July 2026 Features

• Atlanta Delivers Historic FIFA World Cup 2026 from Kickoff to the Semifinal

  July 17, 2026

  Atlanta concluded an extraordinary FIFA World Cup 2026 hosting run on July 15th with a semifinal match-up between Argentina and England at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, capping eight matches that showcased the city at its very best.

• Georgia Lottery Annual Profits for HOPE, Pre-K Exceed $1.54B

  July 17, 2026

  Governor Brian Kemp announced the Georgia Lottery Corp. raised $1,540,868,000 for education in fiscal year 2026, bringing the total transferred to the State Treasury’s Lottery for Education Account since inception in 1993 to more than $31.3 billion.

• Georgia Power Reaffirms Longstanding Commitment to Make Growth Work for Customers with Customer Protection Pledge

  July 16, 2026

  With new residents moving to the state and large-energy users like data centers and manufacturers choosing Georgia, Georgia Power continues to work to ensure that growth benefits all Georgia Power customers.

• CEO Confidence Slips in Q2 as Inflation and Economic Uncertainty Take Hold

  July 16, 2026

  Small and midsize business CEOs' confidence in the economy declined in the second quarter of 2026, according to the latest CEO Confidence Index from Vistage, a CEO coaching and peer advisory organization.

• St. Mary’s Health Care System Named Official Health Care Provider of Athens Indoor Football

  July 15, 2026

  Athens Indoor Football is proud to announce a landmark partnership with St. Mary's Health Care System, which has been named the team's Official Health Care Provider beginning with the club's inaugural Indoor Football League (IFL) season in 2027.

• Top 8 Products Announced in Coolest Thing Made in Georgia Competition

  July 10, 2026

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce announced today the Top 8 finalists in the second annual Coolest Thing Made in Georgia competition, presented by Synovus, now merged with Pinnacle Financial Partners. After thousands of votes from across the country and around the world, only eight Georgia-made products remain in the bracket-style competition celebrating the innovation, craftsmanship, and manufacturing excellence that power Georgia's economy.

• Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz Inducted into the Georgia Municipal Hall of Fame

  July 09, 2026

  The Georgia Municipal Association inducted Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz into the Georgia Municipal Government Hall of Fame during GMA's Annual Convention in Savannah, recognizing his distinguished service, visionary leadership, and lasting contributions to local government in Georgia.

• Georgia Council for the Arts Awards 179 Organizations $1.3 Million in Grant Funding

  July 09, 2026

  The Georgia Department of Economic Development team specialized in empowering arts and culture, Georgia Council for the Arts, today announced that $1.3M in competitive grant funding will be distributed to recipients in 37 counties across the state through its fiscal year 2027 General Operating Support, Project, and Arts Education Program grants.

• Gov. Kemp Leads Economic Development Mission to Scotland and Ireland

  July 09, 2026

  Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that he and First Lady Marty Kemp are leading an international mission this week to foster economic relationships in Scotland and Ireland, including a meeting with Executive Chair Euisun Chung and other senior leadership from Hyundai Motor Group and Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Prime Minister of Ireland.

• From Pennies to Protests, New Georgia Laws Alter Penalties, Programs and Protections

  July 07, 2026

  New state laws took effect Wednesday, bringing new mandates that will change life for Georgians in both obvious and unseen ways.

• Georgia Launches New Office of Education and Workforce Strategy

  July 07, 2026

  Effective, July 1, 2026, the Governor's Office of Student Achievement (GOSA) officially becomes the Governor's Office of Education and Workforce Strategy (GOEWS), marking a significant evolution in how Georgia coordinates education and workforce policy under one roof.

• Georgia Historical Society Elects Clyde Tuggle as Board Chair & Adds Riley Blount, BJ Green, & T. Dallas Smith to Board

  July 06, 2026

  The Georgia Historical Society is pleased to announce the election of three distinguished leaders to its Board of Curators: Riley Blount, BJ Green, and T. Dallas Smith, which were at the Society’s 187th Annual Meeting, held at the Georgia Historical Society headquarters in Savannah.