Georgia Trend Daily – Oct. 17, 2025

Oct. 17, 2025 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Synovus names Columbus, Phenix City regional leaders in next phase of merger

Jordyn Paul-Slater reports that Synovus Financial Corporation and Pinnacle Financial Partners announced Thursdsay a list of new regional leaders for their Georgia markets in the next phase of their merger. Each leader appointed will oversee local teams across the state, according to their news release.

Oct. 17, 2025 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Business Friendly; Lifestyle Fun

Linda M. Erbele reports, in June, Greater Hall County Chamber officials took part in not one, but two kagami biraki ceremonies – traditional Japanese sake barrel openings – as Kubota Manufacturing of America opened its new $190 million plant and Mimaki USA opened its new corporate office in Flowery Branch. It was a ritual that marks a new beginning – and it reflected the county’s broad appeal.

Oct. 17, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

AmericasMart aims to help boutiques grapple with tariffs

Zachary Hansen reports, thousands gathered Tuesday to kick off the four-day Atlanta Apparel market at AmericasMart, one of the country’s largest wholesale trade shows for clothes and accessories. It represents a consistent opportunity for small businesses to restock their shelves with the latest trends, which the market’s operators say provides stability even during uncertain economic times.

Oct. 17, 2025 Saporta Report

Invest Atlanta keeps up downtown business boost ahead of World Cup

Delaney Tarr reports, at an Oct. 16 meeting, the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors approved a host of grant funds to help revitalize downtown Atlanta as the city’s economic development agency continues to gear up for the World Cup in 2026. As Atlanta prepares to host eight FIFA World Cup matches next summer, local leaders are pushing to revitalize the largely empty downtown area.

Oct. 17, 2025 WABE

Venture Atlanta celebrates nearly two decades of connecting the Southeast’s tech world

Marlon Hyde reports that the Venture Atlanta conference is celebrating its 18th year of connecting the Southeast’s tech world with investors. Venture Atlanta, which opened on Wednesday, saw its largest attendance last year with over 1,600 attendees and expects to bring in a similar number this year.

Oct. 17, 2025 Marietta Daily Journal

Blaze Pizza launches innovation hub in Cumberland

Megan Jackson reports, shouts of “free pizza” echoed through Akers Mill during a free pizza day following the grand opening of IGNITE by Blaze Pizza, an innovation location by Blaze Pizza used to test new technology and menu items. The new restaurant, located at 2955 Cobb Parkway, features unique menu items such as Detroit deep dish pizza folds and s’more pies alongside menu classics like build-your-own pizzas, salads and cheesy bread.

Oct. 17, 2025 Macon Telegraph

‘Blight tax’ is going up in Macon after commission vote. Here’s where the money will go

Lucinda Warnke reports, the Macon-Bibb County Board of Commissioners voted to increase taxes on blighted properties at a special called meeting Tuesday. In a bid to strengthen the tax, the county commission voted unanimously to more than double the millage rate multiplier for blighted properties to bring it up to 15. The new rate will kick in at the start of 2026.

Oct. 17, 2025 WSB Radio

DeKalb County holds town hall meeting on potential new data centers

Staff reports that DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson held a town hall meeting with residents and industry representatives recently to discuss the possibility of building more data centers in the area. Cochran-Johnson said a single, large data center could generate between $1-$46 million annually.

Oct. 17, 2025 The Brunswick News

County unveils new text message service

Gordon Jackson reports, a new text messaging service designed to keep Glynn County residents informed about important events, meetings, emergencies, severe weather and more will go online Oct. 22. County officials are encouraging residents to register for the new service, TextMyGov, in advance by texting the key word “GLYNN” to 80946 to initiate the service.

Oct. 17, 2025 Albany Herald

Immigrant advocates condemn the reactivation of ICE contract at Irwin County Detention Center

Lucille Lannigan reports, just four years after the Biden administration’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement severed ties with an Irwin County Detention Center over abuse, the facility is once again receiving immigrant detainees. The Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC) in Ocilla,, a south Georgia town about 60 miles east of Albany with about 3,000 residents, ended its ICE agreement in 2021 after repeated reports of abuse and medical misconduct.

Oct. 17, 2025 State Affairs

Push to shrink Georgia’s 17-day early voting window gains new life

Beau Evans reports that counties may soon have the option to shorten the 17-day early voting period as lawmakers on a sweeping elections panel take a closer look at the subject ahead of the 2026 legislative session. The House Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Election Procedures has met six times since July to weigh broad changes on how voting is conducted in Georgia, including proposals to lighten the workload for local election officials struggling to keep polling places open amid tight budgets and limited staff.

Oct. 17, 2025 Capitol Beat News

Legislators hear more about changing Georgia election law

Ty Tagami reports that state lawmakers wrapped up another marathon hearing on Georgia’s election procedures Thursday, ahead of possible legislative changes next year.  The House election procedures committee took four hours to hear presentations in Americus from nearly a dozen advocates, experts and officials and to listen to brief comments from more than two dozen members of the public.

Oct. 17, 2025 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Republicans running for Georgia secretary of state are still split on 2020

Caleb Groves reports, Gabriel Sterling made national headlines by defending the results of the 2020 election. Now, he’s running in a primary against Republican rivals who’ve turned his defense into a campaign talking point. The 2026 contest to replace outgoing Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger will shape how Georgia oversees elections.