The Rise of the Efficiency Economy: What It Means for Henry County Solopreneurs in 2026 (A 4-Part Blog Series)
 
In early 2026, the headlines say the economy is “steady.” GDP growth sits around 2.2%. Employers aren’t hiring aggressively—but they’re not laying off either. It feels stable.
But underneath that surface stability, something much bigger is happening.

We are shifting from a labor-volume economy to an efficiency economy—where growth is driven less by headcount and more by automation, data, and specialized skill.
And nowhere is that shift more visible than right here in Henry County.

Part 2. Henry County: A Case Study in the Efficiency Economy

Henry County has emerged as a primary hub of this transition.

$333 Million NewCold Investment

The NewCold facility in McDonough represents a $333 million investment—the largest in county history.

But here’s the shift:

It creates approximately 170 jobs.

Why? Because it is a high-bay, fully automated storage system built around robotics and mechatronics. Throughput per square foot matters more than headcount per acre.

That’s the efficiency economy in action.

Smart Resilience Decision Support Tool

In February 2026, Henry County’s Smart Resilience Decision Support Tool—developed in partnership with Georgia Tech—was recognized nationally for innovation.

Instead of approving projects case-by-case, the county now uses geospatial “digital twin” modeling to evaluate freight flow, infrastructure stress, and environmental constraints before approving new development.

This is public-sector efficiency.

Catch up! Read the entire 4-part series: