AGP Executive Report

Atlanta Deal Flow: KKR agreed to sell Atlanta-based railcar lessor Infinity Transportation to Ares funds for about $2.9 billion. Infinity owns roughly 50,000 railcars, and the deal is expected to close in early 2027. AI Economy: Georgia Tech and Emory are betting $1 billion on AI, while Atlanta consultancy Joupernal has launched an AI advisory practice focused on governance, implementation and communications. Small Business: Proposed federal THC limits could threaten Georgia hemp shops, with estimates pointing to as much as $1 billion in state sales at risk. Agriculture: UGA will lead a new peanut research lab, backed by an initial $9 million federal award, to improve productivity, safety and market development. State Finances: Georgia tax collections rose 2.3% in September, extending revenue growth.

Trade: Georgia’s foreign-trade turnover rose 9.2% to $20.54 billion in January–September, with exports up 19.6% and imports up 5.3%; the trade deficit reached $8.23 billion. State Finances: Net tax collections grew 2.3% in September, extending the state’s revenue gains. Ports: The Port of Savannah plans a new container terminal designed to handle 3.5 million TEUs, expanding capacity for the state’s trade and logistics sector. Atlanta Real Estate: Converting offices into homes is proving difficult, as developers face hurdles that complicate efforts to repurpose vacant commercial space. Retail and Jobs: Sprouts opened stores in Conyers and Newnan, while Goodwill of North Georgia opened a Doraville store and career center after hiring 36 people ahead of opening.

Atlanta Development: Converting vacant offices into apartments remains difficult: high construction and financing costs, alongside stagnant rents, have stalled or sunk many metro-area plans. Local Business: Goodwill of North Georgia opened a Doraville store and career center, with 36 people hired before opening. Company Watch: Six Flags shares fell 14.4% after the fatal Goliath coaster accident at its Georgia park; a law firm has opened an investor-fraud investigation, which does not establish wrongdoing. Utilities: A Georgia Power data breach reportedly affected 300,000 customers. Surveillance Tech: Atlanta-based Flock Safety announced shorter data retention and tighter controls on police searches amid mounting scrutiny of its camera network.

Workforce & Small Business: Goodwill of North Georgia opened a 43,000-square-foot Doraville store and career center, creating 36 jobs and offering training in construction, supply chain and phlebotomy. Its first GoodBIZ Market gives graduates a place to sell their products. Corporate Investment: Hyundai Transys plans to invest $560 million to expand its West Point factory, while Georgia Tech and Emory have committed more than $1.175 billion to AI. Economic Pulse: Georgia’s labor force and employment have set records for nine straight months; September net tax revenues rose 2.3%. Foreign trade turnover climbed 9.2% to $20.5 billion in January–September. Business Risks: A Georgia Power data breach affected 300,000 customers. Meanwhile, Georgia’s average monthly premium for Affordable Care Act plans is set to jump to $932 next year.

Tourism & Sports Business: Atlanta Dream moved their WNBA Finals home games to State Farm Arena as ticket demand surged. Six Flags Over Georgia’s reopening after a fatal ride accident comes amid heightened safety scrutiny and reports of a steep share-price decline. Major Investment: Hyundai Transys plans to invest $560 million to expand its West Point factory, while a Costco project in Macon could receive up to $30 million in infrastructure financing. Infrastructure: A Ferrovial-backed team was selected for Georgia’s I-285 East Express Lanes project, another major public-private road venture. Jobs & State Finances: Georgia recorded a ninth straight month of record labor force and employment growth; September net tax revenues rose 2.3% to $3.34 billion.

State Finances: Georgia’s September net tax collections rose 2.3% year over year to $3.34 billion. Major Projects: Hyundai Transys plans a $560 million expansion at its West Point factory; a Costco project in Macon could receive up to $30 million in infrastructure financing, and a Ferrovial-led team was selected for the I-285 East Express Lanes project. Atlanta Development: Georgia Tech and Emory have committed more than $1.175 billion to AI, while a proposed 38-acre entertainment district near Tyler Perry Studios could add shops, offices and a theater. Jobs: Georgia marked a ninth straight month of record labor force and employment growth. Tourism: The Atlanta Dream’s Finals games were moved to State Farm Arena to add seats. Six Flags Over Georgia reopened after a fatal ride incident, but Goliath remains closed as investigations continue.

State Finances: Georgia collected $3.34 billion in net taxes in September, up 2.3% year over year; revenue for the first three months of the fiscal year rose 2.9% to $8.41 billion. Business Investment: A Costco project in Macon could receive up to $30 million in infrastructure financing, while a Ferrovial-backed team won the I-285 East Express Lanes project. UCB also dedicated its future biologics manufacturing campus in Georgia. Jobs & Growth: Georgia marked nine consecutive months of record labor force and employment growth. Tourism & Safety: A fatal fall from Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath coaster triggered investigations and ride closures at parks around the country, putting safety and company finances under scrutiny. Atlanta Development: Two HBCUs broke ground on affordable student housing, and soju maker Minhwa Spirits plans to move its tasting room to West Midtown.

Atlanta Development: Spelman and Morehouse broke ground on a $147 million housing complex for nearly 800 students, while TruAmerica added 446 apartments to its metro-area portfolio. Major Investments: Hyundai Transys plans a $560 million expansion in West Point, and Georgia Tech and Emory are committing more than $1.175 billion to AI research. Economic Pulse: Georgia recorded its ninth straight month of labor-force and employment growth; September state tax collections rose 2.3% to $3.34 billion. Infrastructure: A proposed Costco project in Macon could receive up to $30 million in infrastructure financing.

Ports & Trade: The Port of Savannah received an Army Corps permit for a new container terminal designed to handle 3.5 million TEUs, advancing a major capacity expansion. Transportation: GDOT selected Top End Mobility Group for the first phase of I-285’s eastern express lanes; construction is slated to start in 2028, with the wider project expected to run through 2042. Power & Investment: Oglethorpe Power secured a record $3.3 billion federal rural utilities loan to help finance a new Monroe County power plant, which USDA says could help contain electricity costs. Jobs & Revenue: Georgia reported a ninth consecutive month of record labor force and employment growth; September state tax collections rose 2.3% to $3.34 billion. Manufacturing: Hyundai Transys plans to invest nearly $560 million to expand its West Point factory. Tourism: Visitor spending in Morgan County generated $70.3 million in 2025.

Workforce: Georgia set records for a ninth straight month in September, with 5.50 million people in the labor force and 5.33 million employed. The jobless rate edged up to 3.3%, while initial unemployment claims fell to their lowest monthly level in more than 50 years. Business Investment: Hyundai Transys plans to invest nearly $560 million in expanding its West Point factory, while Georgia Tech and Emory have committed more than $1.175 billion to AI, betting Atlanta can become a research hub. Construction: Atlanta lost 4,900 construction jobs over the year through August, the largest decline among U.S. metro areas in a report that pointed to data centers, power projects and factories as key drivers of growth elsewhere. State Finances: Georgia’s net tax collections rose 2.3% in September to $3.34 billion. Six Flags: State investigators say they are continuing an extensive review of the fatal Goliath coaster incident, examining the ride, its operation and records. Costs: Georgia suspended its gas tax, but some metro Atlanta stations still charge more than $4 a gallon.

Jobs: Georgia’s labor force and employment hit records for a ninth straight month in September, reaching 5.5 million workers and 5.33 million jobs. Unemployment was 3.3%, while initial jobless claims fell to a level not seen since 1974. State Finances: Georgia collected $3.34 billion in net taxes in September, up 2.3% from a year earlier. Transportation: GDOT is selecting a private partner to build 19 miles of I-285 express lanes across Cobb, DeKalb and Fulton counties; the deal would give the company toll revenue for 50 years. Investment: Georgia Tech and Emory plan to commit more than $1.175 billion to AI, while Hyundai Transys plans a $560 million expansion in West Point. Macon Development: Local authorities approved up to $90 million in bonds tied to Costco’s planned store and surrounding roadwork; county and school board approvals are still needed. Theme Parks: Six Flags is facing renewed scrutiny over ride safety after a fatal fall at its Georgia park, as the company’s financial pressures draw attention.

State Revenue: Georgia collected $3.34 billion in net taxes in September, up 2.3% year over year. Sales and corporate tax gains offset a 4.1% drop in individual income tax collections; revenue is up 2.9% so far this fiscal year. Commercial Real Estate: Andmore refinanced its $550 million AmericasMart loan, cutting interest costs. A separate Atlanta industrial campus sold for $100 million. Technology: Georgia Tech and Emory committed more than $1.175 billion to AI, aiming to make Atlanta a research hub. Manufacturing: Hyundai Transys plans a $560 million expansion at its West Point factory. Transportation: Construction is set to begin on MARTA’s first arterial rapid transit corridor. Data Centers: Statesboro and Bulloch County scheduled public forums on where and under what conditions data centers should be built, as communities weigh investment against local concerns.

Six Flags Fallout: Shares sank 14% to their lowest close since 2009 after a fatal ride incident at Six Flags Over Georgia. The company’s financial strain predates the accident: merger debt and a $203 million second-quarter loss were already weighing on its recovery. Nine similar coasters across six parks have been paused as investigations continue. Manufacturing Investment: UCB dedicated its future U.S. biologics manufacturing campus in Georgia, while Hyundai Transys is planning a nearly $560 million expansion—two major bets on the state’s manufacturing base. Cost of Living: Georgia’s Senate candidates clashed over grocery, fuel and health-care costs in their latest debate; the state’s fuel-tax suspension has helped bring pump prices down.

Amusement Park Business: Six Flags shares fell sharply after a fatal fall from Goliath at Six Flags Over Georgia. The company temporarily closed nine similar rides as investigators work to determine what happened. Commercial Real Estate: Octave Holdings sold Alpharetta Summit for about $6.9 million, completing a deal for the 37,964-square-foot property. Retail: Food Lion is opening a renovated store in Lavonia, taking over from family-run Dill’s Food City after 91 years in the community. Manufacturing Investment: Hyundai Transys plans a nearly $560 million expansion in Georgia, adding to the state’s auto-industry footprint. Utilities: Georgia Power plans to strengthen Tybee Island’s power lines and poles. Sports and Venues: The Atlanta Dream will play WNBA Finals home games at State Farm Arena, which can accommodate more fans.

Six Flags: A fatal incident at Six Flags Over Georgia prompted the company to close nine similar coasters across six parks while Cobb County police investigate. Delta Air Lines: The carrier delayed its planned Atlanta–Riyadh service until March 2027 amid safety concerns following attacks on the Saudi airport. Manufacturing Investment: Hyundai Transys plans a nearly $560 million expansion in Georgia, adding to the state’s growing auto-industry footprint. Transport and Energy: Tesla opened its first East Coast Semi Megacharger site in Conley, while Georgia Power secured a multibillion-dollar federal loan to modernize its grid. Hiring: Target plans to bring thousands of seasonal workers to metro Atlanta.

Manufacturing: Hyundai Transys plans a nearly $560 million Georgia expansion that includes a new plant. Commercial Property: A pension fund has committed to a future $50 million purchase of Winder Commerce Center. Air Travel: Delta delayed its planned Atlanta–Riyadh nonstop service until March 2027 amid security concerns. Energy: Georgia Power received a multibillion-dollar federal loan, as rising data-center demand puts pressure on the state’s power supply. EV Freight: Tesla opened its first East Coast Semi Megacharger in Conley, part of a 14-stall network between Atlanta and Savannah. Infrastructure: Savannah and Georgia secured an $11.3 million federal grant for Project DeRenne.