Georgia Business Minds

2025 was a busy year for Georgia business news. From manufacturing to economic development to healthcare, you tuned into nearly two dozen episodes covering the top trends and their impact on the state’s economy. As we mark the start of 2026, we pulled a couple of the top interviews from the year that was. 

This summer, electric vehicle maker Rivian opened its East Coast Headquarters in Atlanta. A few months later, it also broke ground on a $5 billion manufacturing plant near Social Circle about 45 miles east of downtown Atlanta. Rivian CFO Claire McDonough talks about why Rivian is expanding in Georgia.

Learn more about this topic:

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/feature/made-in-georgia/2025

On any given night in metro Atlanta, there could be close to 3,000 people experiencing homelessness. Author and journalist Brian Goldstone explains in his book, “There is no Place for Us,” that some of those experiencing homelessness are working. We also talk about the nonprofit group Covenant House and its goal to eliminate youth homelessness in the next decade. 

Chapters

00:00 Ending Youth Homelessness: A Bold Vision
04:59 Understanding Housing Insecurity in Georgia
11:02 Covenant House Georgia: Services and Support
13:53 The Impact of Youth Homelessness on Communities
19:00 Business Community's Role in Ending Youth Homelessness
23:57 Optimism for the Future: A Collective Effort

Despite economic uncertainty and policy changes around tariffs, Georgia’s manufacturing sector continues to create jobs especially in automotive and aerospace which have announced expansion plans in the state. This episode takes you inside the Chronicle’s “Made in Georgia” live event for a discussion about what modern-day manufacturing looks like. 

Learn more about this topic:

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/feature/made-in-georgia/2025

More than entertainment, arts organizations are an economic engine in Georgia. The nonprofit arts sector has an economic impact of about $1 billion. When you factor in for-profit businesses tied to the creative economy, the impact grows to as much as $30 billion or 4% of Georgia’s economy. 

Georgia’s life sciences sector is the third largest in the southeast behind North Carolina and Florida based on economic impact and the number of companies. This episode features guests from a recent live event who discuss what’s needed to keep Georgia’s momentum going. 

Learn more about this topic:

https://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/feature/advancing-health-life-sciences-in-georgia/2025

While agriculture is considered Georgia’s largest industry, retail trade packs a bigger punch to the state’s economy—impacting the Georgia’s GDP to the tune of $171 billion. It employs 1.1 million. We look at how the economy is impacting the sector and where the opportunities lie.

From policy to technology, JP Morgan Chase’s CEO Jamie Dimon talks with Atlanta Business Chronicle about what’s moving Georgia’s economy. 

Metro Atlanta is one of the nation's busiest logistics hubs, largely due to proximity to the Port of Savannah and the world’s busiest airport. Nearly one in three jobs is tied to the sector, and whether by truck or train, as much as $400 billion worth of products move through the region.

Local organizers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup provide an update on planning for the event which could have more than a $500 million economic impact on the state. Also, highlights from a discussion about tomorrow’s golf league, aka TGL, which took place during Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Business of Sports Summit.