Atlanta Development Authority Rebrands as Invest Atlanta

January 19,2012

Responding to changing economic dynamics and untapped business opportunities, the City of Atlanta today launched “Invest Atlanta,” a modernized version of the city’s economic development agency formerly known as the Atlanta Development Authority, Mayor Kasim Reed said.

Mayor Reed unveiled Invest Atlanta during his annual State of the City business breakfast address before more than 900 business and community leaders at the Georgia World Congress Center. During his speech, Reed stressed the necessity for a focus on economic development and job creation through 2012.

“I have made economic development one of my Administration’s top priorities, and this change represents an effort to modernize our approach to economic growth,” said Mayor Reed, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Invest Atlanta. “We must get our economy moving again because our unemployment level is too high and families are hurting. Focusing on business creation, attraction, retention and expansion not only creates jobs but also brings in new tax revenues for the city.”

Invest Atlanta, led by President and CEO Brian McGowan, will focus on making the city a job growth engine again and creating an environment to attract, create and retain jobs. Invest Atlanta will continue to help residents purchase homes, issue bonds and incentives for new development and provide small business loans but will place a strong focus on attracting new investment, international trade and innovation and entrepreneurship.

Read the full article on Mayor Reed's website, www.kasimreed.com.