The Georgia Senate on Friday approved its version of the $42.3 billion amended state budget, keeping major tax rebates for Georgians while increasing funding for mental health services and rural infrastructure.
Construction on Pilgrim’s Pride’s new prepared foods plant in Walker County is expected to begin this fall, a major step forward in a $400 million development local and state leaders say could reshape the area’s economy and bring hundreds of jobs to Northwest Georgia.
New home construction in unincorporated Walker County slowed in 2025 as rising construction costs pushed home prices higher, but county officials say activity remains historically strong despite the slowdown.
The Georgia Chamber Foundation has released its 2026 Economic Competitiveness Redbook, offering a detailed snapshot of economic conditions, trends, and benchmarks across the state — including county-level research findings for Chattooga County.
The City of Summerville has issued a Request for Bids (RFB) for the construction and installation of an Outdoor Basketball Court Clear-Span Pavilion.
According to city officials, sealed bids for RFB-2026-120 – Outdoor Basketball Court Pavilion will be accepted at Summerville City Hall, 120 Georgia Avenue, until 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026. All bids must remain valid for 60 business days and comply with the conditions outlined in the bid documents.
Bids will be opened publicly at 2:00 p.m. on March 6 in the City Hall Council Room. While bids will be opened that day, the City notes that no award will be made immediately, allowing designated officials adequate time to review all submissions.
To be considered, bids must be submitted in sealed envelopes clearly marked on the outside with:
“RFB-2026-120 – Outdoor Basketball Court Pavilion.”
Any bids received after the deadline will not be accepted. The City of Summerville emphasized that it is not responsible for late submissions, regardless of delivery method or cause.
Interested contractors can access full bid specifications and requirements through the official bid document provided by the City of Summerville. Click here for Bid Document
State Senator Chuck Hufstetler, a Republican from Rome, says lawmakers are taking a closer look at the rapid growth of data centers across Georgia, calling it one of the most pressing economic and infrastructure issues facing the state.
Siemens Energy announced Tuesday that it will invest $1 billion in its operations across the United States, including a major expansion at its facility in Fort Payne, Alabama. The investment is aimed at increasing manufacturing capacity to meet growing demand for power generation and electrical grid equipment.
Capitol Beat News Service contributed to this story
A proposed amendment to the Georgia Constitution could eliminate sales taxes on timber, a move supporters say would help stabilize a forestry industry that has been hammered by mill closures and storm damage. House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration of Mulberry is sponsoring House Resolution 1000, saying the bipartisan effort is meant to protect what he called a cornerstone of Georgia’s rural economy.
A Georgia state senator is renewing a push to make data centers pay more of their own way, sponsoring legislation that would roll back a major sales tax incentive while arguing the savings could be used to reduce taxes for everyone else.
Gov. Brian Kemp says Georgia should invest $1.8 billion to relieve one of metro Atlanta’s most notorious traffic choke points by expanding toll express lanes on Interstate 75 in the southern suburbs. The proposal would add a lane in each direction along a heavily congested stretch in Henry and Clayton counties, where 12 miles of reversible express lanes already operate, and Kemp argues the change could boost traffic throughput on I-75 by as much as 70% as congestion surges back after the pandemic-era lull.
Kemp pitched the plan during the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as part of a broader request for $2.4 billion in additional infrastructure spending, funded through an amendment to the current year’s budget using Georgia’s surplus cash. The package also includes $200 million to continue upgrades along Georgia 316, $250 million for local road improvements, $100 million aimed at bridges and rural communities, and $35 million to extend natural gas lines in rural areas.