A battle between state lawmakers and Delta Air Lines over the carrier’s decision to end a discount program for NRA members, and a pending bill that would allow adoption agencies to deny services to gay couples has again thrust the state of Georgia into the national spotlight.

It's come at an uncomfortable time as state and Atlanta area leaders pitch Amazon for its second headquarters project. The state in recent years has netted a number of high-profile jobs deals with tech companies and built a robust film industry.

Many conservatives downplay the risk to Georgia’s reputation, but there are concerns in business circles that the reoccurring battles over social issues could damage the state’s brand as a welcoming place to do business.

On the premium website myAJC.com, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution explores the fears of potential fallout as lawmakers grapple with prickly social issues under the Gold Dome. MYAJC.COM: REAL JOURNALISM. REAL LOCAL IMPACT.

AJC Business reporter J. Scott Trubey keeps you updated on the latest news about economic development and commercial real estate in metro Atlanta and beyond. You'll find more on myAJC.com, including these stories:

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An artist's depiction of how a portion of the proposed Flint River Gateway Trails could look. The actual trail design may be different following community feedback and engineering work. (Courtesy of the Atlanta Regional Commission)

Credit: Atlanta Regional Commission

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Cuthbert is the county seat of Randolph County, one of 94 Georgia counties that registered more deaths than births in 2024. The county's hospital closed in 2020, leaving longtime state Rep. Gerald Greene to drivce himself 46 miles to Albany while suffering from a kidney stone recently. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC