Georgia Trend Daily – July 23, 2026
July 23, 2026 Savannah Morning News
Gulfstream makes 400th delivery in G500 and G600 fleet
Evan Lasseter reports that one of Gulfstream’s pioneering fleets recently passed a major milestone. The G500 and G600 jet fleet hit its 400th customer, Gulfstream announced on July 20. The 400th delivery was a G600 delivered to a customer in the Asia-Pacific region after being outfitted at Gulfstream’s St. Louis facility, according to a Gulfstream press release.
July 23, 2026 Georgia Trend – Exclusive!
Georgia’s Growing Energy Needs Require a Strong Grid
Julia Roberts reports that Georgia communities expect safe, reliable and cost-effective power at home, at work and everywhere in between. As the state grows and technology changes how people use energy, the electric grid must be ready to meet rising demand.
July 23, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Tech giant OpenAI plans to build $20 billion data center near Georgia coast
Adam Von Brimmer reports that OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company behind the ChatGPT chatbot, said it intends to build a $20 billion data center in an industrial park in mostly rural Effingham County, about a 30-minute drive from Savannah’s downtown. The data center is projected to employ 400 workers in six-figure jobs when it opens in 2028 and increase to 1,000 employees by 2032.
July 23, 2026 Decaturish
Stone Mountain considers creating entertainment district
Jamie Godin reports that Stone Mountain officials advanced a broader downtown revitalization effort Tuesday, selecting a municipal financial adviser while reviewing plans for a district that would allow visitors to carry alcoholic drinks between participating businesses. The City Council voted unanimously to designate Davenport & Co. as the finalist for the financial advisory position and authorized City Manager Miglena Dimov to negotiate an agreement with the firm.
July 23, 2026 The Current
The Okefenokee is about to be honored, but some locals aren’t celebrating
Mary Landers reports, the Okefenokee swamp is poised to join awe-inspiring U.S. landscapes including the Grand Canyon and the Everglades as the nation’s 27th World Heritage Site, a designation a United Nations committee will vote to formalize early Saturday in South Korea. Despite the prestige, it’s an honor that some folks who live near the swamp would just as soon skip.
July 23, 2026 The Brunswick News
Environmentalists at odds with DNR on proposed dock rules
Michael Hall reports that the Georgia Department of Natural Resources says proposed regulations for private docks will formalize a process already being used, but environmental advocates warn that it opens the door for larger docks that will do more damage to sensitive marshland. A public comment period closes Friday on the new rules that, among other things, sets the maximum length of docks at 1,000 feet with the possibility of a 100-foot variance extending them to 1,100 feet, and the maximum width of walkways to 6 feet, twice the width of current standards.
July 23, 2026 Newnan Times-Herald
Project Oak data center hearing rescheduled to Aug. 25
Jeffrey Cullen-Dean reports, at the request of Project Oak’s developers, the Coweta Board of Commissioners rescheduled the data center’s public hearing to Aug. 25. However, local residents said it should be delayed even further.
July 23, 2026 Albany Herald
Albany, Dougherty County looking at data center regulations
Alan Mauldin reports that Albany and Dougherty County elected officials are taking steps to address the public’s concerns about data centers and scrambling to enact regulations to govern large facilities, should they come knocking to locate in the area. On Monday, the Dougherty County Commission initiated a 45-day “pause” on considering requests for approval of any new data centers.
July 23, 2026 Valdosta Daily Times
Child health programs earn statewide recognition
Staff reports that three Georgia Department of Public Health South Health District child health programs were recognized for excellence, innovation and family engagement during the 2026 Georgia Child Health Conference. During the June conference, the district’s Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (EHDI) program received the Access and Innovation Award, Children’s Medical Services (CMS) earned the Champions of Family Engagement Award, and Children 1st (C1st) was honored with the Excellence in Performance Award, the public health district said in a press release.
July 23, 2026 The Brunswick News
House bill including $346M in funding for military bases in First District passes
Staff reports, the U.S. House passed $346.1 million for military bases in Georgia’s First Congressional District that includes more than $200 million for Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. The funding is part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which now heads to the Senate for consideration.
July 23, 2026 Marietta Daily Journal
Trump promotes new investment program, rallies Georgia Republicans at Wheeler High
Isabelle Manders reports, with the local economy top of mind for many voters heading into the November midterm elections, President Donald Trump visited Wheeler High School Wednesday to promote the new Trump Accounts investment program, touting his administration’s economic agenda while rallying support for Republican candidates expected to appear on Georgia’s ballot this November.
July 23, 2026 State Affairs
Data centers back in the crosshairs in Georgia House
Beau Evans reports that data centers are back in the spotlight for top state lawmakers weighing how to retool Georgia’s tax structure to the benefit of homeowners. The AI-generating facilities were the subject of debate Wednesday over whether they should be charged franchise fees that could generate millions in revenue for counties, potentially allowing local governments to lower property taxes.
July 23, 2026 Georgia Recorder
Trump boosts Republican candidates, urges Senate to pass SAVE Act during Cobb County visit
Maya Homan reports that, facing what is likely to be a difficult midterm election in Georgia and across the country, President Donald Trump touted his economic platform during a visit to Wheeler High School in Cobb County Wednesday. Several Republican candidates for statewide office had speaking slots, giving the official White House event a distinctly partisan tint.
July 23, 2026 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia election board promotes new voter-roll tool ahead of midterms
Caleb Groves reports that the creator of a controversial software used by conservative activists to challenge voter registrations they view as suspect is pitching a new program ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Rick Richards, a retired doctor from Augusta and creator of the program ELLY, frames it as a neutral, data-driven tool for identifying discrepancies in voter rolls and ineligible registrants.
