AGP Executive Report

Federal Housing & Infrastructure: City of Griffin, Georgia won a $1M CDBG grant for Phase II water improvements in the Southern Rushton Mill target area, aimed at residents who are all low-to-moderate income. Power Grid & Costs: The U.S. DOT is floating “America’s Great Corridors of Commerce,” a plan to let private firms run transmission lines and other utilities along existing highway and rail corridors, with possible permitting and cost relief—though lower electric bills aren’t guaranteed. Housing Access: A new AP report says the poorest Americans still can’t find affordable homes, even as some low-income units sit empty when rents rise toward market levels. Data Centers & Community Trust: A CalMatters commentary says most Americans oppose the current pace of data center construction and warns the boom can’t be stopped—so developers need transparency and shared benefits. Permitting & Land Use: Oregon groups are urging the public to fight the proposed rollback of the Roadless Rule, warning it could raise wildfire risk and harm water and wildlife. Construction & Jobs: Utah faces waves of layoffs tied to shutdowns and cutbacks, even as national job-cut totals remain lower than last year. Healthcare Real Estate: Corewell Health and Select Medical plan an 84-bed inpatient rehab hospital in Sterling Heights, targeting a 2029 opening.

Affordable Housing Demand: CIDCO says it drew 4,180 applicants for 4,793 EWS homes across Navi Mumbai, with booking closed Sept. 3 and PMAY-U Rs 2.5 lakh subsidies still in play. Housing Shortage Reality Check: A new report highlights how “affordable” units can sit empty while the poorest renters can’t afford anything above 50% of area median income. Local Development Watch: Roanoke County’s historic Poage Farm is being cleared for 118 single-family homes, showing how rezoning fights can reshape projects. Homeless Services Funding: A federal judge temporarily blocked HUD from ending LA homeless-services money, ordering about $241M to keep flowing while court oversight ramps up. Data Centers & Politics: As midterms near, Republicans face growing voter pushback on AI data centers over power, water, and land use—while some argue developers should pay infrastructure costs. Permitting & Mining: The House advanced a FAST-41 expansion for mining and mineral processing in South Arkansas, aiming to speed lithium-related development. Construction Safety/Infrastructure: Federal investigators are probing why an Amazon cargo jet crash at Miami International overran the runway, focusing on touchdown timing, speed, braking, and conditions.

Housing & Land Use: Oregon agencies want public input on a long-term recreation plan for the North Fork/Opal Creek area as reopening nears, with the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire still shaping access and visitor pressure. Office Real Estate: Taco Bell and Habit Burger are relocating their shared HQ to Irvine’s Alton HQ campus, a 254,000-square-foot move that signals major local leasing demand. Manufactured Housing: A new federal law removes the permanent-chassis requirement, aiming to spur innovation and reduce stigma in the affordable manufactured-home market. Energy & Infrastructure: West Virginia pushes a “50 by 50” power expansion strategy, while South Korea and the U.S. back a $22.3B Texas gas plant tied to AI-driven electricity demand. Labor & Community Services: A Rhode Island nonprofit (DaVinci Center) secured $440K to expand food, health, housing stability support, and workforce programs. Policy Watch: Texas politics is increasingly targeting Muslim religious practices, with housing and public accommodations becoming flashpoints.

Water & Infrastructure: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers says Lewes-Rehoboth Canal dredging is still set to start in October, with about 90,000 cubic yards of sediment to be pumped to placement sites in Lewes. Local Housing Development: Dillon, Colorado is delaying a decision on a 150-unit apartment plan to replace the Skyline Cinema, extending a public hearing to Sept. 15. Data Centers vs. Power: Texas lawmakers and officials are pushing back on data-center growth and transmission buildouts after ERCOT warned of potential blackouts without new lines, with an audit pausing some work. Energy Costs Hitting Home: Diesel prices hit a new record above $5.85 nationally, with Michigan feeling the squeeze as higher fuel costs ripple through trucking, farming, and construction. Legal/Policy: The Supreme Court dismissed a challenge to Trump’s congressionally unauthorized White House ballroom project, narrowing who can sue over historic-site harm. Community & Climate Impacts: Gainesville, Florida residents reflected on spring wildfires tied to ongoing drought conditions, including evacuations affecting a housing development. Real Estate & Public Access: Oregon’s Willamette Falls is moving into a “generational facelift” with multiple projects aimed at restoring public access and Indigenous presence.

AI Data Centers & Power Politics: Trump’s push for AI data centers is colliding with voter backlash, with polls showing most Americans don’t want them nearby, raising new election risks for Republicans. Local Land-Use Fight: A Pennsylvania farmer rejected a ~$15.7M AI data center offer and instead used a preservation deal to lock the land into agriculture, showing how conservation tools can stop development. Energy Demand & Utilities: Berkshire Hathaway CEO Greg Abel says it will serve hyperscalers only if other customers don’t pay more, as data centers keep driving utility load. Housing Market Pressure: Seattle-area luxury homes are languishing after tech job cuts and new taxes, a sign of how quickly local demand can cool. Construction & Permitting: A federal judge reinforced a 48-hour notice requirement for Trump’s planned Arlington arch work, keeping the project tied up in court. Military Housing Upgrade: Fort Sill, Oklahoma is installing geothermal heat pumps in 1,700+ homes, aiming to cut energy use by about 57% and save millions annually. Transportation Safety: A fatal pedestrian crash on U.S. 41 in North Fort Myers is renewing concerns about fast traffic and unsafe crossings. Water Costs: Queen Creek, Arizona faces six years of water rate hikes tied to a long-term water purchase plan, with monthly fees rising sharply for many households. Housing & Taxes: A tax-focused explainer highlights how income-tax rules can discourage older homeowners from selling and moving, tightening housing supply. Construction Updates (Vermont): Multiple I-89 and I-91 paving and bridge projects are set to affect traffic this week, with lane closures and speed limits.

DC Construction Fight: A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to give 48 hours’ notice before starting work on the planned 250-foot Great Triumphal Arch near Arlington National Cemetery, after a lawsuit challenged the project. Housing & Zoning: Texas lifted a decades-long ban on mobile and manufactured homes statewide, requiring cities with zoning maps to allow HUD-code manufactured homes in at least one residential district. Local Infrastructure: Oregon’s ODOT will intermittently close ramps on I-5’s Beltline interchanges for overnight repaving and traffic-signal electrical work starting Sept. 8 through Sept. 22. Airport Funding: The FAA awarded $481 million in infrastructure grants to 191 airports, including a $100 million ATL check for runway, taxiway, and terminal reconstruction. Data Center Pressure: Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock called for a data-center moratorium after residents raised concerns about water, power, and pollution impacts from OpenAI’s planned facility. Real Estate Markets: A Fire Island Cherry Grove glass estate saw another major price cut, now asking just under $4M after earlier reductions.

Housing Affordability: Young, high-income Americans are increasingly renting instead of buying as home prices outpace incomes and mortgage costs stay high, widening the gap between monthly rent and the all-in cost of homeownership. Local Revitalization: Gainesville, Fla. won a $25M HUD CHOICE Neighborhoods grant to replace aging public housing with energy-efficient mixed-income developments and refresh the East University Avenue corridor. Construction & Traffic: Caltrans is shutting down all northbound Highway 101 lanes through San Francisco’s Hospital Curve for Labor Day weekend, with detours via I-280 and major pavement work. Jobs & Rates: New U.S. jobs data showed August employment growth of 162,000 with unemployment at 4.1%, reviving rate-hike expectations—an important signal for mortgage affordability. Power & Data Centers: Ceres released guidance for investors on electric power risks as data centers expand and strain utilities’ ability to meet fast timelines. Trade & Steel: South Korea urged the U.S. to ease tariffs on equipment for a $5.8B Hyundai-POSCO electric arc furnace steel mill in Louisiana, aiming to keep the project on track. Road Safety: Michigan State Police said it no longer seeks info on a U.S. 131 tar-tanker trailer crash after investigators obtained what they needed. Workforce & Inclusion: A Gilbert, Ariz. window-and-door maker highlighted rapid growth alongside a workforce where 60% have justice-involved backgrounds. Real Estate Pipeline: Penn State said its Board of Trustees will consider proposed transactions involving the Shenango campus at its Sept. 17-18 meetings.

Jobs & Rates: Employers added 162,000 jobs in August and unemployment held at 4.1%, pushing Wall Street to price in a possible Fed hike—an important signal for mortgage affordability and housing demand. HUD Fair Housing: HUD says accessibility violation complaints for multifamily design and construction now have a tighter filing deadline, treating them as discrete acts—good news for developers, but a concern for disability advocates. Rural Development & Local Growth: USDA opened a new Rural Development office in Albia, Iowa, tied to loan/grant support for projects like hospital expansion and electric infrastructure. Community Grants: Georgia awarded $40.9M in Community Development Block Grants to 42 local communities for infrastructure and housing needs. Construction Workforce: A new survey highlights ongoing craft labor shortages even as construction hiring continues to rebound. Energy & Power Demand: Iowa’s nuclear task force says the state is positioned to join the emerging nuclear buildout as electricity demand rises. Data Centers Backlash (Policy): The week’s housing-policy and infrastructure debates keep circling around how new construction gets approved, financed, and regulated. Road & Bridge Projects: Multiple states rolled out highway work affecting traffic, including bridge rehabilitation and bypass openings that can reshape local development patterns.

Housing & Finance: Mortgage rates inched up again, pushing the 30-year fixed average to 6.71%—a fresh headwind for homebuyers. Local Housing Preservation: WinnCompanies bought a 290-unit affordable complex in Chicopee, Mass., and will spend $41.5M to keep affordability protections in place for 50 years. Affordable Housing Under Pressure: New York City extended its emergency migrant housing order, keeping temporary centers open while phasing out HERRCs. Data Centers & Power Costs: A federal fight in Arkansas centers on who pays for the power behind Google’s West Memphis data-center push, with Entergy and the press battling over PSC records. Data Centers & Politics: New Mexico AG Raul Torrez backed petitions challenging Oracle’s Project Jupiter approvals over due-process concerns, including water and air-permit handling. Disaster & Infrastructure: FEMA approved a major disaster declaration for the May Kona earthquake in Hawaii, unlocking aid for repairs and temporary housing. Flood Impact on Utilities: Cadillac, Mich. says flooding has drained about $350,000 from water-sewer reserves, putting some capital plans on hold. Real Estate & Community Development: Cape Coral, Fla. moved forward on boardwalk construction at Yellow Fever Creek Preserve using a tourist grant. Banking & Property Markets: Simmons First National will close 26 branches across six states, including multiple in Arkansas, affecting 100 employees. Construction & Jobs Backdrop: Reuters expects August payroll growth to rebound, but warns job losses could follow the end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants.

Historic Downtown Revitalization (Tempe): Tempe is moving to negotiate leases for its 1912 Tempe National Bank building and the Tempe Hardware building, aiming to bring in small local businesses; final votes are set for Sept. 10. Climate & Property Risk (Chicago): A new global ranking names Chicago the world’s most climate-resilient major city, underscoring how hazard exposure and adaptation capacity can shape real estate values. Embedded Banking for Corporate Clients (M&T/FIS): FIS launched an embedded banking platform with M&T among early users, a sign banks are trying to deepen ties with businesses through software-based access. Grid Buildout & Lead Times (Eaton/Transmission): As U.S. power demand surges, manufacturers are expanding domestic output of key grid components; meanwhile, the Southwest Intertie Project’s final segment is underway. Housing Affordability Pressure (Mortgage Rates): Freddie Mac reports 30-year fixed rates around 6.71%, keeping affordability tight despite some inventory gains. Affordable Housing Funding (Janesville/Acts Housing): Janesville approved $299,000 to help a nonprofit buy, rehab, and resell affordable homes via a revolving fund. Fair Housing Enforcement (HUD): HUD is still facing court scrutiny after judges pushed back on efforts to narrow fair housing grant support. Data Centers on Federal Land (Nevada BLM): A federal appeals board halted a 167-MW data center approval after finding likely environmental-law problems. Local Land-Use & Climate Rules (Maui): Maui’s council advanced sea-level-rise criteria for rezoning some apartment-zoned vacation rentals for hotel use, with housing advocates warning it could shift homes away from residents. Labor & Housing Intersections (H-2A Wage Ruling): A judge sided with the United Farm Workers in an H-2A wage lawsuit, challenging how wage cuts and housing cost rules were implemented.

Housing Additions Trend: In Waxhaw, NC, homeowners are choosing “expand-in-place” as mortgage rates hover near 6.5% and median prices top $510,000, with JH Landscapes reporting rising demand for house additions. Local Finance: Gibson County, IN commissioners want to tap remaining TIF funds to clear about $19,582 in school lunch balances. Mortgage Rates: Rates stayed stubborn Sept. 3, 2026—30-year fixed at 6.810% and 15-year at 5.980%. Data Centers & Risk: Verisk launched a building-level U.S. Data Center Exposure Database for insurers as AI drives faster growth and higher concentration risk. Renters’ Help: Santa Maria, CA boosted its security-deposit assistance to a max $3,000 (no repayment) to reduce move-in barriers. Construction Watch: Idaho’s Stibnite Gold Project and Oregon’s Grassy Mountain Gold Project both cleared key federal permitting steps as work sequences toward development. Infrastructure Policy: USDOT unveiled “America’s Great Corridors of Commerce” to lease rights-of-way for power lines and fiber.

Affordable Housing: Gov. Hochul marked major milestones on Long Island, including completion of the nearly $98M Matinecock Court project in Huntington with 145 affordable co-op homes, plus an 82-unit senior development in Portsmouth expected by late 2028. Data Centers & Taxes: A new JLL look finds most states use tax incentives to lure data centers, while Georgia’s Atlanta area keeps pulling ahead on construction pace; at the same time, Entergy sued to block release of financial details tied to Google’s West Memphis project. Local Housing Costs & AI: Portsmouth renters say AI revenue tools can swing lease prices fast, fueling calls for limits on rent-fixing using algorithms. Construction & Jobs: Long Island construction employment slipped again year over year, even as data centers and power projects keep straining for skilled labor. Fed & Rates: The Fed’s Beige Book points to modest growth and moderate price increases, with uncertainty tied to energy, policy, and international conflict. Infrastructure & Community: A $10.7M FAA grant backs Pittsburgh airport upgrades, while Prairie City Road in California fully reopened after pavement repairs. Energy & Materials: Rare earth demand for EVs and defense magnets is rising fast, boosting interest in non-China supply.

Housing & Development: Habitat for Humanity broke ground on the Mason Street Neighborhood in Port Hadlock, starting construction of 138 permanently affordable homes on a former airstrip, including 136 attached houses plus two group homes. Affordable Housing & Infrastructure: Abbeville, South Carolina officials are planning a veterans memorial at Harry’s Plaza, weighing bronze, bricks, signage, and fundraising options. Local Real Estate & Public Safety Facilities: Rep. Juan Ciscomani toured plans for Oro Valley Police’s future 50,500-square-foot headquarters in a former medical office building, tied to a $4.2M DOJ grant request. Data Centers & Land Use: Bulloch County, Georgia rejected a bid to prohibit data centers outright, keeping a moratorium while a working group studies the issue; in Nevada, federal land appeals paused a Boulder City data center project on public land. Construction & Markets: U.S. construction spending fell as data centers offset a housing slump, while FEMA awarded Hurricane Helene grants in Virginia totaling over $7.1M for wastewater repairs and debris removal. Global Pressure on U.S. Housing: Escalating U.S.-Iran tensions pushed oil higher and rattled markets, feeding inflation and rate worries that can hit mortgage demand. Real Estate Fraud: A North Texas couple received federal prison time for a custom home project scheme, ordered to pay $2.8M in restitution.

Housing Foreclosure Watch (California): ATTOM data shows California logged 2,540 foreclosure starts in July 2026, with a Notice of Default often giving homeowners a window to act before an auction. Local Consumer Protection: A new California wildfire safety push would set standards for when it’s safe to return home after smoke contamination, aiming to reduce insurer disputes. Affordable Housing + Child Care: Oregon’s Elm Park in Florence opened with 32 affordable homes and an on-site early learning center for 60 kids, tackling both housing and child care deserts. New Construction Demand: U.S. construction job openings hit a nearly two-year high in July, with data centers and power projects driving hiring. Big Tech + Ads Pricing: The FTC and 22 states sued Amazon, alleging it manipulated ad auctions to charge advertisers more, with costs passed to consumers. Data Centers vs. Communities: Trump defended AI data centers amid backlash, while lawmakers and groups continue pushing back on costs and public input. Water Infrastructure Grant: Tennessee’s TASS won a $5M EDA grant for a $27M ceramic membrane water treatment facility to meet rising demand. Energy + Real Estate Pipeline: Tennessee also issued the first state license for fusion energy development, with plans tied to TVA’s Bull Run complex. Sandy Springs Apartments: Kennedy Wilson and Shimizu are redeveloping a Sandy Springs site into Caldwell, a $139M, 382-unit multifamily project. Supreme Court / Federal Projects: The U.S. Supreme Court cleared the way for Trump’s $400M White House ballroom to keep moving, a reminder that federal construction can outlast legal fights.

White House Ballroom Fight: The U.S. Supreme Court (5-4) let Trump’s $400M White House ballroom construction move ahead, despite a National Trust for Historic Preservation lawsuit arguing the president lacked authority. Data Center Power Politics: As backlash grows, Trump and AI backers are pushing communities to accept data centers, while some firms look abroad for power and chips amid cancellations and moratoriums. Local Housing Moves: Fayetteville’s Drake Farms opened its first apartments for lease, with rents starting around $1,249 for studios, as the mixed-use project targets 120 units. Risk and Insurance Pressure: Verisk raised its modeled insured catastrophe loss benchmark to an average $171B annually, citing exposure growth and higher reconstruction costs. Critical Minerals Push: Nova Minerals says U.S. Energy Department discussions boosted support for Alaska antimony plans tied to domestic critical-minerals goals. Housing Affordability Signals: A report says cash buyers are losing grip and that U.S. rents are rising as apartment supply tightens. Legal/Infrastructure: A judge trimmed most economic claims in the Baltimore Key Bridge case, limiting damages tied to the bridge’s physical damage.

Lake Ontario Renaming Fallout: Ontario agencies restored “Lake Ontario” on government sites after Google Maps briefly swapped it to “Lake America,” underscoring how digital labels can ripple into real-world politics. Affordable Housing + Child Care: Oregon opened Elm Park in Florence, pairing 32 affordable homes with an on-site early learning center for 60 kids—an approach meant to tackle two affordability bottlenecks at once. Forensic Facility Paused: A Montana judge issued an injunction halting a forensic mental health facility near Laurel, ordering more water-use analysis before construction can resume. Data Center Backlash Meets Power Reality: Trump doubled down on “Golden Goose” data centers while public opposition grows; meanwhile, AI infrastructure coverage highlights a looming electricity shortfall and why some are pushing nuclear as the steady power source. Housing Finance Access: New reporting says non-QM mortgages keep expanding as more borrowers fall outside Qualified Mortgage standards, shifting more lending to private documentation routes. Local Housing Credit: Santa Barbara’s Housing Authority earned an A+ issuer credit rating from S&P, pointing to strong reserves and demand for affordable units. Construction & Jobs: Reframe Systems raised $40M to scale robotic microfactories for faster homebuilding, aiming to ease the U.S. housing shortage. Transit/Infrastructure: Kansas DOT warned of I-70 and U.S. 77 delays around K-State game days as roadwork continues.