First Community Corporation (Nasdaq: FCCO) (the "Company" or "First Community"), the holding company for First Community Bank, announced today the closing of its acquisition of Signature Bank of Georgia ("Signature Bank"), effective January 8, 2026 (the "Merger").  Following completion of the Merger, Signature Bank was merged with and into First Community Bank.

“In 2026, Georgia’s economy will match the U.S. economy with respect to the pace of GDP and job growth,” University of Georgia Terry College of Business Interim Dean Santanu Chatterjee told the crowd gathered at Atlanta’s Georgia Aquarium for the kickoff of the 2026 Georgia Economic Outlook series. “That said, both economies will experience positive but slower growth.”

Atlanta’s Office of Technology & Innovation (OTI) is helping move our city forward. From job creation to major investments, we’re ensuring Atlanta remains a place where innovation thrives—and where residents benefit directly from that growth. Atlanta isn’t “building a tech scene.” Atlanta is building a tech engine.

The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in the month of December totaled $3.44 billion, for an increase of nearly $101 million, or 3%, compared to December 2024, when net tax collections totaled almost $3.34 billion. Year-to-date net tax revenue collections through December totaled nearly $16.72 billion, for an increase of $363.7 million, or 2.2%, compared to December FY 2025, when net tax collections approached $16.36 billion after six months.

"Over the last seven years, this administration has worked with the General Assembly to pass historic policies and investments that put Georgians first," said Governor Kemp. "I'm proud to announce the hardworking legislators who will be my Floor Leaders for this upcoming session so we can further build on that success, and Marty and I want to thank them for their willingness to serve."

Governor Brian P. Kemp and the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s tourism division – Explore Georgia – announced the release of the 2026 Georgia Travel Guide, a free resource for travelers to plan their visits to the Peach State. The 130-page guide is packed full of beautiful imagery and immersive storytelling designed to inspire exploration across all regions of Georgia as travelers and communities across the state plan for the FIFA World Cup 2026.

The latest Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey from the National Science Foundation (NSF) places Georgia Tech as No. 2 nationally for federally sponsored research expenditures in 2024. This is Georgia Tech’s highest-ever ranking from the NSF HERD survey and a 70% increase over the Institute's 2019 numbers.  

Finastra, a global leader in financial services software, today announced the opening of two new offices as part of its continued global growth and modernization strategy: a new U.S. office in the iconic King building at Perimeter in Atlanta, Georgia, and a new innovation center located in Technopark, the premier technology park in Trivandrum, Kerala. The company also confirmed plans to expand its existing office space in Pune, one of its largest global engineering hubs.

Georgia is at an inflection point. For decades, the state’s growth story could be told in lanes: logistics, manufacturing, agriculture, finance, healthcare, higher education. Each moved largely on its own track, supported by strong institutions and pragmatic leadership.