Economic Development Program

Core Functions:

• Strategic Planning: Leads the development of a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), a roadmap for long-term prosperity. Current initiatives include:
  • Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
• Grant Access & Technical Support: Helps local governments and organizations apply for federal and state funding, especially from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Current initiatives include:
  • Blueprint 2.0 Implementation and Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance (AAA) Partnership and Collaboration
• Data & Research: Provides economic analysis, mapping, and other needed projects for ARC communities. Current initiatives include:
  • Workforce Research Map
  • Blueprint
• Regional Collaboration: Facilitates partnerships across counties and cities and other stakeholders to tackle shared challenges like workforce development, infrastructure, small business support, and housing. Current initiatives include:
  • Economic Development Forums

Current Initiatives for Strategic Planning:

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

The Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) is the designated Economic Development District (EDD) by the Economic Development Administration (EDA) for the 11-county Metro Region including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale. The CEDS is a regionally driven plan designed to guide economic growth, resilience, and collaboration across communities. It’s the cornerstone of how regions qualify for federal support from the Economic Development Administration (EDA).  It is the Region’s roadmap to economic growth across multiple interconnected sectors.

CEDS Importance:

• Aligns stakeholders: Encourages collaboration among governments, businesses, nonprofits, and academia.
• Unlocks funding: Required for access to EDA grants and technical assistance as well as other funding (as available).
• Builds capacity: Helps regions invest in infrastructure, workforce, and innovation.

CEDS Goals:

• Build on Previous Successes to Promote the Economic Resiliency and Prosperity of all Residents, Businesses, and Communities in the Region
• Reinforce Equity as the Foundation for Regional and Local Initiatives
• Focus on Business Innovation to Support the Development and Expansion of Small and Medium Sized Businesses
• Ensure the Global and National Competitiveness of the Regional Economy

Resources:

• CEDS document
• Annual Reports
• Story Maps
• Action Plan

Current Initiatives for Grant Access & Technical Support

Blueprint 2.0 Implementation and Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance (AAA) Partnership and Collaboration

ARC provided $150,000 of CARES Act funds to update the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance Blueprint. In 2024, Blueprint 2.0 was completed to lead the work of AAA and the 15 cities and 2 counties included within the organization’s footprint. Implementation has begun. ARC is a strategic partner of AAA.

Current Initiatives for Data & Research

Workforce Research Map

ARC is currently assembling a workforce resource map which highlights incubators, accelerators, workforce training facilities, and other resources. This also highlights who the facility serves and what the focus is. While a great resource on its own, the intent is to also identify gaps in locations and services for future planning and resource allocation.

Blueprint

Current Initiatives for Regional Collaboration

Economic Development Forums

ARC has launched a new series meant to link our economic development professionals and other stakeholders together to learn about economic development trends, best practices, and network with each other.  The CEDS Action Plan was reviewed by the group in the inaugural meeting in April and the actions identified were confirmed to still be relevant. The two topics that rose to the top are small business support and resources and workforce resources, especially around incubators and accelerators

View information about upcoming and past Economic Development Forums.