Georgia Trend Daily – Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

These GA companies are among the best employers in the world, Forbes says

Sundi Rose reports that Georgia is quickly emerging as one of the leading premier business hubs in the country and with this pro-business climate, it is not surprising that 7 Georgia-based corporations made Forbes’ Best Employers list. Despite the recent halt on battery plant construction, the state’s strong roster of Fortune 500 companies suggests the economic trajectory is still moving upward.

Oct. 31, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Business Friendly; Lifestyle Fun

Linda Erbele reports, in June, Greater Hall County Chamber officials took part in not one, but two kagami biraki ceremonies – traditional Japanese sake barrel openings – as Kubota Manufacturing of America opened its new $190 million plant and Mimaki USA opened its new corporate office in Flowery Branch. It was a ritual that marks a new beginning – and it reflected the county’s broad appeal.

Oct. 31, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Delta backs Republicans’ push for clean funding bill to reopen government

Kelly Yamanouchi and Greg Bluestein report, Delta Air Lines is backing Republicans’ push for passage of a “clean” continuing resolution to bring an end to the 30-day federal government shutdown. The Atlanta-based airline becomes one of the more prominent companies to push for the reopening of the government, putting pressure on Democrats who have held out for a deal on health care funding.

Oct. 31, 2025 GPB

‘A multi-generational project.’ Life sciences campus in Gwinnett County begins vertical construction

Orlando Montoya reports, a planned 2,000-acre life sciences research park is moving forward in metro Atlanta’s Gwinnett County. The project, modeled after North Carolina’s “research triangle,” is halfway between universities in Athens and Atlanta.

Oct. 31, 2025 Georgia.org

Georgia Council for the Arts Awards 62 Organizations $600,000 in Grant Funding

Staff reports, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) team specialized in empowering arts and culture, Georgia Council for the Arts, today announced the recipients of fiscal year 2026 Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities competitive grant awards to support organizations across the state, including in rural communities. As part of this year’s awards, 62 entities in 48 counties will receive $600,000 in funding.

Oct. 31, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal

Cobb OKs $108k for MUST Ministries warming shelter

Isabelle Manders reports, as temperatures start to dip, the Cobb County Board of Commissioners has extended its agreement with a local homeless shelter to provide warming shelter services through the winter. The board voted 3-2 Tuesday, with Commissioners Keli Gambrill and JoAnn Birrell opposed, to allocate $108,000 to MUST Ministries, helping fund its warming shelter from November through March.

Oct. 31, 2025 Athens Banner-Herald

Spectrum makes donation to Athens organization for job training program

Wayne Ford reports that Spectrum recently presented the East Athens Development Corporation with a check for $50,000 as part of the company’s $30 million initiative to revitalize local community centers and job training program. The EADC plans to use the money to provide digital skills job training to residents in Athens, according to Spectrum.

Oct. 31, 2025 Savannah Morning News

New report slams liquefied natural gas terminals for violations

Jillian Magtoto reports, the air around Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminals just got thicker. On Oct. 29, nonprofit watchdog organization Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) reported that all seven of the country’s LNG Terminals active by the end of 2024 have violated air pollution permits at least once over the last few years—including Kinder Morgan’s Elba Liquefaction Terminal in Savannah.

Oct. 31, 2025 Gainesville Times

AG clears Hall planning commissioners of open meeting violation — but appears to rely on county’s findings, not independent inquiry

Ben Anderson and Danny McArthur report that the Georgia Attorney General’s Office says it “does not appear” that several Hall County planning commissioners violated the Open Meetings Act during a Sept. 15 meeting, according to a letter from the AG’s office to the county attorney and the citizen who filed the complaint. But the AG’s conclusion appears to be based on Hall County’s own investigation and not on an independent inquiry.

Oct. 31, 2025 Albany Herald

In Georgia’s most SNAP-dependent county, local pantries brace for program’s cut-off

Lucille Lannigan reports that the only food pantry in Calhoun County is a mobile one that reaches residents on the third Saturday and third Thursday of each month. Shawanda Brown, a pantry organizer with Refuge Temple Apostolic Church Outreach Ministries, said the line of people waiting to get food stretches several blocks before volunteers even start to hand boxes out.

Oct. 31, 2025 State Affairs

SNAP crisis in Georgia: What can Kemp, lawmakers do for relief amid shutdown?

Beau Evans reports, people are showing up at rural Hancock County’s food bank than ever before. The most recent were a mother and her four children who came to the Helping Hands Crisis Relief Center on Tuesday.

Oct. 31, 2025 Georgia Recorder

Kemp resists calls to use state funds to keep food aid available in Georgia during shutdown

Maya Homan reports, a critical federal food assistance program that benefits roughly 1.4 million Georgians is on track to run out of funding this weekend, as the federal government shutdown approaches a full month. Yet while governors in both red and blue states have taken steps to ease the burden on people who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, state leaders in Georgia have largely stayed quiet, with Republican Gov. Brian Kemp resisting calls from Democratic lawmakers to use state resources to keep the food assistance flowing.

Oct. 31, 2025 WABE

The Georgia PSC election is about power bills — and political control of the state

Emily Jones reports that Georgians are currently voting in rare off-year elections for two seats on the Public Service Commission — the only statewide races on the ballot this year. More Democrats are expected to turn out to vote because Democratic strongholds like Atlanta are electing a mayor and city council members.

Oct. 31, 2025 Capitol Beat News

Carr joins other attorneys general in call for crackdown on intoxicating hemp products

Ty Tagami reports that while Georgia lawmakers consider new regulations for intoxicating hemp products, Attorney General Chris Carr is joining most of his peers across the country in a call for a federal law that would sweep the products from all store shelves. Gas stations, convenience stores and other locations have been selling gummies, vapes and other products derived from the hemp plant that can get users just as high as smoking marijuana.

Oct. 31, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Senate poll: Ossoff riding high in Georgia; MAGA firebrand leads GOP field

Greg Bluestein reports that Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins holds an early advantage in the GOP race for Senate with a 10-point lead over his nearest rival. But with nearly 40% of the likely Republican voters undecided, the contest is far from settled.