Georgia Trend Daily – March 4, 2026
March 4, 2026 WABE
Atlanta is a finalist to host 2028 Democratic National Convention
Kendall Murry reports that the Democratic National Committee announced Monday that Atlanta is one of five U.S. cities in the running to host the party’s 2028 national convention. The Peach State capitol — along with Boston, Chicago, Denver and Philadelphia — advanced to the next round of the application process and will receive a site visit this spring.
March 4, 2026 Georgia Trend Exclusive!
Affordable Housing in Georgia: Seeking a Solid Foundation
Amber Jones Barry reports that affordable housing is defined as costing no more than 30% of total household income. Many families pay more than that threshold, which means they’re in constant financial strain.
March 4, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta’s data center rush hits new peak. But growth has started to slow.
Zachary Hansen and Drew Kann report, the amount of data center space under construction in metro Atlanta hit a record high in 2025, but the rate of expansion waned, a sign that the sector’s explosive growth in recent years can’t exponentially increase forever. Atlanta emerged as the darling of the data center industry after the artificial intelligence boom began three years ago, according to data from real estate services firm CBRE.
March 4, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
‘Devastated.’ Neighbors near proposed Columbus data center petition with 1,200 signatures
Kala Hunter reports, in 2021, Leslie and Robert Landi found their forever home at the edge of Muscogee County in Upatoi, after “chasing quiet and peace” for years in Columbus and Midland. Leslie, a retired nurse, and Robert a retired corporate tax accountant for Aflac, moved to a 70-acre property in 2021.
March 4, 2026 GlobalAtlanta.com
Korean Auto Parts Company to Invest $30M in Emanuel County
Trevor Williams reports, the multi-year wave of Korean investment coming in to support the Hyundai Metaplant in Savannah has yet to subside even as sleek vehicles continue to roll off the assembly line. But the latest $30 million Georgia win isn’t coming from a completely new entrant.
March 4, 2026 The Brunswick News
Brunswick among state’s prettiest, most overlooked towns
Staff reports that Brunswick has been dubbed one of the prettiest towns in the United States and one of the most overlooked cities in Georgia by a company that publishes geography and travel educational resources for students. Brunswick made the middle of the list at No. 7, ranking alongside Beaufort, South Carolina, Mount Dora, Florida, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, Sag Harbor, New York, Gloucester, Massachusetts, Canyon, Texas, Breckenridge, Colorado, Jackson, Wyoming, Sitka, Alaska, and Laie, Hawaii.
March 4, 2026 Rough Draft Atlanta
Avondale Estates receives anonymous $1 million gift ‘thanks to Waffle House’
Sarra Sedghi reports that the The DeKalb County city of Avondale Estates received a gift of $1 million last week. The anonymous donors shared that their contribution was made possible “thanks to Waffle House — serving Avondale since 1955.” City Manager Patrick Bryant said Avondale Estates officials were surprised by the donation.
March 4, 2026 Post Searchlight
Heard recognized with state farming award
Mark Lashley reports that Bainbridge native and local producer Parker Heard was recently honored with the prestigious “Young Beginning Producer Award” at the Georgia Young Farmer Association (GYFA) State Convention, held on Jan. 23-24 at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. The recognition marks a significant achievement for Heard and highlights his dedication and progress in the agricultural industry.
March 4, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
Bill would block Cobb from holding another transit vote until 2032
Hunter Riggall reports that a Republican-sponsored bill moving through the Georgia Legislature would preclude Cobb County from holding another transit tax referendum until 2032, eight years after voters rejected the last such proposal. The Georgia House of Representatives’ Transportation Committee voted Monday to advance House Bill 1377, authored by state Rep. John Carson, R-northeast Cobb.
March 4, 2026 Savannah Morning News
Yamaha moving US headquarters to Georgia. Where new location will be
Vanessa Countryman reports that Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has announced plans to relocate the headquarters of Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. from Cypress, California, to Kennesaw, Georgia. The transition is expected to take place in phases from late 2026 through 2028.
March 4, 2026 Georgia.gov
Gov. Kemp Signs Amended Budget To Provide Tax Relief, Fund Georgia DREAMS, Invest in Transportation & Mental Health
Staff reports that Gov. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lt. Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, House and Senate Appropriations Chairmen Tillery and Hatchett, constitutional officers, and members of the Georgia General Assembly, today signed HB 973, the Amended Budget for Fiscal Year 2026.
March 4, 2026 WABE
Car booting ban stalls in Georgia legislature
Rahul Bali reports, a bipartisan bill to ban vehicle booting in Georgia is in trouble after it was assigned to a committee with no chair. Democratic state Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs already authored successful legislation to regulate the practice of booting vehicles in 2025.
March 4, 2026 Decaturish
Vote on proposal to eliminate Georgia property taxes fails
Zoe Seiler reports that Georgia lawmakers did not pass a resolution March 3 that would eliminate property taxes through a state constitutional amendment. But the bill will be reconsidered on Wednesday, March 4. House Resolution 1114 would reduce homestead property taxes to 10 percent of the assessed value by 2032.
March 4, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Georgia House, Senate advance bills that critics say could curb ability to protest
Maya Homan reports that a bill creating a new felony charge of obstructing a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle cleared the House in a contentious vote Tuesday evening. A separate bill raising the penalties against protesters who block streets or highways passed the Senate hours earlier largely along party lines.
March 4, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Georgia State House declines proposal for regulating psychedelic therapy clinics
Ty Tagami reports that Georgia lawmakers declined to tighten regulations for clinics that administer Ketamine and other drugs used for psychedelic therapy, but the debate is not over yet. The 73-88 vote against House Bill 717 on the House floor Tuesday was a rejection of a request by the Georgia Composite Medical Board to require that only specially trained physicians be allowed to have majority ownership of such clinics.
March 4, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In race to replace Greene, Trump’s endorsement faces crowded test
Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein report, the race to succeed U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is many things at once: a test of President Donald Trump’s power in one of Georgia’s deepest-red corners, an identity check for local Republicans and a rare opening for Democrats. All of it collides Tuesday, when a field of more than a dozen contenders appears on the same ballot in a free-for-all to succeed Greene that is only the first step in what could become a five-election slog to claim the seat.
