The CEDS is updated every five-years, as required by the Economic Development Administration (EDA). ARC is the designated Economic Development District (EDD) for the 11-county Metro Region including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale.
Join the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) for the first Economic Development Forum on April 17, 2025, where we will hear from Dr. Jerry Parrish, Chief Economist with the Metro Atlanta Chamber. Dr. Parrish will center his presentation on the state of the economy with a focus on small to medium sized businesses. We will dive into a review of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) with a goal to determine your needs and priorities and to reevaluate the plan’s action items. ARC staff will present options for resources to help with your planning and implementation needs.
The CEDS update was the Region’s opportunity to adapt to changing global, national, and local economic conditions and resident needs. It is a post-recession, post-COVID-19 Action Plan to reset the economy. The pandemic added focus to the vulnerability of our population, compounded by a lens on inequity, racism, and poverty, where communities and businesses of color were more impacted by the loss of jobs, income, medical care, and access to education. This CEDS acknowledges the successes of past economic achievements and focuses on practical solutions and optional experimental strategies from business leaders, universities, educational entities, NGOs (non-governmental organizations), and economic development professionals with an expanded base of nontraditional stakeholders (non-profits, faith-based organizations, etc.). Over the next five years ARC and our partners will work together to implement this action-oriented plan.
The CEDS allows communities and organizations to receive grants and assistance from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for projects and technical assistance.
View our StoryMap to learn more about the CEDS, see the success in 2023 and some initiatives in 2024.
ARC’s Strategic Partners are committed to fostering collaborative regional approaches that improve quality of life in metro Atlanta. Their support elevates ARC leadership programs, research and events throughout the year. Learn more.
