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April 13, 2026

Georgia Families Feeling The Pinch As Health Insurance Costs Continue To Climb

Local News, Local News Items #AffordableCoverage, #BudgetStrain, #CostOfLiving, #EconomicPressure, #FamilyBudgets, #FarmEconomy, #GeorgiaFamilies, #GeorgiaFarmers, #GeorgiaHealth, #georgianews, #HealthcareAccess, #HealthcareCosts, #HealthInsurance, #InsuranceCosts, #MedicalCosts, #ruralhealth, #SelfEmployed, #smallbusiness, #SmallBusinessOwners, #WorkingFamilies, #wzqznews 0

Health insurance costs continue to put pressure on family budgets in Georgia, and even when premiums are not the highest in the country, many households here still feel the strain more sharply than families in other states. Nationally, the average annual premium for employer-sponsored family coverage reached $26,993 in 2025, with workers paying an average of $6,850 of that total out of pocket. At the same time, workers’ wages rose 4% while family premiums rose 6%, meaning insurance costs are still growing faster than paychecks.

March 30, 2026

by Jimmy Holbrook

Deadline Approaching For Georgia Annual Business Registration

Local News, Local News Items #AnnualRegistration, #April1Deadline, #BusinessCompliance, #BusinessNews, #chattoogacounty, #DeadlineReminder, #GeorgiaBusiness, #georgianews, #LLC, #LocalBusiness, #northwestgeorgia, #SecretaryOfState, #smallbusiness, #wzqznews 0

Georgia business owners are being reminded that the annual registration deadline with the Secretary of State’s office is fast approaching.

All businesses, including LLCs and corporations, must complete their annual registration for 2026 by April 1 to remain in active compliance. The standard filing fee is $50 for most businesses.

Officials warn that failing to file by the deadline will result in a $25 late penalty and could eventually lead to administrative dissolution or revocation of the business entity.

Business owners are encouraged to file online through the Georgia Secretary of State’s website to ensure timely processing and avoid penalties.

March 22, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Local Students Shine in FLEX Program Business Competition

Local News, Local News Items #BusinessCompetition, #chattoogachamber, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityNews, #EducationNews, #Entrepreneurship, #FLEXProgram, #FutureLeaders, #northwestgeorgia, #smallbusiness, #StudentSuccess, #summervillega, #wzqznews, #YoungEntrepreneurs, LocalStudents 0

Young entrepreneurs in Chattooga County are being recognized for their innovation and hard work through the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce’s FLEX program.

March 11, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Lyerly Drive Thru Owner Announces Business Is for Sale

Local News, Local News Items #BusinessForSale, #BusinessOpportunity, #ChattoogaCountyGA, #CommunityNews, #Entrepreneurship, #LocalBusiness, #LocalEconomy, #LyerlyDriveThru, #lyerlyga, #northwestgeorgia, #RestaurantNews, #smallbusiness, #SupportLocalBusiness, #TownOfLyerly, #wzqznews 0

The owner of the only restaurant in the Town of Lyerly has announced that Lyerly Drive Thru is being offered for sale, citing retirement planning and family commitments.

In a statement, the owner said the decision was made after thoughtful consideration and with retirement in mind. Family obligations are also prompting the owner to spend more time at home.

The owner described the listing as a great opportunity for someone interested in owning and operating a business in Lyerly.

According to the announcement, the sale will include the land, equipment and other essentials needed to continue operations. The owner also said the business will continue operating as usual during the sale process and that assistance will be provided to help the buyer get started when the time comes.

March 5, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Georgia SB 94 Would Restore Consumer Utility Advocate for Rate Cases

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #ConsumerProtection, #EnergyCosts, #GASenate, #georgiapolitics, #northwestgeorgia, #PublicServiceCommission, #RateCases, #ResidentialCustomers, #RomeGA, #SB94, #smallbusiness, #StateCapitol, #UtilityBills, #wzqznews 0

A bill advancing at the Georgia Capitol could bring back an independent watchdog for ratepayers as power costs remain a major concern for families and small businesses across Northwest Georgia.

March 2, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Chattooga Chamber to Host Lunch & Learn with Summerville City Manager Jason Winters

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogachamber, #chattoogacounty, #CommunityGrowth, #EconomicDevelopment, #JasonWinters, #LunchAndLearn, #northwestgeorgia, #RuralZone, #smallbusiness, #summervillega, #wzqznews 0

The Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce will host a Lunch & Learn event on Monday, March 16 at 12 p.m. featuring Summerville City Manager Jason Winters as the guest speaker.

The event will be held at 10050 Commerce Street in Summerville.

According to the Chamber, Winters will discuss how the City of Summerville’s recently awarded Rural Zone designation is expected to help revitalize the city’s business landscape. The designation is designed to encourage investment and economic development in designated downtown areas.

The catered lunch is open to the public, but reservations are required. Admission is $12 for Chamber members and $17 for non-members. Organizers encourage attendees to review the event policy on the official event page prior to registering.

Chamber officials say the event will provide valuable insight for business owners, community leaders, and residents interested in the future of economic growth in Summerville.

February 17, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

LaFayette Farmers Market Now Accepting Vendor Applications for 2026 Season

Local News, Local News Items #Artisans, #BakedGoods, #CallForVendors, #CommunityMarket, #DowntownLaFayette, #FarmersMarket, #FarmToTable, #FreshProduce, #GeorgiaGrown, #HandmadeGoods, #LaFayetteFarmersMarket, #LaFayetteGA, #LocalAgriculture, #LocalMakers, #LocalVendors, #northwestgeorgia, #SaturdayMarket, #ShopLocal, #smallbusiness, #SpringEvents, #SummerEvents, #SupportLocal, #VendorApplications, #WalkerCounty, #wzqznews 0

LaFayette Farmers Market-GA is inviting local makers, growers, and producers to apply to become vendors for the 2026 market season. Market organizers say the LaFayette Farmers Market is a producer-only, community-centered market focused on supporting local agriculture, artisans, and small businesses—welcoming vendors who grow it, raise it, bake it, or make it.

All vendors, including those who participated in past seasons, are required to re-apply for 2026. The market will run Saturdays from April 25 through August 29, operating 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., rain or shine, in Downtown LaFayette, Georgia.

Vendor applications are available online HERE

February 12, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Southern Serenity Skin + Spa to Hold Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Summerville

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogachamber, #chattoogacounty, #grandopening, #LocalBusiness, #northwestgeorgia, #RibbonCutting, #smallbusiness, #SouthernSerenity, #summervillega, #summervillemainstreet, #SupportLocal, #wzqznews 0

A new locally owned skincare business is celebrating its official opening this week in Summerville.

January 29, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

Trion High Student Ryder Harris Joins Nearly 100 Young Entrepreneurs on Georgia FLEX Trip to Capitol and AmericasMart

Local News, Local News Items #AmericasMart, #AtlantaGA, #chattoogacounty, #ChattoogaCountyChamber, #CivicEngagement, #CommunityNews, #EducationNews, #FLEXProgram, #GeorgiaCapitol, #GeorgiaFLEX, #GeorgiaGrown, #northwestgeorgia, #RyderHarris, #smallbusiness, #StudentEntrepreneurs, #trionga, #trionhighschool, #WorkforceDevelopment, #wzqznews, #YouthEntrepreneurship 0

A Trion High School student is among nearly 100 student entrepreneurs from across Georgia who took part in the inaugural statewide Georgia FLEX field trip in Atlanta. Ryder Harris was able to attend because he participates in the FLEX Entrepreneurial Program through the Chattooga County Chamber of Commerce.

January 26, 2026

by WZQZ NEWS

The Crushed Tomato in Summerville Closes After 14 Years; LaFayette Location Remains Open

Local News, Local News Items #chattoogacounty, #CommunityNews, #LaFayetteGA, #LocalBusiness, #smallbusiness, #summervillega, #TheCrushedTomato, #WalkerCountyGA, #wzqznews 0

A longtime favorite in Summerville has served its last slice. The Crushed Tomato closed its doors last week after 14 years in business.