Columbus State University hosted the annual Georgia Economic Outlook event, where experts shared projections for both the state and the Columbus region. Santanu Chatterjee, interim dean of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, presented the statewide forecast, while Michael Rothlisberger, Tesa Leonce-Regalado, and Missy Kendrick offered insights specific to Columbus.
Rothlisberger emphasized that the data presented wasn’t a list of problems, but rather a reflection of ongoing economic dynamics.
Georgia’s outlook for 2026 shows modest growth, aligning with national trends. Chatterjee attributed the slow pace to policy impacts, declining population growth, a shrinking labor pool, and a sluggish national economy. These factors contribute to an elevated risk of recession in the near term.
The Georgia Economic Outlook report forecasts a 1.5% increase in inflation-adjusted GDP for the year. Experts anticipate a 5% rise in employment, with unemployment averaging 4.1%. Despite a gradual uptick in joblessness, consumer spending is not expected to decline sharply. Global trade tensions are likely to persist, with most tariffs remaining unchanged.
Chatterjee noted that Georgia may benefit more than the national average from lower interest rates due to its strong ties to real estate development. Reduced borrowing costs could encourage business investment and attract new economic ventures to the state.
Columbus has gained attention for securing major manufacturing investments, including the JS Link facility, expected to create 524 jobs, and the BioTouch plants, projected to add 480 positions. Chatterjee credited Georgia’s manufacturing edge to a pipeline of new projects launched over the past five years, many of which are now scaling up production.
However, despite sector growth, experts predict a slight decline in manufacturing employment due to automation and AI adoption. Meanwhile, the state’s data center industry is poised for rapid expansion. Challenges include ensuring reliable access to electricity and water, as community resistance, regulatory scrutiny, and resource constraints could temper growth over time. The sector is expected to transition toward more controlled, sustainable development.
Leonce-Regalado highlighted three key areas for Columbus to address: population growth, housing affordability, and job quality. The metro area’s population remains stable at 323,000, with the fastest growth among residents aged 66 and older. Low fertility rates mean the city must attract newcomers to maintain its population.
To draw younger workers, Columbus needs affordable housing and higher-paying jobs. The current homeownership rate of 52% lags behind the national 65%. Average salaries in the city stand at $52,000, below both the state ($68,000) and national ($74,000) averages.
Local leaders are focusing on attracting high-wage industries to stimulate housing demand and retain skilled workers, creating a cycle of sustained economic advancement.
— news from ledger-enquirer.com
— News Original —
Columbus at an economic turning point. What can we expect in 2026?
Columbus State University hosted the annual Georgia Economic Outlook on Tuesday, when economic development academics and leaders shared their forecasts for Columbus and the state. n nSantanu Chatterjee, interim dean of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, gave the statewide forecast. Michael Rothlisberger, chief academic strategy officer at Columbus State University, Tesa Leonce-Regalado, acting dean for CSU’s D. Abbott Turner College of Business & Technology, and Missy Kendrick, president and CEO of Choose Columbus, gave the Columbus forecast during the event. n n“The data that we share today isn’t a list of problems to solve,” Rothlisberger said. “It’s a map of the dynamics we are currently managing.” n nHere’s a look at the economy in Georgia and Columbus. n n2026 economic forecast for Georgia n nThe economic forecast for Georgia this year is below trend but still shows signs of positive economic growth, matching the national trend. n n“Growth will be slow because of policies, a slowdown in population growth, a decline in the size of the labor force and slower growth of the U.S. economy,” Chatterjee said. “These risks will keep the risk of recession at an elevated level in the short term, as in years past.” n nThe Georgia Economic Outlook report expects the state’s inflation-adjusted GDP to increase by 1.5% over 2026. Chatterjee said experts expect 5% job growth in Georgia, with the unemployment rate averaging 4.1%. n n“We believe that a slow and modest rise in unemployment will not be able to trigger a sharp pullback in consumer spending in 2026,” Chatterjee said. “We expect trade tensions to remain high globally and most existing tariffs to remain in place.” n nRecession risk is estimated to be at an elevated level throughout 2026 and into 2027, Chatterjee said. However, Georgia is positioned to benefit from federal intervention. n n“Georgia is likely to benefit from lower interest rates more than the U.S. because of our high dependence on real estate development,” he said. “In addition, the state will benefit because low rates will encourage businesses to invest in more economic development projects and is likely to win an outside share of such projects.” n nColumbus was recognized for bringing major manufacturing projects and job opportunities to Georgia. The projects highlighted were the upcoming JS Link facility, which is expected to bring 524 jobs, and the BioTouch facilities, which are expected to bring 480 jobs to the Columbus area. n n“One reason manufacturing in Georgia will outperform is that the state announced many new projects over the past five years,” Chatterjee said. “Many of these projects continue to build up and ramp up production.” n nWhile the manufacturing industry in Georgia is growing, Chatterjee said, experts expect the number of manufacturing jobs to decline slightly with rapid innovations and the implementation of artificial intelligence technologies. Georgia’s data center industry is expected to thrive this year. n n“The main challenge, however, is ensuring that ample supplies of reliable electricity and water are available for this energy and resource-intensive industry,” he said. “We do expect fast growth in Georgia’s data center industry, but over time, increased community opposition, regulatory actions and resource limitations may slow growth as technology and efficiency improve. Georgia’s data center industry will eventually transition to an era of managed growth.” n nThe full report is available to download on the University of Georgia’s website. n n2026 economic forecast for Columbus n nColumbus is at a turning point, Leonce-Regalado said during her remarks. n n“We have a firm foundation: Fort Benning, strong health care and solid open anchors,” she said. ”Having a foundation isn’t enough. We have to build on it.” n nLeonce-Regalado outlined three main areas for Columbus to improve: population, affordability and employment. She describes these areas as interconnected. n nThe population of the Columbus metropolitan statistical area (Muscogee County, Harris County, Chattahoochee County, Marion Count, Talbot County, Stewart County and Russell County) is holding steady at 323,000 residents, according to the report, with the fastest-growing population being those who are 66 and older. The population growth is driving Columbus’ healthcare sector, bringing in more job opportunities for healthcare professionals, but it signals trouble with the city’s future labor force. n n“We should also keep in mind that our fertility rates are below replacement level, so we are largely dependent on bringing in people from outside to keep our population level sustainable,” Leonce-Regalado said. n nThe way to attract younger workers, according to the report, is housing affordability and high-wage jobs. The city’s homeownership rate is 52%, which is below the national average of 65%. n nThe average salary of Columbus jobs is also below state and national averages. The average job salary is $52,000, compared to the statewide average of $68,000 and the national average of $74,000. n nColumbus officials already are tackling these issues, Leonce-Regalado said. n n“We’re going after the industries that provide higher wages across the region,” she said. “Higher wages mean stronger housing demand, and that means we keep talent, and that means sustained growth. It’s a cycle, and we’re making it happen.”