AGP Executive Report

Corporate Results: Atlanta-based Intercontinental Exchange reported third-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.02 per share and revenue above Wall Street forecasts. AI and Payments: Atlanta fintech Optimized Payments launched a tool connecting AI systems to governed payments data, aiming to improve the reliability of financial analysis. Investment and Jobs: Audi plans to invest $4 billion in its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Georgia, while Walmart is breaking ground on a $1.3 billion fulfillment center expected to create 1,000 jobs. Energy and Data Centers: Georgia’s Public Service Commission approved a major grid expansion as officials and residents press for stronger oversight of the state’s growing data-center pipeline, citing power demand and pollution concerns. Consumer Costs: More than 40 insurers have reported auto, home and business rate reductions in Georgia, and the state extended its motor-fuel tax suspension through November 30.

Retail Expansion: Salted Melon has leased space at Sandy Springs’ Hillcrest mixed-use development, with the restaurant expected to open in fall 2027. Walmart is also expanding Georgia operations with a new automated facility. Manufacturing Jobs: Audi’s planned $4 billion Peach County plant is expected to create about 4,500 jobs and produce up to 200,000 vehicles a year, prompting calls for workforce training and local hiring opportunities. Data Center Boom: Georgia has about 120 data center projects planned or under construction. OpenAI’s proposed Effingham County campus is driving new inquiries across southeast Georgia, as communities weigh energy and water demands and consider safeguards. Household Costs: Gov. Brian Kemp extended Georgia’s motor-fuel tax suspension through Nov. 30, offering drivers continued relief at the pump.

Data Center Investment: OpenAI’s Project Camellia in Effingham County is seeking local contractors for construction and operations, while critics warn Georgia’s tax breaks for data centers could shift costs onto working families. Industrial Growth: Jefferson approved rezoning for two warehouses totaling about 1 million square feet, despite neighbors’ concerns about traffic and pollution. Audi’s planned $4 billion Georgia plant adds another major manufacturing bet on the state. Energy and Costs: Georgia regulators approved a sweeping grid expansion as data centers drive power demand. Gov. Brian Kemp also extended the gas-tax suspension through Nov. 30; earlier suspensions have cost the state about $200 million a month. Business Conditions: More than 40 insurers in Georgia reported rate decreases, but an Atlanta restaurant owner says soaring health premiums are straining small businesses. Atlanta-based Coca-Cola raised its 2026 earnings outlook after quarterly revenue growth.

Manufacturing: Audi plans to invest $4 billion in its first U.S. factory at a Middle Georgia site. Gov. Brian Kemp says the project delivers on the pledge to bring jobs to rural Georgia. Corporate Earnings: Atlanta-based UPS raised its annual outlook after a strong quarter, betting on higher-margin deliveries even as holiday package volumes dip. Coca-Cola also raised its 2026 earnings guidance after third-quarter revenue growth. Banking: PNC plans to open 25 branches across metro Atlanta. Development: OpenAI is seeking a federal permit for part of a proposed Effingham County data center on wetlands, putting the project’s land and environmental impacts in focus. Consumer Costs: Kemp extended Georgia’s motor-fuel tax suspension through Nov. 30 as pump prices remain elevated. Financial Crime: Edwin Brant Frost IV, a prominent Georgia Republican, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for a Ponzi scheme that caused more than $76 million in losses to over 300 victims.

Corporate Investment: Audi picked Peach County for its first U.S. factory, planning a $4 billion investment and about 4,500 jobs. Mitsubishi Power will spend $490 million to expand its Pooler plant, adding 220 jobs. Data Centers: OpenAI has applied for a federal permit to fill 72 acres of wetlands at its proposed Effingham County campus, part of a 4.4-million-square-foot project. The application renews concerns about flooding and the site’s environmental impact. Atlanta Business: UPS raised its 2026 profit and revenue forecasts as it shifts toward higher-margin shipments and cuts costs. PNC is also expanding, with 25 new metro Atlanta branches planned by 2029. Jobs and Growth: Metro Atlanta employment hit a record in September, while Georgia’s regional commissions reported gains in labor force and employment. Gov. Brian Kemp also extended the state gas-tax suspension through Nov. 30, offering motorists continued relief at the pump.

Financial Crime: Newnan businessman Brant Frost was sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to repay more than $76 million to 300 victims in a Ponzi scheme. Commercial Real Estate: ORIX secured an $83 million loan to buy a 391-unit Buckhead apartment tower, which will be renamed Akari Buckhead. Infrastructure: MARTA has begun construction on Atlanta’s first rapid bus lines, a transit investment aimed at improving service across the city. Manufacturing: Audi plans to invest $4 billion in its first U.S. factory at a Middle Georgia site, with thousands of jobs expected. Mitsubishi Power is also putting $490 million into a Georgia turbine expansion and adding 220 jobs, while Blue Bird plans a $300 million Fort Valley investment. Jobs and Costs: Metro Atlanta employment reached a record high in September. Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state gas-tax suspension through Nov. 30, offering drivers continued relief as fuel prices remain elevated.

Manufacturing Investment: Audi plans to spend $4 billion on its first North American factory at a Middle Georgia site, a major new commitment to the state’s industrial base. Jobs and Costs: Metro Atlanta employment reached a record high in September, while Gov. Brian Kemp extended the state’s motor-fuel tax suspension through Nov. 30 to ease pressure at the pump. Data Center Debate: Douglas County commissioners rejected a proposed 700-acre, 4.4-million-square-foot data-center campus for a second time, underscoring local resistance to large-scale development. Logistics Technology: GXO and Agility Robotics are expanding their humanoid-robot partnership, building on a Flowery Branch warehouse deployment where robots have moved more than 100,000 totes. Trade Links: A first Sri Lanka–Georgia business forum in Tbilisi invited Georgian companies to explore trade and investment opportunities at Sri Lanka EXPO 2027.

Automotive Investment: Audi plans to invest $4 billion in its first U.S. manufacturing plant at the Middle Georgia Mega Site in Peach County, creating about 4,500 jobs. Construction is slated to start in 2027, with production expected in the early 2030s. Jobs and Growth: Metro Atlanta’s labor force and employment reached record highs in September; the state’s unemployment rate edged up to 3.5%. Other major projects include Blue Bird’s planned $300 million Fort Valley facility and Mitsubishi’s $490 million Georgia expansion, expected to add 220 jobs. Cost Relief: Gov. Brian Kemp extended Georgia’s gas-tax suspension through Nov. 30, easing pressure on drivers while pump prices remain elevated. Corporate Risk: A customer has filed a class-action lawsuit against Southern Company over a breach that exposed data from 400,000 accounts, including about 300,000 Georgia Power customers.

Automotive Investment: Audi plans to spend $4 billion on its first U.S. factory in Peach County, targeting 4,500 jobs and annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles by 2031. Tax Relief: Gov. Brian Kemp extended Georgia’s gas-tax suspension through Nov. 30, keeping a break at the pump in place amid elevated fuel prices. Manufacturing Growth: Blue Bird plans a $300 million Fort Valley facility, while Mitsubishi will invest $490 million and add 220 jobs to expand its Georgia turbine operations. Jobs and Infrastructure: Northeast Georgia reported record labor force and employment in September, as Atlanta’s airport prepares to spend about $1 million a day on construction.

Fuel Costs: Gov. Brian Kemp extended Georgia’s gas-tax suspension through Nov. 30, waiving 33.3 cents per gallon on gasoline and 37.3 cents on diesel as prices remain high ahead of Thanksgiving travel. Auto Manufacturing: Hyundai’s Bryan County plant increased its permitted wastewater output by about 500,000 gallons a day as it ramps up to 200,000 vehicles annually with a second shift. The company has previously outlined capacity of up to 500,000 vehicles, with its CEO floating a potential 800,000. Georgia Investment: Blue Bird plans to invest $300 million in a 1-million-square-foot manufacturing facility in Fort Valley, while Mitsubishi will spend $490 million to expand its Georgia power-turbine operations and add 220 jobs. AI and Supply Chains: A Georgia Tech Manufacturing Institute leader will speak at a Savannah business summit in February on AI’s role in manufacturing, logistics and supply chains. Local Business: Atlanta’s ASW Distillery has become Georgia Athletics’ official craft spirits partner, with its Hunker Vodka and Bourbon set for statewide distribution.

Manufacturing & Energy: Mitsubishi plans to invest $490 million and add 220 jobs in a Georgia power-turbine expansion. NeoVolta has opened a battery plant ahead of production, and Hyundai’s South Georgia facility expanded its wastewater permit to support output of 200,000 vehicles. Jobs: Gov. Brian Kemp announced new investments and job growth across Georgia counties. All 12 regional commissions reported labor-force gains, with six reaching record employment levels. Trade & State Finances: Georgia’s foreign trade rose 9.2% in January–September, while local exports climbed 60.3%. State tax collections also grew in September. Public Accountability: A state report found more than $1 billion in pandemic benefits had not been reviewed for eligibility, raising questions about oversight.

Manufacturing Investment: Mitsubishi plans to invest $490 million and add 220 jobs in a Georgia power-turbine expansion. NeoVolta has opened a 210,600-square-foot battery plant in Pendergrass, with production ramp-up planned for the fourth quarter. Business Conditions: Atlanta pending home sales fell 23.8% year over year, one of the steepest declines among major U.S. metros. Georgia tax collections, meanwhile, continued to grow in September. Infrastructure: Atlanta’s airport is set to spend $1 million a day on construction, while a new I-285 closure has southwest Atlanta businesses bracing for detour-related disruption. Jobs and Growth: All 12 Georgia regional commissions reported labor-force and employment gains, with six reaching record highs. Energy Costs: Georgia’s debate over data centers and utility bills is intensifying, as residents raise concerns about data-center growth and power costs.

Jobs and Growth: All 12 Georgia regional commissions reported labor-force gains, with six reaching record employment highs; metro Dalton also posted September job gains. Manufacturing: Hyundai’s South Georgia plant expanded its wastewater permit to support production of 200,000 vehicles, while a century-old bus maker chose Georgia for a $300 million factory. Atlanta Airport: Hartsfield-Jackson is set to spend $1 million a day on construction, and Atlanta City Council approved Delta’s takeover of Spirit’s gates for a $12 million fee. Local Investment: Goodwill opened a Doraville store and career center, putting 36 people to work before opening. Hospitality: Two Georgia restaurants earned Michelin stars in the 2026 guide.

Business Expansion: Shipley Donuts’ latest franchise deals include new Atlanta locations as the 90-year-old chain pushes into five states. A South Georgia Hyundai plant also expanded its wastewater permit to support production of up to 200,000 vehicles. Jobs and Infrastructure: Northeast Georgia posted record labor-force and employment highs in September, while Atlanta’s airport is preparing to spend about $1 million a day on construction. Travel and Dining: Atlanta-based Delta is pursuing Pacific growth and was named the top U.S. airline in a new Forbes ranking. Two Georgia restaurants—So. Fox in Atlanta and Uberto in Gay—earned MICHELIN Stars. Economic Indicators: Georgia foreign trade rose 9.2% in January-September, and September net tax revenues increased 2.3% year over year. A bus maker also chose Georgia for a planned $300 million factory.

Jobs: Northeast Georgia’s labor force reached a record 364,212 in September, with employment also at an all-time high of 351,712; unemployment edged up to 3.4%. Manufacturing: A century-old bus maker plans a $300 million Georgia factory, a major addition to the state’s industrial base. Airport Investment: Hartsfield-Jackson plans to spend about $1 million a day on construction as it advances a $1.5 billion expansion of Concourse D, scheduled to run through 2029. Tech: Georgia Tech and Emory are backing a $1 billion investment in AI, while a new poll found three in five Georgians oppose more data centers, citing concerns including power and water use. Macon Development: Bibb County approved an agreement for up to $30 million in bond financing tied to a proposed Costco project.

Manufacturing: A century-old busmaker has chosen Georgia for a $300 million factory, bringing a major new investment to the state. Utility Costs: Georgia Public Service Commission candidates clashed over rising power bills and the electricity demands of data centers, a growing concern for households and businesses. Technology: Georgia Tech and Emory are backing a $1 billion investment in artificial intelligence, signaling a substantial bet on the state’s tech economy. Trade: Georgia’s foreign trade grew 9.2% in the first nine months of 2026; local exports rose 60.3% year over year. Small Business: Proposed federal THC limits could threaten Georgia hemp shops, with up to $1 billion in state sales at risk. Infrastructure: A Ferrovial-led team was selected for Georgia’s I-285 East Express Lanes project, while Macon approved up to $30 million in bond financing for a planned Costco project.