Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 5, 2026
Jan. 5, 2026 WABE
Georgia’s footprint in the EV industry is expected to grow in 2026
Marlon Hyde reports that 2025 was a big year for electric vehicle production in Georgia, as Hyundai opened its new electric vehicle assembly plant in Bryan County and Rivian held an official groundbreaking for its multi-billion-dollar facility. And there’s potential for more growth, according to Alok Saboo, a professor of marketing at Georgia State University.
Jan. 5, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
2026 Hall of Fame Inductees: Shan Cooper & Dan Amos
Rachel Wallenstein and Gary Daughters report, Shan Cooper doesn’t use the word “retired.” Instead, she calls it “a life of maximum flexibility,” allowing her to remain actively involved with her granddaughters, serve on corporate and nonprofit boards, act as a senior advisor and continue consulting work. And, in the decade that AFLAC Chairman and CEO Dan Amos spent selling policies, he absorbed lessons that would shape the insurance juggernaut Aflac has since become.
Jan. 5, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The biggest bank based in Georgia has completed an $8.6B merger
Zachary Hansen reports that largest bank based in Georgia kicked off the new year by finalizing its blockbuster merger with a Southeastern rival, forming one of the country’s largest regional banks. Columbus-based Synovus Financial and Nashville-based Pinnacle Financial Partners completed their merger Thursday, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Jan. 5, 2026 GlobalAtlanta.com
Georgia’s British Business Council Looks Forward to Eventful 2026
Trevor Williams reports that Atlanta’s top organization for promoting British business in the city is celebrating an eventful 2025 and looking forward to a fruitful new year, holding out hope that England’s soccer team will end up here for a World Cup match. Atlanta missed out on both England and Scotland in the draw, narrowly missing a chance for the latter’s appearance here in the group round.
Jan. 5, 2026 Augusta Chronicle
$2 billion Augusta data center project could come online in mid-2026
Joe Hotchkiss reports, an Augusta data center planned near Fort Gordon could be operational by the middle of 2026. Known as “Project Eisenhower” in a Department of Community Affairs disclosure, the phased development would comprise more than 2.1 million square feet, about the size of 36 football fields, including six two-story buildings.
Jan. 5, 2026 Tifton Gazette
USDA announces peanut agricultural economic assistance
Staff reports that U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced the eligible commodity per-acre payment rates for the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program (FBA) on Wednesday. Eligible peanut producers can expect to receive $55.65 per acre by February 28, 2026.
Jan. 5, 2026 GPB
Several controversial bills from last legislative session could return this year
Sarah Kallis reports that Georgia’s legislative session begins Jan. 12. Lawmakers will introduce new bills, and will have the opportunity to go back to others that did not receive final passage during the last legislative session.
Jan. 5, 2026 The Brunswick News
Rep. Carter eyes Senate seat in 2026
Hank Rowland reports that U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter is a year away from his goal of trading his five-term post in the U.S. House as the voice for Coastal Georgia for what he hopes will be a voice for the entire state in the U.S. Senate starting in 2027. But the road to the Senate will be anything but easy.
Jan. 5, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Georgia agency proposes changes to waiting list for services for people with disabilities
Maya Homan reports that officials at Georgia’s Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities unveiled a series of proposals during a December board meeting aimed at restructuring the waiting list for a state-run Medicaid program that provides waivers to people with disabilities designed to keep them out of institutional settings. However, the proposals made to the board are just recommendations, and a timeline to move forward with the plan has not yet been set.
Jan. 5, 2026 Rome News-Tribune
Getting to zero: Panel tapped to cut Ga income tax meets Wednesday
Staff reports that a state Senate committee dedicated to eliminating Georgia’s income tax is set to meet Jan. 7 to adopt a final report. The chair, Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, said he expects to introduce legislation stemming from the report when the General Assembly convenes this month for the 2026 session.
Jan. 5, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Georgia legislative panel recommends mobile units, student loan aid for rural cancer care
Alander Rocha reports, a state legislative committee is recommending expanded loan forgiveness for doctors and increased funding for mobile screening units to combat a severe shortage of cancer care providers in rural Georgia. The House Study Committee on Cancer Care Access released its final report following a series of public meetings across the state held last year.
Jan. 5, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
5 things to watch for in Georgia politics this year
Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Adam Beam report, if you thought 2025 was a big year for politics, you might want to sit down when contemplating all that’s in store for 2026. The midterms will be the big news, especially as it portends to the future of the MAGA wing of the Republican Party.
