GA Governor Newsroom

Blue Ops to Create 200+ Jobs, $30M Investment in Valdosta

Governor Brian Kemp announced that Blue Ops, Inc., the maritime division of Red Cat Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: RCAT), will invest $30 million to establish a new 155,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at 601 Gil Harbin Industrial Boulevard in Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia. The facility will manufacture uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) for defense and national security applications, expected to create over 200 jobs over the next several years, with up to 100 hires planned for 2026. The project was facilitated in partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, City of Valdosta, Valdosta-Lowndes County Development Authority, and Georgia Quick Start.

Kemp Appoints Four Judges and District Attorney to Georgia Courts

Governor Brian P. Kemp announced four judicial and prosecutorial appointments to Georgia courts. Tyler J. Browning was appointed to the Superior Court of the Cobb Judicial Circuit and Matthew M. McCord to the Superior Court of the Griffin Judicial Circuit, both filling vacancies from resignations. Dorothy V. Hull was appointed District Attorney for the Towaliga Judicial Circuit, and John D. Harvey was appointed Solicitor General of the State Court of Bryan County.

Signs HB 1000 and HB 1199 Authorizing $1.2B Tax Refunds, 60-Day Gas Tax Suspension

Governor Brian P. Kemp signed HB 1000 and HB 1199 into law, authorizing nearly $1.2 billion in state income tax refunds to Georgia taxpayers and suspending the state motor fuel tax for 60 days. HB 1000 provides one-time special income tax rebates of up to $250 for single filers, $375 for heads of household, and $500 for couples filing jointly. HB 1199 suspends the state motor fuel tax effective immediately upon signature, with Georgia's excise tax currently at 33.3 cents per gallon of gasoline and 37.3 cents per gallon of diesel.

Prime, Inc. Creating 120+ Jobs in Spalding County

Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Prime, Inc., a North American transportation company, will invest more than $160 million to establish a new Southeastern regional hub in Spalding County, Georgia. The new facility will create more than 120 new full-time jobs and hire over 50 professional drivers. The terminal will include driver development and training, equipment maintenance, and environmental initiatives such as tire recycling.

Governor Kemp Signs HB 973 Amended FY2026 Budget with Tax Relief

Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp signed HB 973, the Amended Budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The budget provides over $2 billion in tax relief to Georgia taxpayers while funding key state programs including mental health services, healthcare workforce development, transportation, education with increased resources and pay for school personnel, and support for veterans and law enforcement. The state maintains its lowest debt-to-revenue ratio since the 1970s and has sufficient rainy day reserves.

Yamaha Motor Corp. Relocates US HQ to Kennesaw, Georgia

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced that Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has decided to relocate its U.S. headquarters from California to Kennesaw, Georgia, after approximately 50 years of California operations. The headquarters relocation begins in 2026 and is expected to continue through 2028. Yamaha already employs over 2,300 Georgians across its existing facilities in the state, including a 1.3-million-square-foot manufacturing plant in Newnan.

UCB Invests $2 Billion in Georgia, Creates 330 Jobs

Governor Brian Kemp announced that UCB, Inc. will invest $2 billion in Georgia to establish its first U.S. pharmaceutical biologics manufacturing facility, creating 330 jobs at the Rowen Foundation's 2,000-acre science campus in Gwinnett County.