Georgia Trend Daily – Nov. 19, 2025
Nov. 19, 2025 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp: Salesforce to Expand Georgia Footprint
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Thursday announced that Salesforce, Inc. will invest $15 million to expand its Georgia presence, creating over 250 new jobs in Fulton County by the end of 2028. “Salesforce’s decision to expand in the No. 1 state for business is the latest direct result of our unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and economic opportunity,” said Governor Brian Kemp.
Four years of success improving health, confidence, and participation among older adults across metro Atlanta.
Nov. 19, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Atlanta Regional Commission’s Digital Access Project Helps Older Adults Improve Health Outcomes
Julia Roberts reports, since 2021, the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) has worked to expand access to evidence-based wellness programs (EBPs) for older adults through its Digital Access Pilot Project (DAPP). The project was developed to help older adults overcome barriers such as lack of internet access, limited technology skills, and transportation challenges, allowing them to safely participate in virtual health and wellness classes from home.
Nov. 19, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Norfolk Southern sale puts major Atlanta philanthropic force in question
Emma Hurt and Savanna Sicurella report, shortly after the mid-November sun set on the railroad tracks running through Forest Park, a group of Norfolk Southern executives, city leaders, donors and Hope Atlanta supporters boarded a vintage railcar. The ride, during which they were served a three-course meal, was part of a special event marking the 125th anniversary of the Atlanta-based nonprofit fighting homelessness, which Norfolk Southern has supported for more than a year.
Nov. 19, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
Cobb tourism generates $2.5 billion economic impact in 2024, report shows
Staff reports that Cobb Travel & Tourism released its annual economic impact report Tuesday, reaffirming the strength and momentum of Cobb County’s tourism and hospitality industry. According to new research from Tourism Economics, visitors to Cobb County generated a total economic impact of $2.5 billion in 2024.
Nov. 19, 2025 The Current
Georgia Water Coalition honors McIntosh County group as ‘water hero’
Jasmine Wright reports, a McIntosh County citizen group that’s fought to reduce herbicide use and an oyster hatchery on Skidaway Island are among the 13 entities the Georgia Water Coalition recognized Tuesday for their positive impacts on the state’s waterways. “Don’t Spray McIntosh County” is a citizen-led initiative that ended the county’s practice of spraying herbicides to manage vegetation along its roadside rights of way.
Nov. 19, 2025 Macon Telegraph
Jones County considers new zoning district, ordinances for data centers. What we know.
Lucinda Warnke reports that Jones County commissioners are considering a new set of zoning ordinances setting guidelines for where and how data centers can be constructed. The county previously passed a similar set of ordinances in September, but rescinded them earlier this month after a group of concerned citizens raised concerns that the new guidelines weren’t properly passed into law.
Nov. 19, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Economic Development Around the State
Christy Simo reports, Georgia has been named the No. 1 state for business by Area Development for the 12th year in a row. During the fiscal year, there were more than 420 facility expansions and new locations, representing more than $26.3 billion in investment, a new record.
Nov. 19, 2025 Gainesville Times
BOC to begin removal proceedings for planning commissioners accused of violating open meetings law
Danny McArthur reports, in a 4-1 vote on Tuesday afternoon, the Hall County Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution to begin removal proceedings for three planning commissioners accused of violating the state’s Open Meetings Act. The resolution is based on the “reasonable belief” that planning commissioners Chris Braswell, Stan Hunt and Frank Sosebee “did violate provisions of Georgia’s Open Meetings Act, and for that reason may be subject to termination and removal from office for cause upon written charges and after a public hearing,” according to a read-out by the county’s attorney, Justin Lawhon.
Nov. 19, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal
State Senate election appears headed toward runoff
Isabelle Manders reports that Democrats Jaha Howard and Roger Bruce appear to be headed to a runoff in the special election to fill the vacated seat of former state Sen. Jason Esteves, D-Atlanta, according to unofficial results from the Georgia Secretary of State. With 100% of precincts reporting, Howard, a former Cobb County School Board member and pediatric dentist, led the six candidates with 5,134 votes, or 32.6% of the vote, followed by former state Rep. Bruce, with 3,992 votes or 25.4%.
Nov. 19, 2025 State Affairs
Trump order boosts support for Georgia’s aged-out foster youth
Beau Evans reports, help is on the way for hundreds of foster children who age out of the system when they turn 18 and risk becoming homeless due to lack of housing, money and education. President Donald Trump’s signing of a Nov. 13 executive order calls for boosting federal aid for job training and basic needs such as housing, health care and employment for aged-out foster kids, bringing national attention to one of Georgia’s most vulnerable populations.
Nov. 19, 2025 GPB
Georgia senators continue to weigh a 0% income tax
Sarah Kallis reports that Georgia’s current income tax is just over 5%, but some lawmakers want to take it to zero. The committee of state senators looking at ways to eliminate Georgia’s income tax met at the state Capitol on Monday.
Nov. 19, 2025 Capitol Beat News
Legislation to expedite building approvals amid soaring home costs
Ty Tagami reports, with home costs rising beyond the reach of many Georgians, builders and developers are pushing for new limits on local control over construction permitting. State lawmakers heard Tuesday about legislation that would impose strict deadlines on local governments to issue permits.
Nov. 19, 2025 Georgia Recorder
Critics warn proposal to accelerate construction permitting in Georgia threatens water quality
Alander Rocha reports that proponents of a bill designed to speed up the construction permitting process say the changes are needed to address a lack of affordable housing. But local officials and environmental groups warn the proposal would add a “shot clock” that could compromise public safety and lead to increased water pollution from construction runoff.
Nov. 19, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Marjorie Taylor Greene or Trump: Who gets MAGA in the divorce?
Patricia Murphy reports, when President Donald Trump was booked and fingerprinted at the Fulton County Jail in 2023, there was just one elected official there to support him — U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. When Trump was huddling with his lawyers to defend himself in criminal cases around the country, Greene joined then-U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida to hold “America First” rallies from California to Florida to keep the MAGA movement going in his absence.
