Georgia Trend Daily – Sept. 29, 2025
Sept. 29, 2025 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Did the Hyundai-LG raid affect the JS Link deal in Columbus? The CEO answers
Jordyn Paul-Slataer reports, this month at a southeast Georgia Hyundai-LG Battery plant, the business relationship between the United States and South Korea has been a concern. Just three days before the raid, ChooseColumbus announced a $232 million deal with JS Link, a Korean biotechnology company, to build a facility in Columbus.
Sept. 29, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Where are they now? 40 Under 40 – Meredith Leapley
Jana Lawrence reports that Meredith Leapley, a 2007 Georgia Trend 40 Under 40 honoree, is celebrating 26 years as founder and CEO of Leapley Construction Group. A Maryland native, Leapley founded her company in 1999 to be a premier commercial interior general contractor.
Sept. 29, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Synovus CEO says $8.6B merger is ‘all about growth’ for Atlanta, Columbus
Zachary Hansen reports, leadership of Georgia’s largest homegrown bank said its ambitious growth plans will trickle down to every city where it has a major presence, regardless of where its future headquarters is located. Synovus Financial, a banking company with a 137-year history in Columbus, announced in July it agreed to an $8.6 billion merger with Southeastern competitor Pinnacle Financial Partners.
Sept. 29, 2025 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp: Georgia Breaks Tourism Records for Third Year in a Row
Staff reports, Gov. Kemp on Friday joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing that the state broke tourism records for the third consecutive year and ranked No. 5 in the nation for overnight visitation for the fifth year in a row. “Georgia’s scenic landscapes spanning the mountains to the coast, cultural attractions, and vibrant communities make our state a top destination that leaves visitors with a reason to keep Georgia on their minds,” said Gov. Kemp.
Sept. 29, 2025 GlobalAtlanta.com
Germany’s Largest Investor in Georgia Gets Smelting
Trevor Williams reports, Germany’s largest investor in Georgia is now melting down (metals), and the process is right on schedule. A year ago, Aurubis AG officially opene its $800 million smelting facility in Augusta, with Gov. Brian Kemp labeling it “one of my favorite projects” for its strategic and economic value.
Sept. 29, 2025 Newnan Times-Herald
‘Best present ever’: Newnan resident obtains U.S. citizenship
Jeffrey Cullen-Dean reports that the U.S. has a new citizen, and she lives in Newnan. Lin Sem obtainer her U.S. citizenship earlier this month on Sept. 8 and celebrated her 31st birthday the next day.
Sept. 29, 2025 Augusta Chronicle, USA Today
Unemployment claims in Georgia declined last week
Staff reports that initial filings for unemployment benefits in Georgia dropped last week compared with the week prior, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday. New jobless claims, a proxy for layoffs, fell to 3,940 in the week ending September 20, down from 4,682 the week before, the Labor Department said.
Sept. 29, 2025 The Brunswick News
Finance committee to consider permeable parking space at city squares
Taylor Cooper reports that City Hall’s finance committee will meet Monday to consider green-lighting permeable paved parking spaces at Palmetto and Orange squares. First to consider is accepting a grant from the state Environmental Protection Division to fund 60% of the project.
Sept. 29, 2025 WSB Radio
Atlanta to debut first of its kind bridge made from repurposed wind turbine blade
Staff reports that a ribbon-cutting ceremony is set for Sunday evening at Beaverbrook Park, where residents will soon walk across a pedestrian bridge unlike any other in the United States. The nearly 7,000-pound bridge was built from a wind turbine blade repurposed from a Colorado wind farm.
Sept. 29, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
‘Tough conversations’: Cobb commissioners briefed on sales tax options
Isabelle Manders reports, before the county steps into what he called “tough conversations” for 2027, Cobb County Chief Financial Officer Bill Volckmann told the Cobb Board of Commissioners he wanted to ensure they were “aware of all the options that are before them.” During this week’s work session, commissioners heard from Dante Handel, associate director of governmental affairs with the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG), on the types of local option sales taxes available under Georgia law.
Sept. 29, 2025 Savannah Morning News
‘Citizens not on the hook for this:’ Revenue bonds, private companies to fund airport
Latrice Williams reports that Georgia Tech’s fiscal review revealed what Trip Addison, member of the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Airport Authority, believed all along – the citizens of Bryan County will not foot the bill for the proposed airport. “The analysis further validates another benefit to the community for the development of the new regional general aviation airport in Richmond Hill, with the school system, city and county all benefiting from property tax revenue with minimal burden,” said Addison.
Sept. 29, 2025 Albany Herald
Albany State student youngest to run for Camilla’s City Council
Lucille Lannigan reports, Jeremiah Florence turned 18 at the end of July – just in time to qualify for the upcoming Camilla City Council District 2 race a few weeks later. The Albany State University criminal justice sophomore has aspired to be a government leader since high school and said he believes there’s no better place to start than his hometown’s local government.
Sept. 29, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
Cobb Elections asks state to amend special election date to fill Senate seat
Isabelle Manders reports that the Cobb County Board of Elections and Registration is asking Gov. Brian Kemp and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “move quickly” and amend the date for the special election to fill the vacated seat of former state Sen. Jason Esteves, D-Atlanta. Though the date was set for Nov. 18, the elections board is asking that the special election coincide with the statewide and municipal elections scheduled for Nov. 4, citing concerns regarding “fiscal responsibility and voter confusion.”
Sept. 29, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Reproductive health advocates turn to giant inflatable IUD to help broadcast message
Maya Homan reports, outside Georgia’s state Capitol in Atlanta on Friday, advocates gathered alongside state lawmakers to call attention to what they see as growing threats to reproductive health access for Georgia residents. State Rep. Dr. Michelle Au, a Johns Creek Democrat and anesthesiologist who has been a longtime advocate of reproductive rights, argued that a lack of access to health care for Georgia residents can lead to riskier pregnancies.
Sept. 29, 2025 GPB
Senate Democrats denounce ‘free speech attacks’
Sarah Kallis reports that Senate Democrats sounded the alarm Thursday at the state Capitol about what they call attacks on free speech. State Sen. Josh McLaurin, who is also running for lieutenant governor says he was concerned about pressure from the federal government to suspend late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s talk show after he made controversial remarks about the death of Charlie kirk, but he was encouraged over public outcry over the decision.
Sept. 29, 2025 State Affairs
Federal gov’t shutdown threatens state grant programs, benefits
Sophie Quinton reports, a federal government shutdown next week could disrupt grant programs that states rely on and benefits that states administer, such as food stamps and cash assistance. If Congress cannot pass a budget by Sept. 30, the White House wants federal agencies to immediately halt funding for some programs and lay off workers who run them, according to a Wednesday memo from the Office of Management and Budget.
Sept. 29, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After defying Trump, Raffensperger touts his policies in governor’s race
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is best known as the Republican who defied President Donald Trump’s demand to overturn the 2020 election. He’s also now a candidate for governor who champions many of Trump’s policies.
