Georgia Trend Daily – Jan. 20, 2026
Jan. 20, 2026 Rough Draft Atlanta
City of Refuge receives $1.25M grant for affordable housing project
Staff reports that Delta Community Credit Union has secured a $1.25 million grant for City of Refuge to help fund the construction of 35 multifamily rental units in metro Atlanta. The money was awarded through the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta’s 2025 Affordable Housing Program General Fund.
Jan. 20, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Good Prospects for Warner Robins
Jeffrey Humphreys reports that in 2026, Warner Robins’ economy should modestly outperform the U.S. economy. The sanguine forecast reflects recent economic development success, above-average population growth, a match of the area’s workforce skills with employers’ needs, and low business and living costs.
Jan. 20, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta hit TSA record in 2025 with 30 million passengers
Emma Hurt and Charles Minshew report that Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport screened a record 30.1 million passengers through Transportation Security Administration checkpoints last year. The figures have been steadily climbing. 2025 was the first time the airport passed the 30 million mark, according to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution analysis.
Jan. 20, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Columbus’ Synovus and TSYS transforming in major business deals. Here’s a recap
Jordyn Paul Slater reports that Columbus’ financial services industry has started 2026 with significant shakeups after two major players announced last year landmark deals that reshape their operations, market reach and name. Fidelity Information Services (FIS) has finalized its $13.5 billion acquisition of Global Payments’ Issuer Solutions, formerly known as TSYS, while Synovus has merged with Pinnacle Financial Partners in an $8.6 billion all-stock transaction.
Jan. 20, 2026 Savannah Morning News
After Port Wentworth passed data center ordinance, residents mobilized
Destini Ambus reports, on Nov. 20, Ginny Hines looked around the Port Wentworth City Council chambers and wondered what was happening. At the last minute, the Port Wentworth City City Council added a proposed amendment to its zoning ordinances to the agenda.
Jan. 20, 2026 Gainesville Times
Hall County planning commissioners file appeal against removal over open meetings violations
Ben Anderson reports, the three Hall County planning commissioners who were removed from office for allegedly violating the state’s open meetings law have filed an appeal against a judge’s earlier decision allowing the Board of Commissioners to proceed with removal. On Jan. 8, the BOC voted to remove planning commissioners Chris Braswell, Stan Hunt and Frank Sosebee from office based on evidence that they violated the Open Meetings Act multiple times.
Jan. 20, 2026 The Current
Kemp recommends state funds for SNAP after federal cutbacks
Maggie Lee reports that Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has called on state lawmakers to replace tens of millions of dollars in anti-hunger funds cut last year under the Trump administration’s “big beautiful bill.” In his proposed budget released last Thursday, the state’s widely popular Republican governor urged the GOP-dominated state legislature to allocate $46 million to replace funds lost due to bill’s cutbacks of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP.
Jan. 20, 2026 GPB
New report outlines role of Medicaid in Georgia and how policymakers can prepare for federal cuts
Ellen Eldridge reports that Georgia Health Initiative’s research focuses on helping a variety of people, nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders better understand the role Medicaid plays in Georgia. The report from Georgia Health Initiative includes the latest data and analyses covering enrollment, benefits and services, service delivery, financing, and state priorities, with attention to recent federal updates, including provisions of H.R.1 that affect Georgia’s Medicaid program.
Jan. 20, 2026 Savannah Morning News, The Imprint
Georgia’s former child welfare directors warn governor of system crisis
Jordan Anderson reports, in a rare and urgent appeal, a group of former Georgia child welfare leaders have called on Gov. Brian Kemp to rectify what they describe as an “accelerating” crisis in child welfare funding. A Tuesday letter signed by four previous heads of the state’s Division of Family and Children Services describes the agency’s $85 million budget shortfall as a threat to thousands of families’ stability by actively eroding the network of providers contracted to serve them.
Jan. 20, 2026 Macon Melody
Race for vacant Middle Georgia senate seat ramps up
Casey Choung reports that six candidates from across the Middle Georgia region are contesting the District 18 senate seat, campaigning on issues ranging from affordability to criminal justice. The spot opened up when former State Senator John F. Kennedy, Republican of Macon, resigned from office in December to run for lieutenant governor.
Jan. 20, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Outrage over surge of data centers in Georgia inspires wave of bipartisan bills
Alander Rocha reports, a surge in data center development has turned Georgia into a national hotspot while raising fresh concerns about the state’s energy landscape and natural resources. After a massive request from Georgia Power to expand its energy capacity by about 10,000 megawatts due to unprecedented growth driven largely by a rise in data centers and a recent focus on energy affordability, particularly after Democratic successes campaigning on the issue in 2025, lawmakers seem likely to consider legislation that could help regulate the power-hungry, massive facilities.
Jan. 20, 2026 Newnan Times-Herald
Sen. Brass files bill to end tax break for future data centers
Laura Camper reports, amid public pushback against the plethora of data centers looking to settle in Georgia, Sen. Matt Brass and nine other Republican senators sponsored a bill that would repeal the sales tax exemption that has been drawing the companies here. “In this state, it’s really tearing us apart,” Brass said.
Jan. 20, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Commission to review whether to suspend indicted state House member
Michelle Baruchman reports that State Rep. Sharon Henderson’s future as a state lawmaker is under review after she was charged in federal court last month with defrauding the government during the coronavirus pandemic. A commission appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp will review Henderson’s indictment and determine whether she should be suspended from office.
