AGP Executive Report

Data Centers & Power Demand: A new report says big tech is mapping dozens of data-center projects on or near Native American tribal lands, with federal policy pushing faster development and raising concerns about water and electricity strain on rural frontline communities. Construction Safety in Midtown Atlanta: Neighbors are demanding action after scaffolding on an abandoned high-rise development in Midtown collapsed, with reports suggesting a car may have hit the walkway; officials are still determining the cause. Local Development & Jobs: Alpharetta’s North Point Mall redevelopment team held a town hall on traffic, building heights and taxes for a proposed sports-and-entertainment district anchored by a 20,000-seat hockey arena. Energy & Costs: GasBuddy data shows Georgia diesel prices easing in the week ending July 4, with multiple counties reporting single-station lows around the mid-$4 range. Geothermal Progress: Fervo says it’s accelerating geothermal drilling at Utah’s Cape Station, reporting faster well builds and progress toward more capacity—an industry signal for Georgia’s broader clean-energy pipeline.

Downtown Atlanta Safety: Scaffolding and debris fell from the long-stalled Campanile Building (The Midtowne) at 1155 Peachtree St, leaving damage on nearby 14th Street; the cause wasn’t immediately clear, but the property has been a city blight flashpoint. Local Zoning & Retail: Tucker will consider a drive-through for 7 Brew at 4270 Lawrenceville Highway, balancing pedestrian goals against the site’s current abandonment and septic constraints. Consumer Protection: Georgia Department of Agriculture issued a juice advisory for Danielle’s Fresh Pressed Juice Blend products sold at Food Depot and convenience stores, citing lack of process authority. Energy & Solar Supply Chain: Qcells says it is delivering major Arizona solar-plus-storage phases (Atlas V and VI) using domestically manufactured modules from its Georgia facility. Film Industry Leadership: Lee Thomas announced her retirement as deputy commissioner of the Georgia Film Office, ending a long run helping grow Georgia’s screen production economy. Metro Economy Watch: Georgia Southern’s Q1 2026 monitor says Savannah-area growth slowed sharply, with retail and airport activity down and employment gains weak. Weather/Infrastructure: Heavy rain and flooding in Telavi, Georgia damaged homes, businesses, power lines, and farmland, with officials coordinating recovery and infrastructure restoration.

MLB Draft (Georgia talent): The Chicago White Sox took UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky No. 1, while the Atlanta Braves landed Saskatchewan standout Carter Beck in the first round—another Georgia-area pipeline reminder for pro baseball. Local sports spotlight: Etowah High’s Trevor Condon was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals (13th overall), with scouts praising his speed, contact, and work ethic. Public safety/consumer: Georgia AG Anne Lopez joined a multistate push urging the FCC to tighten rules that block scammers from using legitimate phone numbers for robocalls. Cyber/insurance: Atlanta-based AssuranceAmerica disclosed a major breach affecting nearly 7 million people, warning that a credit freeze alone may not stop all fraud tied to stolen driver data. Food & beverage compliance: Georgia’s Department of Agriculture issued a consumer advisory for certain Danielle’s Fresh Pressed Juice Blend products sold in the Newnan area, citing a process authority issue. Arts funding: ArtsBridge Foundation received a $10,000 Georgia Council for the Arts General Operating Support grant to support arts education programs.

Workforce & Manufacturing: GE Appliances is expanding at its Georgia plant by leaning on flexible, app-based scheduling that lets part-time workers pick shifts—helping fill labor gaps while keeping experienced staff in place, even if pay and benefits are thinner. Energy & Public Safety: A massive, persistent heat dome is forecast to push dangerous temperatures across much of the U.S. for days, raising risks for health, power grids, agriculture, and wildfire response. Tech & Local Impact: Georgia regulators are investigating who pays data center energy costs, as scrutiny grows over construction compliance and the true price tag of hosting new facilities. Water Utilities: City of Gainesville’s long-time water resources director Linda MacGregor announced she’ll retire Sept. 25, overseeing a multi-million-dollar water, sewer and stormwater operation. Business & Community: Synchronicity Theatre unveiled its 2026-27 Stripped Bare Arts Incubator series, with four new works by Atlanta-area creators ahead of a move to a permanent home. Global Trade/Health: Sudan is seeking deeper ties with India’s pharma and healthcare sector, citing India’s medicines as a major share of Sudan’s imports.

Auto Manufacturing: Mercedes-Benz opened a new $34 million Atlanta technology center, aiming to consolidate R&D and technical services and add hundreds of jobs. Aviation & Infrastructure: Griffin-Spalding County is preparing the new Area Regional Airport, but says continued federal funding is needed to keep the opening timeline on track. Local Tax Policy: Spalding County can’t place a 1% Local Homestead Option sales tax referendum on the Nov. 5 ballot after legislation allowing it failed in the Georgia General Assembly. Coastal Housing & Zoning: McIntosh County moved a revised Hog Hammock zoning ordinance toward a public hearing after earlier proposals were tabled and a moratorium is set to expire Aug. 10. Utilities & Construction Bids: Cartersville is seeking sealed proposals for a natural gas main relocation on U.S. 411/S.R. 20; Bartow County is also soliciting on-demand engineering services for its water Capital Improvement Program. Agriculture: Georgia’s agriculture industry is improving after recent rainfall eased drought conditions, though impacts won’t be fully known until harvest. Consumer Safety: Publix recalled GreenWise frozen blueberries in multiple states, including Georgia, tied to E. coli illnesses. Energy Costs: Georgia Power says simple HVAC steps and thermostat habits can help cut summer electricity bills. Tech & Compliance: Georgia regulators are investigating who pays data center energy costs, as scrutiny grows over construction compliance and costs.

Data Centers & Power Costs: Georgia regulators voted to investigate whether Georgia Power’s biggest customers, including data centers, are shifting fuel costs onto households and small businesses, spotlighting a “Real Time Pricing” loophole that critics say leaves nearly $1 billion uncharged. Local Governance: Walker County commissioners extended a data center moratorium, with a longer pause under consideration after residents pushed for clearer zoning and permitting rules. Logistics & Courts: A Georgia-based logistics firm, BroadRange Logistics, is named in a lawsuit alleging it lured warehouse owners into leases and tenant-improvement deals, then defaulted—raising questions for the state’s warehousing and tenant-finance model. Manufacturing & Retail: Atlanta-based Just for Teens is expanding into nearly 10,000 Dollar General stores by September, a major scaling win for a Black-owned consumer brand. Workforce & Skills: Georgia students earned medals at the SkillsUSA national championships in Atlanta, underscoring demand for hands-on training. Aviation & Construction: Atlanta City Council approved nearly $63M for a new Delta One Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson, targeting a January 2029 opening. Transportation Updates: GDOT and partners scheduled I-285 lane and ramp closures this weekend for ongoing roadway work.

Data Centers & Local Zoning: Walker County commissioners extended a data center development moratorium to 180 days, pushing consideration of new applications to February 2027, with residents saying the pause still isn’t long enough. Transportation & Infrastructure: GDOT opened the $27.5 million SR 211 improvement project in Barrow County ahead of schedule, adding lane access, two dual-lane roundabouts, upgraded signals, and a shared-use path. Energy & Renewables: Georgia regulators are set to investigate data center energy costs, as the broader AI-driven power crunch keeps pressuring grid capacity. Manufacturing & Logistics: Prologis filed plans for a 99MW, 516,000-square-foot data center in San Jose, underscoring continued industrial real estate momentum tied to tech demand. Workforce & Community: Milton Police cadets competed statewide, highlighting training in traffic stops, mock crime scenes, and crisis de-escalation. Public Safety: Atlanta rideshare drivers rallied against Waymo expansion, saying autonomous services are cutting into earnings. Agriculture & Food Safety: Georgia Department of Agriculture warned farmers about sophisticated online farm equipment scams, while FDA recalled frozen blueberries sold in eight states over possible E. coli contamination.

Energy & Regulation: Georgia regulators have launched an investigation into whether Georgia Power’s pricing for large energy users—especially data centers—could shift costs onto residential customers, with staff warning the structure could raise average residential bills by as much as 11% per month by 2028. AI & Cybersecurity: Atlanta-based AssuranceAmerica disclosed a major data breach affecting nearly 7 million people, including driver’s license and auto insurance-related information, after suspicious activity was detected in March. Tourism & Local Business: College Park, GA landed a $2.4 million destination marketing contract for Destination Must Visit® Tourism Alliance, aiming to drive measurable hospitality growth around the airport and convention venues. Manufacturing & Materials: UGA researchers report proteins extracted from marigold flower waste could offer a heat-stable, functional ingredient—turning discarded blooms into a potential sustainable food input. Business Growth: Wayfair is expanding beyond e-commerce with new showroom/store plans, including a large Denver location, signaling a bet on a gradual furniture demand recovery.

Data Centers & Local Control: Marietta tabled a controversial rezoning request for a data center on Powers Ferry Place after hours of public protests, while a city moratorium on new data center projects runs through Dec. 31. Energy & Grid Costs: Georgia regulators launched a probe into data center energy costs, adding pressure as communities question power demand and bill impacts. AI Infrastructure Backlash: A national report says more than $130B in AI data centers has been blocked or delayed in early 2026, with communities citing rising costs and grid strain. Public Safety Tech: RapidSOS is being used by metro Atlanta 911 centers to speed location sharing and support live guidance during emergencies. Workforce & Training: Georgia’s infrastructure minister flagged skilled labor shortages; SkillsUSA results also highlight career-tech talent, including Solon High School Excel TECC students placing top-10 nationally. Health & Food Safety: Publix recalled GreenWise frozen organic blueberries in eight states over possible E. coli contamination. Drug Enforcement: A Georgia inmate was sentenced for trafficking fentanyl and synthetic cannabinoids from China into Southwest Georgia.

Energy & Industry Regulation: The Georgia Public Service Commission approved an investigation into whether Georgia Power’s heavy-use pricing for data centers and other large industrial customers is shifting costs onto residential customers, with staff warning the structure could raise average residential bills by up to 11% per month by 2028 as demand grows. Local Governance & Data Centers: Marietta City Council is set to vote on a citywide moratorium after residents raised concerns about a proposed data center’s noise, construction impacts, and power and water use. Public Safety & Workforce: Savannah opened a second cooling center during an extreme heat watch, with multiple cooling sites and splash pads operating through the day. Finance & Consumer Protection: Attorneys general, including North Carolina’s Jeff Jackson, announced a settlement with Block/Cash App over alleged misrepresentations about safety and fraud protections, with payments to consumers and states. Business Expansion: JPMorgan hired veteran banker Michael Flynn to lead a new small-cap investment banking team, including a hub in Atlanta. Arts Funding: Savannah VOICE Festival received a Georgia Council for the Arts General Operating Support grant for FY2027. Food & Agriculture Research: University of Georgia researchers reported proteins extracted from discarded marigold flowers show strong heat stability, pointing to a potential sustainable food ingredient.

Data Centers & Local Policy: DeKalb County extended its data center moratorium through early 2027 as it weighs new rules amid concerns over water, power, and public health impacts. Food Safety & Recalls: Publix is recalling GreenWise frozen organic blueberries in eight states after an E. coli outbreak; Georgia is among the affected locations. Public Health: A Cyclospora outbreak tied to severe watery diarrhea has spread to 17 states, including Georgia, with officials warning the true case count may be higher. Utilities & Cost of Living: Georgia ranks No. 8 nationally for the share of income spent on summer electricity bills, with average summer costs still above the national norm. Local Government & Infrastructure: Savannah will add a Stormwater Utility fee to water bills starting Sept. 1 to fund drainage and flood reduction. Workforce & Training: SkillsUSA’s national conference in Atlanta highlighted top technical students, including Kirksville Area Technical Center winners in additive manufacturing and prepared speech. Community Business: Atlanta Airsoft opened a 15,000-square-foot field aimed at players of all ages, positioning it as a local community hub.

Securities & Corporate Accountability: Atlanta-based Lucid faces a new shareholder class action alleging misleading statements about supplier issues disrupting Lucid Gravity deliveries; the lead-plaintiff request deadline is July 28, 2026. Securities & Corporate Accountability: Holzer & Holzer also flagged a July 13, 2026 lead-plaintiff deadline in a Phreesia class action tied to concerns about long-term growth outlook. Food Safety: The FDA issued a recall of Publix GreenWise frozen organic blueberries (10 oz, lot code 60401, best by Feb. 9, 2028) across eight states including Georgia due to possible E. coli contamination. Local Tech & Infrastructure: Jackson County approved a $249,807 60-month server lease (0% financing) to modernize IT and improve reliability. Workforce & Education: SkillsUSA’s National Leadership & Skills Conference in Atlanta highlighted welding and other hands-on trades, with Georgia students earning top honors. Community Leadership: Leadership Perimeter named its 2027 Flagship class and launched a new youth leadership class for high school students across Brookhaven, Sandy Springs and Dunwoody.

Public Health: FDA and CDC linked a frozen organic blueberries E. coli outbreak to Publix’s GreenWise brand, with 12 illnesses (11 Florida, 1 Georgia) and recalls across multiple states including Georgia. Consumer Protection: Georgia AG Chris Carr won a court order against MV Realty, barring the company from doing business in the state and ordering $1 million in restitution to homeowners after “Homeowner Benefit Agreement” schemes. Energy & Infrastructure: Energy Transfer priced $1.75B in junior subordinated notes to refinance preferred units and support general financing needs. Manufacturing & Defense Tech: Georgia Tech startup Askari is building counter-drone systems to detect, track, and stop hostile drones. Local Economy & Food Access: Retaaza expanded its DeKalb Farm Fresh Mobile Market with more weekly stops to boost access to Georgia-grown produce. Business & Jobs: Statesboro moved forward with an 85% grant-funded hydrologic and hydraulic study for Little Lott’s Creek flood mitigation. Sports/Industry: Rivian shares slid after a planned 75M-share offering tied to funding for its Georgia plant ramp. Community Safety: Highway 17 near Thomson reopened after a fatal crash investigation shut the road for hours.

Food Safety: Publix is recalling GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries (10 oz, lot code 60401, best-by Feb. 9, 2028) after 12 E. coli O145:H28 illness reports across eight states, including Georgia—customers are told to discard or return affected bags. Local Business & Grants: Invest Atlanta approved $10,000 FIFA World Cup grants for nine small businesses inside Atlanta’s historic Municipal Market, helping cover repairs and upgrades like counters, roofs and floors. Agriculture & Invasive Species: Georgia’s agriculture department says it has captured 859 yellow-legged hornets this year, with 43 nests eradicated, and is urging residents to report sightings. Tech/Finance Compliance: Bitcoin Depot Operating, LLC—headquartered in Sandy Springs—voluntarily surrendered its Georgia money transmitter license after filing for Chapter 11, raising concerns for customers with pending transactions. Energy/Infrastructure: Georgia’s I-16 widening project is expected to begin in 2027, with a $468 million contract awarded.

Robotics in Georgia manufacturing: Hyundai’s humanoid robot Atlas made a World Cup halftime match-ball delivery, showing off new “grass” and comms workarounds for stadium conditions; Hyundai says it plans to deploy mass-produced Atlas units at its Georgia plant starting in 2028. Solar for data centers: Hanwha Qcells Georgia is tied to a new U.S. solar deal—about 320,000 modules for a 200-MW Indiana project supplying Meta under a power purchase agreement—highlighting how Big Tech demand keeps pushing renewable buildouts. Pipeline fight with Georgia in the mix: The FERC issued a final environmental statement for Mississippi Crossing Project and South System Expansion 4, natural gas pipelines that would run into Alabama and Georgia, with critics warning most gas would serve Georgia data centers while landowners face major impacts. Local hiring signal: Hanwha Qcells Georgia posted for an MES Programmer I in Cartersville, pointing to continued software and manufacturing systems work as automation ramps. Food safety alert: Publix recalled GreenWise Organic IQF Blueberries in multiple states including Georgia after E. coli O145 illnesses. Georgia environment win: Georgia DNR approved buying about 2,900 acres near the Okefenokee to expand protection into a new Alachua Trail WMA. Aviation operations: Delta reported a firework strike on a flight landing at Chicago Midway from Atlanta; the aircraft was inspected and no injuries were reported. Energy prices watch: GasBuddy reported Georgia regular gas averaging about $3.55 for the week ending June 27, with some counties seeing lower single-station prices.

Georgia Infrastructure: GDOT will close 16 miles of GA 400 for Express Lanes construction nightly through July 10, with single-lane traffic and work from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Manufacturing & Jobs: Oldcastle APG will permanently downsize its Barrette Outdoor Living facility in Salisbury, N.C., laying off 63 workers, citing revenue decline. Agriculture & Biosecurity: Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper is asking residents in coastal counties to watch for yellow-legged hornet secondary nests and report suspected hawking around beehives. Research & Food Innovation: The University of Georgia says common marigolds may offer plant-based protein benefits, with protein levels comparable to quinoa and stability for baking. Energy Prices: GasBuddy reports the lowest E15 deal in Barrow County at $3.39/gal for the week ending June 27, while Georgia’s E15 average fell to $3.59. Real Estate: A “Big Discount Day” at Archi Horizon in Georgia’s market drew 186 apartment sales in one day. Legal Notices: Multiple Faruqi & Faruqi securities class action deadlines were flagged, including ADMA (Aug. 10) and FS KKR (July 3).