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PROFILE OF METRO Metro Atlanta is here, now and next. A region of visionaries who do what others never imagined. Inventing. Connecting. Inspiring. Thriving. We nurture and welcome the brightest talent – global leaders who disrupt the status quo and crusade to change the world. We are dreamers who galvanized the , creatives who are redefining digital entertainment and innovators who are paving an inclusive way to urban development. We are lively main , lakes nestled in lush greenspaces and bustling nightlife in the – the options are endless. In metro Atlanta, we share one ambition: To never stop rising. photos: Department of Economic Development

1837 As the site for 1847 Atlanta was 1864 Atlanta, a 1886 Atlanta 1914 The Federal 1925 Walter A. Sims the southern terminus of incorporated as a city. strategic transportation pharmacist Dr. John S. Reserve Bank established signed a lease on an abandoned the state-owned Western center during the Civil Pemberton created the a branch in Atlanta. auto racetrack and committed the & Atlantic Railroad, War, was reduced to ashes beverage that became city to developing it into an airfield named Candler Field. Four years Atlanta began as a town after General Sherman’s “Coca-Cola.” later, it became Atlanta Municipal called “Terminus.” victory in the Battle of Airport. Atlanta. DEMOGRAPHICS

The Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is the business capital of the south- eastern U.S. and a global business hub. Metro Atlanta is one of the fastest growing metros in the U.S. and has the 10th largest metro economy in the U.S. as measured by Gross Metro Product (GMP). The is home to 5.9 million people and more than 150,000 business establishments.

The Southeast’s population is 83.7 million, and its economy is the largest of all U.S. regions. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the Southeast measured $4.1 trillion in 2017.

Atlanta MSA City of (29 Counties) Atlanta Population (2017) 5,884,736 486,290 Median Age (2017) 36.4 33.3 % of population 25 and over with a 37.9% 49.2% Bachelor’s degree or higher (2017) % of population foreign-born (2017) 14.1% 7.5%

SNAPSHOT Labor Force (2017) 3,034,633 250,758 Median Household Income (2017) $65,381 $57,597

METROPOLITAN AREA > 8,723 square miles > 22,592 square kilometers > 29 counties: Barrow Haralson Bartow Heard ATLANTA Butts Henry

Alabama Carroll Jasper Georgia Lamar Clayton Meriwether Cobb Morgan

Florida Coweta Newton Dawson Paulding DeKalb Pickens Douglas Pike Fayette Rockdale Forsyth Spalding Fulton Walton Gwinnett

1936 “Gone With 1941 1946 The 1955 The 1964 Dr. Martin 1971 The airport’s name The Wind” by Margaret relocated its headquarters Communicable Disease first Waœe House Luther , Jr., a native changed to William B. was published. from Monroe, La., Center (CDC) was opened (Avondale Atlantan, won the Nobel Hartsfield Atlanta The Pulitzer Prize- to Atlanta. established in Atlanta. Estates). Peace Prize. International Airport. winning novel became It is now known as the the movie three years Centers for Disease later. Control and Prevention. METRO ATLANTA HAS THE LOWEST RELATIVE COST OF DOING BUSINESS AMONG THE NATION’S 10 LARGEST METRO AREAS.

(KPMG, Competitive Alternatives: Guide to International Business Location Costs, 2016) photos: Georgia Department of Economic Development

1974 Atlanta Brave 1975 R.E. “Ted” Turner’s 1978 The Home 1982 Georgia-Pacific 1991 United Parcel 1996 Atlanta hosted the broke Babe Turner Broadcasting System Depot, another home- moved its headquarters Service (UPS) relocated Centennial , Ruth’s home run record (TBS) went on the air. Today, grown success story, to Atlanta from Portland, its headquarters from the first time the Summer with his 715th home run. the award-winning cable was founded in Atlanta. Ore. Greenwich, Conn. to Games were held in the stations CNN, TNT and The metro Atlanta. eastern U.S. are based in Atlanta. GOVERNMENT > Atlanta is the of Georgia. The Capitol Dome brightens Atlanta’s skyline and is layered in 43 ounces of pure gold mined in Dahlonega, Georgia, the site of America’s first “.” > The City of Atlanta is governed by a mayor and a 15-member city council that is managed by the council president. > The 29 counties that make up metro Atlanta are individually governed by boards of commissioners, city councils and . > Atlanta’s symbol is the Phoenix, the legendary bird of Egyptian mythology, which represents Atlanta’s rise from the ashes of the Civil War. The seal of the city bears the Phoenix and the Latin term, “Resurgens,” which means “rising again.”

TAXES > Georgia’s corporate rate is 5.75 percent (single factor apportionment). In the metro Atlanta region of 29 counties, the total (state and local) sales tax rate ranges from six percent (Cherokee, Cobb and Gwinnett counties) to 8.9 percent (City of Atlanta in Fulton and DeKalb counties). > Georgia’s individual income tax rate is a graduated tax based on an individual’s federal adjusted gross income. The tax rate ranges from one to 5.75 percent based on six income brackets. > rates (millage rates) are set locally by each and city. Real and personal property are assessed at 40 percent of fair market value.

QUALITY OF LIFE Metro Atlanta provides exceptional quality of life while maintaining a¨ordability. Residents enjoy access to arts, culture, sports and nightlife. Metro Atlanta experiences all four seasons with cool winters, warm summers and adequate rainfall.

Cost of Living Index: Select U.S. Metros 240

238.6226.0 220

200

192.9 180 174.7

160 148.4 146.0 155.7 148.2 140

120 119.0 109.4 123.6 114.6 100 102.1 U.S. average: 100 98.5 99.998.0

80 Atlanta, GA , TX , FL , IL , MA , D.C. , CA , NY*

Source: C2ER Cost of Living Index, 2017 Annual Averages *New York values are for Manhattan

2000s Metro 2003 The airport’s 2009 NCR and First 2013 PulteGroup 2015 Hartsfield-Jack- 2018 Fifteen metro Atlanta’s population name changed to Data relocated their announced relocating son Atlanta International Atlanta-based companies increased more than Hartsfield-Jackson headquarters to metro its headquarters from Airport became the first ranked in the FORTUNE 500. one million people from Atlanta International Atlanta, increasing the to Atlanta. airport in the world to 2000-2010. Airport. area’s FORTUNE 500 serve 100 million pas- headquarters. sengers in a year. GEORGIA RANKS AS THE #1 STATE FOR LEADING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS.

(Area Development, 2018) photo: Georgia Department of Economic Development photo: By John Williams via Wikimedia Commons photo: O«cial White House Photo by Pete Souza photo: O«cial White House Photo by Pete photo: Georgia Department of Economic Development EDUCATION

PREK THRU 12 More than one million students are served through metro Atlanta’s 37 public school systems that include 1,100 elementary, middle and high schools. Metro Atlanta is also home to approximately 350 private schools. > Metro Atlanta has several international schools that teach in languages other than English, including: German, Arabic, Portuguese, Chinese and Japanese. > English-as-a-Second Language courses are available in every public . > Several schools provide programming in International Baccalaureate (IB) and Advanced Placement (AP). > Georgia o¨ers free Pre-K classes for four-year-old children throughout the state.

HIGHER EDUCATION With more than 290,000 students enrolled in the 64 two- and four-year and universities in the Atlanta and area, businesses benefit from talent, discovery and innovation. Popular fields of study include business and economics, computer science, , mathematics & statistics, engineering and physics. > More than 52,000 associate, bachelor, master and doctorate degrees awarded in the Atlanta/Athens area annually. > Over 25 percent of ’s enrollment is first-generation students, and it is the #1 public university in the U.S. to confer bachelor’s degrees to . > The Georgia Institute of leads the nation in the of engineering bachelor’s degrees awarded (excluding computer science). The school awards more engineering bachelor’s degrees to African Americans and women than any other school in the country. > The region’s strength in engineering continues to grow: since 2012, bachelor’s degrees in engineering awarded in metro Atlanta increased by nearly 70 percent. > Metro Atlanta higher education institutions expended more for research and development in Computer & Information Sciences than all institutions in Boston, or New York. > The largest public universities within metro Atlanta are Georgia State University (GSU), Kennesaw State University (KSU) and the Georgia Institute of Technology (). Private universities in metro Atlanta include and , among others. > Metro Atlanta is home to the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Consortium, the world’s oldest and largest association of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The AUC is comprised of four member institutions: , , Morehouse School of Medicine, and . > Metro Atlanta/Athens is home to the main campuses of seven technical colleges, which enroll more than 42,000 students a year. They are a vital workforce training and retooling resource for the local business communities. > Atlanta Technical College is among the top community colleges in the nation. > Georgia’s program for financial aid (scholarships and grants) is HOPE: Helping Outstanding Pupils Educationally. 2018 FORTUNE 500 Headquarters (15)

2018 FORTUNE 1000 Headquarters (11)

Source: FORTUNE magazine, May 21, 2018 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY

Metro Atlanta is recognized as an international gateway and the economic engine of the Southeast. As the largest economy of all metros in the region, metro Atlanta o¨ers diverse businesses and services.

> Home to 26 of America’s largest corporations (FORTUNE 1000) and 197 of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies (Inc. 5000), metro Atlanta is a premier location for headquarters. Metro Atlanta is also a leading headquarters location for food franchises, business services and nonprofits. > Metro Atlanta is a thriving ecosystem for entrepreneurs and new businesses. In 2017, Atlanta was named a runner-up to the top 20 tech startup ecosystems globally and one of the top 10 for corporate innovation. There is an abundance of creative energy, talent and entrepreneurial spirit in metro Atlanta. Many companies choose metro Atlanta to locate their innovation centers. > A business-friendly environment and low cost of doing business are key elements for growth and opportunity in the metro Atlanta region. Site Selection named Georgia the #1 state for business climate for the last six years (2013 – 2018). Area Development ranked Georgia the #1 state for doing business for the last five years (2014 – 2018). KPMG indexed Atlanta with the lowest relative cost of doing business of the nation’s ten largest metro areas in 2016.

TARGETED INDUSTRIES

Technology > World-class technology community – encompassing startups and FORTUNE 500 companies > Headquarters of technology leaders including NCR, Global Payments, and SecureWorks, among others > Home to the Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC) – one of 12 business incubators changing the world, according to Forbes > Strengths in FinTech, cyber security, IoT/mobile, health IT, digital media and supply chain

Bioscience & Health IT > More than 2,400 bioscience companies have establishments in Georgia, according to TEConomy/BIO > Nation’s Health IT Capital > Center for global health with the headquarters of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), , Arthritis Foundation, and the Task Force for Global Health > Strengths in medical devices, vaccine R&D and clinical trials

Supply Chain & Advanced > Global logistics hub for the Southeast with extensive intermodal network of air, road, rail and port > 5th in the nation for metro area transportation and logistics employment > 6th largest U.S. industrial market > Strengths in supply chain management software, distribution services, food processing, aerospace and automotive photo: Georgia Department of Economic Development

METRO ATLANTA’S TRANSPORTATION NETWORK EASILY CONNECTS PEOPLE AND PRODUCTS TO THE GLOBAL . photo: Georgia Department of Economic Development photo © MAC 2012 photo © MAC photo: Marta skyline by dbking on Flickr via Wikimedia Commons photo: Georgia Department of Economic Development TRANSPORTATION

AIR SERVICE The world’s most-traveled airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), has five runways that serve more than 100 million passengers a year. > Located in the southeastern region of the , more than 80 percent of U.S. consumers can be reached from Atlanta in two flight hours or two truckload delivery days.

Nonstop flights to more than 150 domestic

ATLANTA destinations and 70 international destinations in more than 50 countries.

AIR CARGO Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is served by 24 all-cargo air carriers. Nearly 700,000 metric tons of cargo passed through ATL in 2017.

HIGHWAYS Three major highways (I-75, I-85, I-20) converge near the central business district. The perimeter (I-285) circles the city in a 62.7-mile loop. Georgia 400 is a six-lane ATLANTA highway providing yet another route to the city via north metro Atlanta. Atlanta’s major highways contain High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) and High Occupancy Toll (HOT) lanes which decrease drive times during peak hours.

RAIL Abundant rail service makes metro Atlanta the rail center of the Southeast. > More than 5,000 railroad miles in Georgia – the largest intermodal hub in the region. > Served by two class-one railroads (CSX and Norfolk Southern) and over 20 short-line companies.

OCEAN The Port of Savannah, located 250 miles from Atlanta, is the single largest and fastest growing container port in the United States.

MASS TRANSIT > Metropolitan Atlanta Authority (MARTA), with bus and rail services that cover more than 1,000 miles. Cobb County Transit (CCT) & connect into MARTA at various points. photo: Georgia Department of Economic Development photo: by Zac Wolf via Wikimedia Commons photo: Georgia Aquarium by Zac Wolf

ATLANTA HAS BEEN THE TOP MOVING DESTINATION IN THE U.S. FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.

(Penske, 2011 – 2018) photo: Georgia Department of Economic Development photo: Georgia Department of Economic Development MAJOR ATTRACTIONS > | Maintains plant collections for the purpose of display, education, research, conservation and enjoyment. www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org

> THE | Founded by former U.S. President and his wife Rosalynn, the Center is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human su¨ering. www.cartercenter.org

> CNN CENTER | Journey into the heart of CNN for an exciting glimpse of news and broadcasting in action. www..com/StudioTour

> PARK | Located on 3,200 acres of natural beauty, Stone Mountain Park features a wide variety of fun family activities and things to do. www.stonemountainpark.com

> MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. CENTER AND NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE | The King Center is the o«cial memorial dedicated to the advancement of the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., leader of America’s greatest nonviolent movement for justice, equality and peace. www.thekingcenter.org

> FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY | A variety of hands-on exhibits about natural history including Dinosaur Plaza, NatureQuest and a Walk Through Time in Georgia. www.fernbankmuseum.org

> | Located in Midtown, the Center o¨ers Atlantans a bold variety of performing and visual arts – both traditional and avant-garde. The Woodru¨ Arts Center includes the , , Arts for Learning and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. www.woodru¨center.org

> THE WORLD OF COCACOLA | Visit The World of Coca-Cola in and trace the history of the world’s most popular soft drink. www.worldofcoca-cola.com

> HALL OF FAME | An interactive and personalized experience featuring exhibits such as The Quad, The Playing Field, The Game Day Theater and AT&T Game Time. www.c¶hall.com

> | A private nonprofit wildlife park and zoological trust. xwww.zooatlanta.org

> GEORGIA AQUARIUM | The world’s largest aquarium with over eight million gallons of water, right in the heart of downtown. www.georgiaaquarium.com

> THE | The historic Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s premiere venues for live entertainment. www.foxtheatre.org

> NATIONAL CENTER FOR CIVIL AND HUMAN RIGHTS | An engaging cultural attraction that connects the American Civil Rights Movement to today’s global human rights movements. www.civilandhumanrights.org

MAJOR FESTIVALS > > Fourth of July at Centennial > 365 > Sweetwater 420 Fest > Festival and > Atlanta Jazz Festival > DragonCon > Decatur Craft Beer Festival > Festival Peachtree Latino > Highland Summerfest > Georgia Renaissance Festival > Festival > National Black Arts Festival > Little 5 Points Halloween Festival and Parade > Taste of Atlanta > Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Parade > photo: Metro Atlanta Chamber photo: Metro Atlanta

ATLANTANS ENJOY A VARIETY OF SPORTS AND RECREATION THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. photo: Suntrust Park opening Thechased by via Wikimedia Commons photo: Suntrust Park SPORTS ATLANTA IS HOME TO 10 PROFESSIONAL SPORTS FRANCHISES: Team League Venue (NFL) Mercedes-Benz Stadium National Association (NBA) Women’s National Basketball State Farm Arena Association (WNBA) Major League (MLB) SunTrust Park Baseball (MiLB) Atlanta United F.C. (MLS) Mercedes-Benz Stadium Atlanta Silverbacks National Premier Soccer League Atlanta Silverbacks Park (NPSL) Atlanta Blaze Major League (MLL) Stadium at Kennesaw State University (NLL) Infinite Energy Arena (Gwinnett) East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Infinite Energy Arena (Gwinnett)

ATLANTA CONTINUES TO HOST MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS, SUCH AS: > College Football Playo¨ National Championship (2018), SEC Championship, Chick-fil-A Bowl, Chick-fil-A Kicko¨ Game, Air Force Reserve > MLS All-Star Game – Professional Soccer (2018) > LIII (2019) - Professional Football > NCAA Men’s Final Four (2020) - College Basketball > and Mitsubishi Electric Classic - PGA Golf > BB&T - Professional Tennis > Monster Energy NASCAR Series and Petit Le Mans - Auto Racing > AJC and Georgia Marathon - Running

RECREATION METRO ATLANTANS HAVE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION: > More than 100 public, private and semi-private golf courses – over 300 golf days per year. > and – for fishing, swimming and boating > Recreation Areas – for walking/hiking, rafting, fishing or picnicking > Recreation leagues and clubs for popular sports, such as tennis, softball, soccer, basketball, cycling and running – The Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association (ALTA) is the largest city tennis league in the world with more than 80,000 members. – The Atlanta Club (ATC), the second largest running organization in the United States, serves 28,000 members who are runners and walkers of all ages and paces.

HEALTHCARE Metro Atlanta provides access to one of the most qualified, a¨ordable and e«cient healthcare systems in the country. Metro Atlanta’s healthcare community includes more than 60 hospital locations and more than 130,000 healthcare practitioners and technicians. SOURCES

Demographics: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), World Bank, Georgia Department of Labor. Note: Southeastern U.S. as defined by BEA. History: , Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, City of Atlanta, U.S. Census Bureau, FORTUNE magazine. Government: State of Georgia, City of Atlanta. Taxes: Georgia Department of Revenue. Quality of Life: Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) Cost of Living Index. Education: Human Capital Research Corp., Georgia Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia. Business and Industry: FORTUNE magazine, Inc. magazine, Site Selection, Area Development, KPMG, Metro Atlanta Chamber. Transportation: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, , Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Ports Authority, MARTA. Attractions, Festivals, Sports and Recreation: Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau, Atlanta Sports Council, Atlanta-Journal Constitution. Healthcare: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BusinessWise.

As of December 2018.

www.metroatlantachamber.com +1.404.880.9000