail and recreation projects, including in Georgia.