Jekyll Expansion Challenged

Sunday Solutions — May 31, 2026

Good morning! Good grief May went fast … did anyone see it? Oh wait, now it’s hurricane season. We’re sure it’s storming somewhere, but we’ll bring the breeze for a peaceful Sunday dinner conversation.

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NEWS: ENVIRONMENT

Residents challenge Jekyll hotel plan

A new plan would increase Jekyll Island’s hotel capacity by 13% even though the island authority’s master plan says no new rooms are needed. One hotel expansion with more parking and a golf lodge are included in the plan. Also at issue is the hotel’s 4-story height and placement in a key spot for birding, a popular tourist draw to the island. The area is part of the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, along the Atlantic Migratory Flyway. The development discussion rose over the past month and a new petition earned 2,000 signatures in a week. The Jekyll Island Authority did not discuss the hotels at its May 19 meeting. The next meeting is scheduled for June 23. The Current‘s Mary Landers looks at the plan and breaks down the discussion.

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Read Jekyll’s plan

The state authority that oversees Jekyll Island development is reviewing plans for a new hotel near the amphitheater pond, as well as expansion of the Beachview Club Hotel and a new parking lot across from it. More than 2,000 people have signed a petition urging the board to rein in overdevelopment on the state-owned barrier island. Read the Jekyll Island Authority’s documents about the hotel and parking lot or head to Mary Landers’ coverage of plans that could increase island hotel capacity by 13%.

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NEWS: POLITICS

Runoff debates get rolling

The Atlanta Press Club’s Loudermilk-Young Debate Series will roll again today and Monday featuring candidates for 12 runoff races for Georgia statewide and Congressional offices. Candidates who don’t show up are represented by an empty podium while the other candidate takes questions. All candidates are invited to appear, including Democratic candidates for Coastal Georgia’s Congressional seat, Joyce Griggs and Amanda Hollowell, and Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, Mike Collins and Derek Dooley. Griggs told The Current Friday that she will not attend. Check the debate schedule and matchups here. If you miss the livestream, you can see the recording at any point before you vote.

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NEWS: HIGHER EDUCATION

A community investment

Savannah State University President Dr. Jermaine Whirl, and members of the Chatham County legislative delegation brought welcome news Wednesday that the campus will receive a historic $42.8 million state appropriation for backlogged campus facility improvements and new projects focused on student wellness, engagement, and long-term student success.

The funding will support critical infrastructure upgrades and the continued advancement of the university’s Student Wellness and Engagement Facilities Project — a major initiative to modernize aging campus facilities and create vibrant, student-centered spaces that will strengthen the overall student experience at Georgia’s oldest public Historically Black College and University.

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NEWS: DATA

☕ Your second cup: Georgia’s growing

Whether you’re discussing politics, jobs or roads, it’s apparent that Georgia is growing. The 13th Colony is also the 13th fastest growing state in the past 15 years. The Pew Charitable Trusts Fiscal 50 project tracks population changes among the states, and it’s just issued an updated look at population changes and the drivers for them. Georgia has a steady inflow of new residents even as birth rates drop. Take a look at the findings to see where Georgia stacks up and the trends around the growth.

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