Fort Oglethorpe
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Rome News-Tribune
Family farm study panel to meet at Berry Monday
State lawmakers tasked with coming up with ideas to help family farms will be holding a listening session Monday at Berry College’s Krannert Center. The Joint Study Committee on Generational Sustainability of Family Farms is co-chaired by state Rep. Robert Dickey, R-Musella, and state Sen. Russ Goodman, R-Cogdell. The meeting starts at 9 a.m. Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper also is a member of the legislative committee created by House Resolution 1416 in March. Their first meeting was in Perry in August and funding was authorized for up to five sessions around the state. The nine-member group is examining the conditions and challenges facing Georgia’s family farms, with a deadline of Nov. 30. After that, they’ll submit a report on their findings. The hope is that they’ll have some policies and investments to suggest that will strengthen existing markets, prepare the next generation of farmers and address the long-term sustainability of the state’s agricultural economy. “(T)he agricultural industry is the leading driver of this state’s economy and the family farm is central to the identity of Georgia and its continued success,” HR 1416 states. In presenting the resolution, Dickey noted that the state’s agriculture industry has an economic impact of about
Cherokee Tribune
Here’s what’s coming to the Woodstock Mill District
The developer building a new shopping center with a Publix Super Market in Woodstock has announced more tenants coming to the site. The Woodstock Mill District is now set to open in spring 2027, according to Connolly, the Atlanta-based developer building the project. Connolly reports that it has been building the development since it closed on the site in September 2025. The 11-acre Woodstock Mill District is located on Towne Lake Parkway between Woodstock Parkway and the Mill Street roundabout in downtown Woodstock. Access to Woodstock Mill District will be from Towne Lake Parkway, Lyndee Lane and Sherwood Drive. Upon completion, the development will feature a 118,000 square-foot shopping center with a Publix Super Market and the adjacent 28,000 square-foot strip center, which is under renovation as part of this district. These renovations are "nearly complete," Connolly representatives said. The strip center was formerly known as Towne Lake Plaza. Current tenants in this existing strip center include The Blue Ghost Arcade, Maxwell’s Cigar Bar and Dive Georgia. Upon completion, the Publix Super Market will be 46,791 square feet. There will be six additional one-and two-story buildings, ranging from 3,500 to 13,750 square feet and featuring end-cap space for patios, Connolly
fox5atlanta.com
Tire manufacturer Pirelli announces $1.2B expansion at Rome facility
ROME, Ga. - Global tire manufacturer Pirelli will invest $1.2 billion to expand its facility in Rome, creating 1,000 new jobs over the coming years, according to an announcement from Gov. Brian Kemp. What we know:. The expansion is expected to grow Pirelli’s presence at its 100 Pirelli Drive plant,...
wrganews.com
Metro Rome Reports Gains in Labor Force, Employment and Jobs in August
-News Release- The Georgia Department of Labor announced Thursday that the one-county Rome Metropolitan Statistical Area saw gains in its labor force, employment, and jobs in August. The over-the-month unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.3%, down from 3.9% a year ago. “Georgia’s economy continues to deliver,”...
WTVCFOX
Dalton council approves lower-than-proposed property tax increase
DALTON, Ga. — Dalton City Council has approved a smaller property tax increase than city leaders first proposed. Council members unanimously voted Monday to set the 2026 millage rate at 1.551 mills — a 6.67% increase over the rollback rate. The originally proposed rate of 1.661 mills would have increased taxes by 14%.
Public News Service
Georgia solar factory navigates policy whiplash as tariffs loom
By Emily Jones for Grist . Broadcast version by Trimmel Gomes for Georgia News Connection reporting for the Grist-Public News Service Collaboration Inside the vast Qcells factory in Cartersville, Georgia, workers — and a bevy of robots — move ultra-thin slices of polysilicon through a lengthy series of machines and chemical baths to get what are known as cells. “The $2.5 billion, the 3.5 million gallons of water, the 90 megawatts of power, the 60 tons of chemicals on site, and all of the football fields’ worth of infrastructure you’ve seen is to arrive at this,” said Scott Bell of Qcells, holding up one of the paper-thin blue cells. It’s the basic building block of a solar panel. In June, the plant, about an hour northwest of Atlanta, began its expansion from assembling the major components of solar panels to bringing the whole production process under one roof. It’s a major milestone for the U.S. solar industry. China has dominated solar panel manufacturing since the 2010s, flooding the global market with far cheaper panels than anyone else could make. For a host of reasons — national security, labor practices, job creation — the U.S. is trying to bring back domestic
WRDW
Ga. governor candidates battle over voters in rural farming areas
Cherokee Tribune
Rick Jackson pitches plan to help farmers in Holly Springs
HOLLY SPRINGS — Republican Gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson visited Cagle’s Family Farm in Holly Springs Wednesday to announce his agriculture plan, including preserving tax breaks for farmers and establishing processing centers in the state. The plan is called "Georgia Grown, Georgia Strong" and aims to help Georgia farmers prosper, he said at a press conference at the farm. Cagle's Family Farm Owners Ben and Vicki Cagle were in attendance alongside their sons. Holly Springs Mayor Ryan Shirley, Cherokee County District Attorney Susan Treadaway, State Reps. Rick Jasperse and Bill Fincher, farmers, members of Jackson's team and more were in attendance. Jackson described his plan as "a commitment to stand with families who feed our state, sustain our rural communities and preserve a way of life central to Georgia's future." "First we will preserve the Georgia Agricultural Tax Exemption known as GATE, which recognizes the real cost of production and equipment farmers need to do their jobs," he said. "At a time when nearly every input costs more, Georgia should not add another tax burden to the people growing our food. I will protect GATE and the relief it provides to Georgia producers." If elected, Jackson said he also plans to
Cherokee Tribune
Canton in talks with firm to manage North St. redevelopment
Canton leaders and staff have started negotiating with a private equity firm to manage the development of mixed-use space and a hotel on North Street. On Thursday, the Canton City Council unanimously voted to authorize city staff to work on a mutual letter of intent with Georgia-based Artha Investment Partners to develop the North Street Gateway Development Project in downtown Canton. The North Street Gateway Development Project, a joint project between Canton and Cherokee County, includes a four-story expansion and renovations to the Cherokee County Justice Center, a new county government annex, two mixed-use buildings with apartment units above office space, a boutique hotel, an office building, an 800-space parking deck, commercial and retail space. Assistant City Manager Nathan Ingram told the council that when the letter of intent is finalized, it will be brought to the Canton Downtown Development Authority for formal approval. A binding formal agreement will be brought to the council later for adoption. "As the project progresses toward the construction phase, a binding formal development agreement will be brought back in front of all parties, including the city council, for adoption,” he said. “We expect them to come back with a full master development for council
mymix1041.com
Project River developers ask City of Cleveland to delay further action
From Local 3 News: The Wright family is requesting that the City of Cleveland temporarily delay further action on Project River, which includes a proposed data center in Bradley County. In a statement, the family says it wants to bring in a third-party team of technical experts to review every...
Marietta Daily Journal
Acworth Farmers Market offers fresh food for the autumn season
The Acworth Farmers Market invited residents to peruse a range of fresh fruits, vegetables, baked goods, preserves and other farm products Saturday morning. Tina Rhoades, manager of the Acworth Farmers Market, said the extra day was a new addition this year. The market used to run just on Friday mornings, but added Saturday morning hours after demand from vendors and shoppers. The Friday morning market opened on April 10 and runs through Oct. 30, while the Saturday morning market kicked off on May 16 and runs until Nov. 14, according to the city’s website. The Acworth Farmers Market has 40 approved vendors and typically boasts 18 to 25 vendors each Saturday, Rhoades said. The market focuses on farm and food products, but does allow some agriculture-related crafts such as birdhouses. “We try to keep it farm-related and food-based,” Rhoades said. “If we do let a craft in, it has to be an agricultural tie.” Rhoades said September is extra special because vendors shift their products from summer offerings to more autumnal selections. This Saturday’s market saw fruit stands selling apples and squash, and vendors selling baked goods flavored with pumpkin and cinnamon. “You end up with a shift in the