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May 12, 2026

Nominations Open For “Coolest Thing Made In Georgia” Competition

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The Georgia Chamber of Commerce, along with Synovus, now merged with Pinnacle Financial Partners, has opened nominations for the second annual “Coolest Thing Made in Georgia” competition.

The statewide contest is designed to celebrate Georgia-based companies and the products they manufacture. Nominations opened today, May 11, and will remain open through June 8 at gachamber.com/coolestthing.

The competition will be capped at 32 approved entrants and will follow a knockout-style public voting format. Once nominations are approved, voting in the first round will begin at 10 a.m. on June 19 and close at 9 a.m. on June 25.

The winner will be determined by public voting and announced during the Georgia Chamber Congressional Luncheon in Athens on August 5.

Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark said the competition highlights the talent, ingenuity, and entrepreneurial spirit shaping the state’s future, while also recognizing the people and companies behind products made in Georgia.

Charlie Clark, state head of Georgia banking for Pinnacle Financial Partners, said the contest recognizes innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs helping drive economic growth across Georgia.

February 9, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia Chamber Foundation Releases 2026 Economic Competitiveness Redbook

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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.

January 20, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Kemp Proposes $1.8 Billion Expansion of I-75 Toll Lanes to Ease Metro Atlanta Gridlock

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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.

January 16, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Kemp at Eggs & Issues: Affordability First, Big Transportation Spending, Energy Reliability, Workforce Pathways, and a New Homelessness Grant

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Governor Brian Kemp delivered the closing address at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s annual Eggs & Issues event earlier this week, outlining what he described as his top legislative and budget priorities for the 2026 General Assembly session.