Georgia Trend Daily – July 16, 2026

July 16, 2026 The Brunswick News

Infrastructure bill to pay for 58 miles of fiber at Georgia ports

Staff reports, a recently passed federal infrastructure bill includes just under $21 million to install fiber connections to increase efficiency and connectivity between freight vehicles. That contribution is part of a $26 million package that also includes funding for a transportation project in Cobb County, two bridge replacements over railroad corridors, multi-modal access and operational improvements to increase community connectivity across the state.

July 16, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!

Unofficial Guide Issue 07.14: Eat, Visit, Do, and Shop

Jana Lawrence reports, as we come to the end of the summer and school starts getting back in session, we bring you another Unofficial Guide with some of our favorite places. Eat: Little Barn in Lawrenceville. There are salmon croquettes on the breakfast menu, so how could you go wrong?

July 16, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Automotive company to expand near Atlanta. This one plans 160 jobs.

Carson Bonner reports, the company that makes Prime Guard automotive products and Rain-X wiper fluid has picked McDonough for a significant expansion, one that will bring 160 jobs to Henry County. Tennessee-based Highline Warren said it will build the $170 million logistics center in a vacant complex along Ga. 42 that formerly housed a mattress manufacturing facility.

July 16, 2026 Georgia Recorder

Georgia communities rally support to help convert local newspapers into nonprofits

Ellie Fivas reports that while some Georgia newsrooms are shrinking or closing down, two of the state’s largest local publications are being reimagined as nonprofit newsrooms. The Georgia Trust for Local News announced Wednesday that they have acquired the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer and the Macon Telegraph to join its growing nonprofit media portfolio.

July 16, 2026 Valdosta Daily Times

Southern Georgia Regional Commission receives transportation award

Staff reports, the Southern Georgia Regional Commission has been selected to receive a 2026 Excellence in Regional Transportation Award from the National Association of Development Organizations for its Regional Transit Implementation project. The award, presented by the NADO Research Foundation and RPO America, recognizes noteworthy projects and practices in rural and small metropolitan transportation planning, program delivery, and special initiatives.

July 16, 2026 Columbus Ledger-Enquirer

Have an idea for a business? Enter this competition for emerging entrepreneurs.

Jordyn Paul-Slater reports, StartUP Columbus is now accepting applications for its LaunchCon Pitch Competition happening on November 13. The competition is a live business pitch event designed to give emerging entrepreneurs access to capital, exposure, and support as they work to grow their businesses.

July 16, 2026 Macon Telegraph

GA Military College closing Warner Robins campus. What it means for students, staff

Myracle Lewis reports that Georgia Military College at Warner Robins celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019. Seven years later, school officials said the campus will be closing. The 2026 spring term was the last semester students were physically at the Warner Robins satellite campus, and the facility’s lease expires in September, according to GMC spokesperson Jobie Shields.

July 16, 2026 Macon Melody

A unique Macon lettuce farm is competing in a statewide contest

Evelyn Davidson reports, BrightFarms looks nothing like your typical Middle Georgia farm. It’s an 8-acre greenhouse that serves as a regional hub for lettuce production in the Southeast, churning out roughly 14,000 pounds of greens daily.

July 16, 2026 Newnan Times-Herald

Flint Riverkeeper and Fayetteville residents plan to file lawsuit against data center developers

Jeffrey Cullen-Dean reports that Fayetteville residents and Flint Riverkeeper recently announced their plans to file a lawsuit against the QTS data center. The lawsuit will be filed on July 27, according to the announcement, after a 60-day notice.

July 16, 2026 Union-Recorder

New alert system makes its debut in Baldwin Co.

Billy Hobbs reports, a new mass communication notification system is in use in Milledgeville and Baldwin County. It’s called the WAVE Mobile Alert/Smart 911 System, according to Baldwin County Emergency Management/Homeland Security Agency Director Wayne Johnson.

July 16, 2026 WABE

Researchers launch Georgia’s first Superfund research center

Emily Jones reports that researchers from six universities are launching Georgia’s first Superfund research center, with $15 million in funding from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences over five years. The team made up of scientists from Emory University, the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Morehouse School of Medicine, Spelman College, and Texas Tech University will look at Glynn County’s four toxic Superfund sites, including the one near Holmes.

July16, 2026 Georgia.gov

Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan Improvements Take Effect

Staff reports that Gov. Kemp on Wednesday highlighted two major enhancements to Georgia’s Path2College 529 Plan designed to help families save more effectively for future education costs. SB 556, signed by Governor Kemp in May, raises the maximum account balance for Path2College 529 Plan accounts from $235,000 to $550,000.

July 16, 2026 Georgia Recorder

CDC nominee on shaky ground following US Senate confirmation hearing

Jennifer Shutt reports that President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention didn’t appear to secure the support needed to take over the public health agency during a lengthy and often tense confirmation hearing Wednesday. While Dr. Erica Schwartz told lawmakers on the U.S. Senate Committee that oversees health policy she would “never betray the science,” she didn’t seem to win the trust of Democrats or key Republicans needed to advance.

July 16, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Trump’s speech threatens to disrupt Georgia’s midterms

Caleb Groves reports, in a planned primetime address Thursday, President Donald Trump is expected to air his concerns about election security and voting machines — potentially making new accusations about the security of Georgia’s voting machines months ahead of the midterm election. Trump has been vague about his speech.