ECONOMICALLY (DEVELOPMENT) SPEAKING

JM Mullis' Mike Mullis was a panelist at CoreNet Global's economic development panel Tuesday (and a man who appreciates bottled water). He told the audience—mostly municipal economic developers—that one of Atlanta's problems is that incentives ?are not nearly as bountiful as other cities,? such as Seattle and Dallas-Fort Worth. Of course, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is a huge selling point for Atlanta, he says.
Kate McEnroe Consulting's namesake (and also wife of CresaPartners' Ed Riggins) says traffic is a major obstacle for Atlanta when it comes to luring companies: ?[Prospects] will not hear good things about their everyday life as it relates to traffic. And for some companies, depending on their culture, they won't like to hear we're last in terms of arts funding.?
McCallum Sweeny Consulting's Ed McCallum says ?there's anuntapped creative class here that is phenomenal.? Ed's own son attends the Savannah College of Art and Design and the concentration of those in the arts and related fields in Atlanta is something that regional economic developers need to push more when speaking with prospects: ?I don't think Atlanta sells that enough.?

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Atlanta Newsletters
Related Stories

The Geo Group To Reopen 2,329-Bed Immigration Facility In Texas

What's At Stake For CRE In Tuesday's U.S. Midterm

Dan Wagner To Head Lee & Associates In Atlanta: The Atlanta Deal Sheet

From Pandemic Darling To Cautionary Tale: Pickleball Clubs Face A Reckoning After Betting Big On Retail Space

Gwinnett Mall Project Stands To Benefit From Georgia's Opportunity Zone Picks

Georgia's Utility Board Race Could Reshape Nearly 20 GW Pipeline Of Data Centers

Foundry Robotics Leaves San Francisco For New East Bay HQ

Tenant Rep Firm Expands To Philly, Hires Industry Veteran

Data Centers Lose The Top Spot, San Francisco Jumps 40 Places: 9 Takeaways From ULI's 2027 Outlook

Cushman & Wakefield, NYC Added To Suit Alleging $250K Agency Lease Shakedown

Auto Retailer Completes Hennessy Acquisition: The Atlanta Deal Sheet

Denver Public Schools' $11M Centennial Hall Purchase Marks Rare Land Sale For ULC