Big South Insights
717 words | 2.5 min.
Welcome to Big South Insights, a quarterly newsletter powered by Ohio River South. We promise to bring you useful data, smart insights, and thoughtful commentary from across the New American South.
The South is America’s fastest-growing region and newly-crowned economic capital. According to Bloomberg, Florida, Texas, Georgia, Tennessee and the Carolinas are driving a “$100 billion wealth migration” and pulling the country’s economic center of gravity south.
- Six southern states accounted for 23.8% of the country’s GDP last year (the Northeast had 22.4%) and the bulk of U.S. population gain.
- 2.2 million people (Houston’s population) moved to the Southeast in the last two years. During that time, the region created more than two-thirds of the nation’s jobs.
- Since 1975, 12 states in the Southeast + Texas added 33 congressional seats — the same number the Northeast and Midwest lost.
Turbocharged growth, job creation and political influence are key components in the next southern renaissance. Ohio River South is purpose-built to help manifest that ambition across policy, commerce and community.
Go deeper: America’s economy rapidly shifts south
Bloomberg Equality Summit
An Evening with Tyler Perry | Atlanta, GA | Oct. 18
National Black Professional Lobbyists Association
National Membership Meeting & Conference | Birmingham, AL | Oct. 25 – 27
ForbesBLK
2023 Summit | Atlanta, GA | Nov. 5-6
National League of Cities
2023 City Summit | Atlanta, GA | Nov. 16-18
National Black Caucus of State Legislators
47th Annual Legislative Conference | Nashville, TN | Nov. 28 – Dec. 1
Public Affairs Council
STRIDE – A Social Impact Summit | Washington, DC | Dec. 6
In Three Southern States, a Legal Battle Over Political Maps
G.O.P. legislatures in Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana are contesting federal orders to redraw congressional maps that disfavor Black voters. The stakes are enormous.
Southeast a ‘powerhouse’ of EV manufacturing but utility investment lags rest of nation
The six-state region is home to 18% of the U.S. population but claims only 7% of transportation electrification investments, according to the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
How to Succeed as a Front-Runner
Louisiana is the only state in the Deep South with a Democratic governor. That’s about to change. Gov. John Bel Edwards is term-limited and Jeff Landry, the Republican attorney general, is the clear favorite to succeed him.
Georgia agencies seek more health spending, raises and reversal of cuts by lawmakers
Weeks after it became clear the state would run a third massive yearly surplus in a row, Gov. Brian Kemp told state agencies they could ask for more money to spend in the coming year.
U.S. Supreme Court to rule on Texas law limiting social media content removal
The high court previously blocked the state law from going into effect while the case plays out. It will also consider a similar Florida case that revolves around the First Amendment.
Last month, Ohio River South welcomed 500 power players to our annual Congressional Black Caucus brunch to celebrate southern mayors. Though only our second ALC event, the consensus is that it has quickly become a CBC favorite!
Thanks to our sponsors Jackmont Hospitality and ForbesBLK for helping curate an unforgettable event. Special thanks to CBC Chairman Steven Horsford (D-NV) and ALC Chairman Raphael Warnock (D-GA) for spending the afternoon with us!
Former Dean of the Georgia House of Representatives Calvin Smyre accepted a nomination from President Biden to serve as U.S. Representative to the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed Representative of the United States at the United Nations General Assembly and I am excited to have this opportunity to serve and represent the United States. I am grateful to President Joe Biden for this opportunity and the trust he has shown in me.”
Congratulations to Rep. Smyre for another major milestone in a career chockfull of them. Thank you for continuing to faithfully serve the country.
We hope you enjoyed the inaugural edition of Big South Insights! Our team hails from the New South — where we serve hundreds of clients — helping us collect insights and intelligence for 30,000 readers and counting.
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