Georgia's Real Estate Boom Has a Complexity Problem
Georgia's Department of Economic Development recently reported that the State posted its second consecutive record year for business investment in fiscal year 2026. The Global Commerce team supported 436 new locations and expansions , representing roughly $35.2 billion in investment, up from $26.3 billion the year before, including an estimated 25,300 new jobs. Seventy-five percent of those projects were outside the 10-county Atlanta metro region. The Port of Savannah closed out its second busiest year on record in 2025 , handling nearly 5.7 million TEUs, trailing only 2022. The Georgia Ports Authority is in the process of expansion, with a new inland rail terminal set to open later this year. The headlines have covered the growth well. What they've missed is what this growth looks like from the closing table. For attorneys, the practical consequence is that deals in these markets now start earlier and carry more moving parts. Clients in these markets are counting on counsel to set expectations, sequence the work, and flag problems before they become delays. Looking ahead, deals in Georgia's secondary markets are likely to be shaped by three forces: whether the lenders and other professionals involved have the capacity to take on the work,
