Georgia Trend

05/29/2026

Happy Friday!

Have you gotten a chance to read all of the May magazine? If not, flip through our digital issue for stories about small businesses, maternal healthcare, and Georgia economic & political news. Also, see our advertisers that we're always so grateful for.

https://tinyurl.com/2ucmbp9t

05/28/2026

Tifton has a Georgia Exceptional Main Street designation, and the residential historic district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

In the 10 years that Julie Smith has served as Tifton’s mayor, she says she’s seen a lot of growth and development, yet “we’ve kept our personality, a small town that’s growing.”

The key, she says, is smart growth. “Not just willy-nilly growth for growth’s sake. … I want Tifton to stay on a path of excellence.”

More about Tifton and the growth there https://tinyurl.com/3f9cw3bp

05/27/2026

In 2025, over 28 million adults with a mental illness did not receive any mental health treatment, highlighting the urgent need for clearer, faster paths to care. Navigation is key and what happens in the first 72 hours can make a real difference.

Dr. David Jones, Medical Director, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Georgia, shares what everyone should know, before you need it. https://tinyurl.com/2pbkxfre

Most people don’t plan for a mental health crisis. But millions will experience one this year, often with no clear idea of where to turn. It shows up during moments of loss, stress, illness, or major life changes. When it does, the first few days can feel overwhelming, emotional, and urgent. In 20...

05/27/2026

“For many women and entrepreneurs of color, it’s not just about getting a loan. It’s about accessing networks, information and relationships that have historically excluded them.” – Martina Edwards, president and CEO, ACE Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs.

Jerry Grillo takes a look at some of the nonprofits that help Georgia small businesses thrive. https://tinyurl.com/ms2uev3z

Making Dreams Reality: Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. Photo credit: Daemon Baizan It takes more than talent, good ideas and hard work to breathe life into the American Dream. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, the city’s economic development authority,...

05/26/2026

Last year, Houston County School District, which Superintendent Richard Rogers lauds for its passionate educators, exceeded the state’s graduation rate by 6.1%, graduating 93.3% of its students – a 2.1% increase from 2024. Big improvements are being made to education opportunities, as well as extracurricular opportunities.

https://tinyurl.com/5n7d3tyn

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we remember and honor those who gave their lives for our freedoms.

05/22/2026

Five businesses have been named Georgia’s 2026 Small Business Rock Stars by the Georgia Department of Economic Development. They're a reminder of how small businesses have big impacts on the state's economics.

Congratulations to:
⭐ Big Bon Bodega
⭐ Georgia Beer Company
⭐ Greenfield LLC
⭐ InnoTek LLC
⭐ Fabritex

Read about them in our May cover story here: https://tinyurl.com/yubjj8dy

Whether trivial or fundamental, here’s something about our state’s small businesses: They tend to pick up the phone. These days, that’s a differentiator. Their moves aren’t dissected by Wall Street analysts and media pundits, and maybe that’s why they’re so instructive. Georgia’s small...

05/21/2026

Dr. Kathleen Toomey, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, has worked in the state for more than three decades. So when she describes DPH’s Home Visiting Program as “probably the single most exciting thing I have done in my career in Georgia,” it carries some weight.

Creative, community-based solutions help bring better outcomes in maternal healthcare across rural Georgia.

https://tinyurl.com/5t4uhca8

Access to Care: Linda Randolph, a certified nurse midwife, sees patients two days a week at Jefferson Hospital as part of a rural access program to improve maternal care. Photo credit: Hillary Rumsey Imagine that the moment a mom-to-be has been anxiously, eagerly awaiting is here: She’s in labor. ...

05/20/2026

Wednesday's To Do List:

Take a few minutes to look through the digital edition of our May magazine. There you will find ways to learn more about the great advertisers who support Georgia Trend. Who knows! You may even learn something new.

https://tinyurl.com/huzb67tf

05/19/2026

Here's some help with the age-old question, "What should we do this weekend?"

https://www.georgiatrend.com/2026/05/19/unofficial-guide-issue-5-19-perry-monroe-braselton-brunswick/