Georgia Trend Daily – March 16, 2026
March 16, 2026 GPB
The World Cup is less than 100 days away. Atlanta business, transit leaders share latest prep plans
Amanda Andrews reports that leaders from the Atlanta World Cup Host Committee, transportation, and business organizations around the state spoke on various panels Thursday about their ongoing preparations for the tournament. Atlanta will host eight World Cup matches this summer starting June 15.
March 16, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
2026 Georgia Education Guide
Staff reports, Georgia is home to an array of postsecondary education options, from large public universities with satellite campuses to private four-year colleges and universities, and to a statewide career and technical education system with a range of pathways, including a robust registered apprenticeship program.
March 16, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Atlanta is at the center of a railroad merger with big economic implications
Emma Hurt reports, in boardrooms and ballrooms featuring the elite of the North American freight rail industry, a big question is on the table. Should Union Pacific, the Omaha-based Western railroad company, be allowed to acquire Norfolk Southern, the Atlanta-based Eastern railroad, and merge into the nation’s largest — and first truly transcontinental — railroad company?
March 16, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer
Inside Pratt & Whitney’s Columbus expansion agreement: bonds, jobs and what’s required
Jordyn Paul-Slater reports, on Feb. 24, the Ledger-Enquirer reported that Pratt & Whitney, an RTX company, will invest $200 million to expand its Columbus operations. The new project is expected to create 15 jobs, with more to come, according to a news release.
March 16, 2026 GlobalAtlanta.com
Macon Symposium: Uncertain Trade Rules Affecting Investment Across Georgia
Trevor Williams reports, as Jason Dunn delved deeper into a proposed project that would benefit rural Georgia’s wood sector, an unforeseen problem emerged. Tariffs were set to significantly raise the costs of perhaps the biggest line item in the client’s new facility — machinery imported from Germany.
March 16, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
Cumberland leaders celebrate growth while looking ahead to major projects
Jack Lindner reports, after a year filled with major project completions, more developments are on the horizon for the Cumberland community. A panel discussion hosted by Connie Engel, CEO of Strada Communities, saw Commissioner Erick Allen, Charles Beirne, general manager and CEO of the Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority, and others discuss varying projects and highlights this week.
March 16, 2026 Walton Tribune
Dycom to open training facility in Walton County
Staff reports, the Development Authority of Walton County announced that Dycom Industries, a national leader in telecommunications and digital infrastructure services, will establish a state-of-the-art training facility in Walton County. This investment underscores Dycom’s commitment to workforce development and innovation in the telecommunications and digital infrastructure sectors.
March 16, 2026 Rough Draft Atlanta
Nine chefs named to state’s 2026 Georgia Grown Executive Chef class
Staff reports, nine chefs from across Georgia were named to the state’s 2026 Georgia Grown Executive Chef class on March 11, part of State Restaurant Day at the Capitol. The program, a joint initiative between the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Georgia Restaurant Association, recognizes chefs who actively source ingredients from Georgia farmers and use their kitchens to promote locally grown food.
March 16, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Lawmaker calls it quits, governor’s race brings fireworks, calls for gas tax suspension and more
Ross Williams, Maya Homan and Alander Rocha report, the big election news this week came out of northwest Georgia, where voters whittled down the long list of candidates who are hoping to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. That race is now set for an April 7 runoff, but state legislative races also remain unsettled and are heading to their own runoffs.
March 16, 2026 State Affairs
The Gold Leaf: Week nine of the 2026 legislative session
Beau Evans reports, lawmakers spent the ninth week of the 2026 legislative session recovering after the advance-or-die Crossover Day deadline and gearing up for a final sprint to wrap up bill wrangling by April 2. The week’s biggest development boiled down to key moves on a new state budget that sets aside the first significant funding for a House-led initiative to help every child in Georgia learn how to read.
March 16, 2026 Georgia Press
Georgia House advances bill for small housing units
Zoe Seiler reports, a bill that removes zoning regulations for smaller homes has advanced out of the Georgia House and is in the state Senate for consideration. House Bill 1166, sponsored by Rep. Tangie Herring, D-Macon, eliminates zoning regulations for homes that are 400 square feet or smaller.
March 16, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Bipartisan bill calls for putting funds toward homelessness prevention in Georgia
Juliana Milevsky reports, lawmakers have been looking at ways to respond to rising homelessness in Georgia, with $50 million added to this year’s budget for what are being called homelessness response grants. But another proposal under consideration this year is focused on preventing vulnerable Georgians from losing their housing in the first place.
March 16, 2026 Capitol Beat News
Georgia legislation raises concerns about public access to police videos
Ty Tagami reports that four words added to legislation that targets mugshot mills have free speech advocates worried the public could lose access to videos that hold police accountable for their conduct. Legislation that started in Georgia’s Senate as a solution to the reputational harm caused when booking photographs circulate online after charges are dismissed has evolved into a much broader measure.
March 16, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In Georgia governor’s race, Democrats battle for second spot in likely runoff
Greg Bluestein reports, near the end of another Democratic forum for governor last week, Jason Esteves did something that’s fast becoming routine: He took a bracing shot at former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan. The ex-legislator unveiled a microsite eviscerating the party-switching former Republican, saying, “It’s time for accountability.”
