At the first-ever Atlanta Way Day, some of the region’s top leaders faced a big question: How did Atlanta become the lowest-ranked in upward economic mobility, and how can the region change it? Local nonprofit Atlanta Way 2.0 hosted the event as part of its push to “bring people together to understand issues.” SaportaReport’s founder, […]
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Beltline launches local, affordable commercial development fund
Atlanta Beltline, Inc. launched its newest development push at Wednesday’s 2025 State of the Beltline: A $2 million fund to pay for locally-led commercial development along the popular paved path. The grant pilot program called the Local Developer Incentive Fund will offer funds from $150,000 to $500,000 for developers willing to dedicate a chunk of […]
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SCAD launches applied AI degree and minor
AI continues to make its way into every facet of society, and one of the nation’s premier schools for arts and design is no different. Starting in the winter quarter, the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) will begin offering a Bachelor of Design in Applied AI, along with the option to minor in […]
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Invest Atlanta gives another $1 million to keep Gaines Hall stable
Invest Atlanta approved another $1 million for the ongoing stabilization of historic Gaines Hall at its Sept. 18 board meeting, and officials said the struggling building is on track to be steady by 2027. Gaines Hall, built in 1869, was the first permanent building on the Atlanta University campus, now Clark Atlanta University. It was […]
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Georgia Research Alliance celebrates 35 years at the Governor’s Mansion
For the first time in its 35-year history, the Georgia Research Alliance held its quarterly board meeting at the Governor’s Mansion on Sept. 18. Appropriately, the location meant the meeting was filled with reverence and symbolism. The meeting was unlike most GRA board meetings because it focused less on its operations and more on its […]
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Sandy Springs mayoral candidates face off at local panel
As Sandy Springs inches closer to the November elections, the four candidates for mayor hashed out their platforms at a Sept. 15 “meet and greet” for Grogan’s Bluff and Huntcliff residents at Elevate Church. It’s a competitive race. Sandy Springs will turn 20 in December, and the next mayor could mark a shift in local […]
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MARTA interim CEO teases to-do list ahead of World Cup arrival
At his first public press conference on Sep. 11, MARTA interim CEO Jonathan Hunt promised plenty more MARTA as the agency gears up for a tourism boom during the 2026 FIFA World Cup — and the changes are coming soon. Former MARTA chief counsel Hunt was named the interim general manager and CEO at the […]
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Stargazing: Georgia State University’s CHARA Array receives $1.39M grant to enhance its work studying the stars
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Major Research Instrumentation Program awarded Georgia State University a $1.39M grant for upgrades to its Center for High Angular Resolution Astronomy (CHARA) Array located at Mount Wilson Observatory in Southern California. The array consists of six synchronized telescopes, each with a one-meter diameter light-collecting mirror, spread across the mountaintop. These […]
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Leadership transition at Atlanta-based Concessions International
Concessions International (CI), an airport concessions firm founded in 1979, will have new leadership beginning on Oct. 6. The company was founded 45 years ago by the late H.J. Russell and two business partners – Felker W. Ward Jr. and Jesse Hill Jr. In 1999, Russell bought out his two partners, and CI became totally […]
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Georgia power advocates keep up PSC push with local summit
Georgia’s power is on the ballot this fall, but advocates worry few of the state’s voters actually know what’s at stake in the Nov. 4 Georgia Public Service Commission. After a low turnout in the June primary election, climate advocates are working to get out the vote for the state’s energy future. On Sept. 4 to […]
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Photos: Dragon Con Parade brings pop culture fanatics to the streets
Thousands lined the streets of downtown Atlanta on Aug. 30 for the 25th annual Dragon Con Parade, a costumed brigade that celebrates all things pop culture. This year’s Labor Day convention rang in 75,000 attendees across five days. Cosplayers, mega-fans and industry stars took over the city for panels, photos and the parade. The convention […]
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Case of metro Atlanta teacher fired for reading LGBTQ+ book on hold, again
A federal lawsuit challenging school district policies surrounding “divisive” concepts is on hold again. That leaves the question hanging of what support teachers can show to their LGBTQ+ students without fear of retaliation after a metro Atlanta teacher was fired for reading a picture book about gender identity. On Wednesday, U.S. District Court Judge Tiffany […]
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Little pain for a lot of gain: Little Five Points’ Findley Plaza undergoing renovations
A project more than a decade in development is finally coming to fruition in one of Atlanta’s most vibrant neighborhoods. Findley Plaza, located at the intersection of Euclid Ave and Moreland Ave, is undergoing renovations that will feature wider open space for the public. The redesign moves the tree wells to the outer edges of […]
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Goodbye print: AJC will cease printing the newspaper by 2026
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will sunset its print publication by the end of the year, AJC Publisher Andrew Morse told staff members at a town hall meeting Thursday morning. It is the end of an era. Going back 157 years, the AJC, through its predecessor publications, has been delivering its news through an actual newspaper. As […]
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Westside Future Fund gives $100,000 to Washington cluster schools
On Aug. 27, the Westside Future Fund awarded $100,000 in grants to five of Atlanta’s Booker T. Washington cluster schools to fund student and teacher-oriented programs on the Westside. Five schools received $20,000 each for “programs and resources that promote student success:” Booker T. Washington High School, Hollis Innovation Academy, H.J. Russell West End Academy, […]
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Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District gets a new administrator, looks towards proactive resiliency
Water is arguably the most important resource any region can have, yet few have heard of their local water stewards or managers. The Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (The District), the body that protects the Metro Atlanta water resources at large, extending to 15 counties and 97 cities and is staffed by the Atlanta […]
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Atlanta Dogwood Festival needs $250,000 for 2026 event
Atlanta’s most historic festival could soon be history. The Atlanta Dogwood Festival, a ritual of spring since the Great Depression, is pleading with the community to help cover a $250,000 shortfall so the nonprofit can put on the 2026 festival. The festival, which would turn 90 in 2026, needs to raise the money by Nov. […]
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Beltline buys up Buckhead property for Northwest Trail expansion
Atlanta Beltline Inc. announced another key move in the Buckhead area with the Aug. 25 purchase of a land piece surrounding the path’s Northwest Trail segment. The Beltline bought six parcels of land along Peachtree Road and Bennet Street, and aims to turn the vacant buildings and pavement into commercial development and affordable housing. “For […]
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Invest Atlanta greenlights $250,000 to local legacy businesses
Atlanta’s economic development agency board approved $50,000 grants to five legacy businesses in an ongoing effort to preserve and support small businesses. At the Aug. 21 meeting, the Invest Atlanta board approved a series of Small Business Improvement Grants to pay for interior and exterior improvements. The grants are funded using Tax Allocation District dollars, […]
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Georgia Chamber revives Blanchard Award, giving it to Shan Cooper
Jimmy Blanchard has been one of the leading voices in the Georgia business community advocating for the practice of servant leadership among CEOs. The Georgia Chamber of Commerce recently decided to give greater visibility by reinstituting and renaming the Blanchard Servant Leadership Award. It revived the award on Aug. 20 at the Chamber’s 2025 Congressional […]
