The Walker County Board of Commissioners has approved a temporary moratorium on new data center development, giving county officials time to study the issue and determine whether additional local regulations are needed before such facilities are considered.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development has announced more than $1.3 million in competitive grant funding for arts organizations across the state, with 179 grants awarded in 37 counties during the first round of Georgia Council for the Arts fiscal year 2027 funding. The grants support nonprofit arts organizations, community projects, and arts education programs.
Chattooga County is among the recipients. The Paradise Garden Foundation in Summerville received a $10,000 General Operating Support Grant, which provides funding to help nonprofit arts organizations with day-to-day operating expenses and programming.
State officials say the grants help strengthen communities by supporting festivals, museums, theater productions, educational programs, and other arts initiatives that attract visitors, enhance downtowns, and contribute to local economies.
Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson said the arts play a vital role in communities of all sizes, helping create vibrant downtowns, support small businesses, and provide students with opportunities to develop creativity and problem-solving skills.
The grants are funded through appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional Georgia Council for the Arts funding through the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities grant programs is expected to be announced later this fall.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp are leading an international economic development mission this week to Scotland and Ireland, where they are meeting with business leaders and government officials to strengthen relationships and encourage additional investment in Georgia.
The delegation includes representatives from the Georgia Department of Economic Development and will meet with executives from Hyundai Motor Group, whose investments in Georgia represent the largest economic development project in state history. The Governor is also scheduled to meet with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin and visit several companies with operations in Georgia.
Among the companies participating are Kerry Group, which operates food-processing facilities in Rome and Calhoun, along with CRH, Kingspan Group, Mallaghan, and Smurfit Westrock. The delegation will also tour the Georgia Southern University Wexford Campus to promote educational and economic partnerships between Georgia and Ireland.
Governor Kemp said the trip is focused on creating new jobs and expanding opportunities for hardworking Georgians through continued international investment.
Governor Brian Kemp recently met privately with executives from OpenAI and Georgia Power as state leaders continue exploring Georgia’s role in the rapidly expanding artificial intelligence industry. According to documents obtained through the Georgia Open Records Act, the meeting took place on June 11 at the State Capitol, although neither the Governor’s Office nor OpenAI disclosed what was discussed.
Governor Brian P. Kemp has announced the fourth round of Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) grants, awarding $7.8 million to ten projects across Georgia to help rural communities prepare industrial sites for future business recruitment and job creation. With this latest round, the state has now invested $28 million in rural site development since the program was launched in Fiscal Year 2025.
A newly released report from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) shows that most counties across Northwest Georgia continue to maintain stable economic classifications, although a handful of counties remain among the region’s most economically challenged. The designations are used by ARC to help determine grant eligibility and investment priorities for economic and community development projects throughout Appalachia.
Congressman Clay Fuller spent time back in Georgia’s 14th Congressional District last week, meeting with local business owners, workers, and community leaders across Northwest Georgia.
Fuller’s visits included stops with Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling, the Medical College of Georgia’s regional campus in Rome, Georgia Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Chris Clark, Covenant Logistics, Solmax Geosynthetics in Ringgold, Catoosa County leaders, and Rockmart Fuel Containment in Polk County.
In Chattooga County, Fuller toured Smith Ironworks, where he met with team members and learned more about the company’s work and role in the local economy.
Fuller said small businesses, manufacturers, transportation companies, and local employers remain a critical part of Northwest Georgia’s economy. He said hearing directly from workers and business leaders helps him better advocate for the district in Washington.
His office said Fuller remains committed to supporting small business owners, workers, and entrepreneurs across Georgia’s 14th District.
Job seekers from across Northeast Alabama and Northwest Georgia will have an opportunity to connect with regional employers during the DeKalb County Hiring Event on Thursday, June 25.
The event will be held from 1 p.m. until 3 p.m. at the Wills Valley Recreation Center, located at 4420 Godfrey Avenue NE in Fort Payne.
Several employers are expected to participate, including G2, Siemens Energy, Plasman, DeKalb Regional Medical Center, Thrive Outdoor, Ferguson, and others. Organizers say the event is designed to bring employers and prospective employees together in one location, allowing job seekers to learn about available positions and meet directly with hiring representatives.
The hiring event is being presented through a partnership involving the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce, the City of Fort Payne, the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority, Career Connect North Alabama, and AIDT.
Individuals interested in attending are encouraged to pre-register online, though walk-ins may also be welcomed.
Organizers say the event is ideal for those seeking a new career opportunity, exploring different industries, or looking to make connections with employers currently hiring throughout the region.
The City of Summerville has approved a balanced budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year that includes no increases to property taxes or utility base rates.
Candidate Holly Chaney recently spoke at a meeting of the Chattooga County Democratic Party, where she answered questions from members and outlined her objectives as a representative for Georgia House District 12.
