Competitive Economy

The Atlanta Region's Plan / Competitive Economy

Improving quality of life for residents of all ages and abilities

A strong, growing economy is essential to the success of any region. To ensure that metro Atlanta’s economy remains thriving and competitive into the future, the region must take steps to become a globally recognized hub of innovation and prosperity. The region also must also invest in its greatest resource, its people, to develop a highly educated and skilled workforce that is able to meet the needs of 21st century employers.

Building the region as a globally recognized hub of innovation and prosperity

Over the last few decades, logistics, hospitality, information technology and life sciences have blossomed in the Atlanta region. Incentivizing start-up opportunities and local business development and expanding successful ventures will ensure continued prosperity. The Atlanta Region’s Plan seeks to further improve the region’s economic viability by preserving access to key intermodal freight facilities and by advancing policies that make the region more attractive to business.

The Atlanta Region’s Plan also encourages developing and enhancing existing and emerging employment centers, which serve as the backbone of the region’s economy, through improvements in transportation and land use.

Action Items

Maintain the Region’s Current Success in Existing and Emerging Employment Sectors

With a core goal of empowering upward economic mobility for all, CATLYST is a strategy designed to improve regional competitiveness and collaboration throughout the 10-county region.

CATLYST works to ensure that metro Atlanta has good jobs, a well-trained workforce, and the regional collaboration needed to invigorate economic growth. CATLYST serves as the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the Atlanta region, and allows communities and organizations to receive grants and assistance from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for projects and technical assistance that support the four focus areas.

It all happens through the work of project teams consisting of leaders from across the region’s public, private, and nonprofit spheres. Work began in 2017 with an evaluation of the region’s economy, including data analysis and extensive outreach (interviews, focus groups, public forums, and workshops). This work built on the 2012 Regional Economic Competitiveness Strategy.

Ensure that Our Existing and Emerging Employment Centers Support Innovation and Balance Job Growth and Economic Development

The Atlanta Region’s Plan supports balanced growth throughout the region. Economically prosperous innovative regions are not created by accident, but are instead designed. The Atlanta Region’s Plan policies support equitable access to digital infrastructure, like high speed internet, to ensure all parts of the region can attract new employers and allow for innovation.

Work with Local Communities to Implement a Regional Approach to Workforce Development

Having a well-trained workforce is critical to remaining competitive in the global 21st Century economy. To that end, a regional approach to workforce development is essential. We must improve coordination between educators, workforce organizations, employers and government. This approach ensures every student’s educational success and equitable access to opportunities, career training and skill development.

The Atlanta Regional Commission manages WorkSource Atlanta Regional, which provides services to help meet the needs of today’s employers and job seekers in Cherokee, Clayton, Douglas, Fayette, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties.

WorkSource Atlanta Regional provides services at Career Resource Centers located throughout its seven-county service area. The Mobile Career Lab is also stationed weekly at convenient locations in the program area.

Visit ATLWorks.org to learn more.