ECONOMY OVERVIEW
Atlanta 2019 An in-depth review of the key issues facing Atlanta’s economy featuring the exclusive insights of prominent industry leaders
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Clayton County: With the world’s busiest airport in its backyard, Clayton County is bursting with untapped potential. Its film, healthcare and infrastructure industries are experiencing unprecedented growth, and its committed leaders are working with the Aerotropolis Atlanta to attract investment and new development county-wide. Aordable housing options and convenient access to MARTA are also enticing new residents and businesses alike to its diverse communities.
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CLAYTON COUNTY OVERVIEW
Connected community: Clayton County is home to the world’s busiest airport, but it is also home to a diverse population, growing industries and committed leadership If there is one thing Clayton County is known for, it is its strategic geographic location. Clayton is home to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport — the busiest airport in the world — and is only 15 minutes from Downtown Atlanta. It is the most connected county in Georgia with unparalleled access to the global marketplace and direct rail access to Port Savannah, the fastest-growing container port in the U.S. It is no wonder it is nicknamed the “Heart of ATL’s Southern Crescent.” Various recently completed projects have served as a beacon for renewed interest in the area from the global business community. These include the opening of the $1.2 billion Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal and Porsche’s North American headquarters. Aerotropolis Atlanta is also seeing investment in the South Metro area, with BMW’s training facility in College Park, $500,000 spent on beautifying 22 miles of roads and interchanges and millions planned to redesign Camp Creek Parkway. Deep roots Clayton County — the 125th county formed in Georgia — originated out of Henry and Fayette counties in 1858 and
was named after Judge Augustin Clayton, who served in the Georgia General Assembly. Jonesboro (originally Leaksville) was founded in 1823 as an important stop on the Macon-Terminus (Atlanta) Railroad, connecting the Southeast to the Port of Savannah. The area was originally home to Creek Indians. Many important historical events have taken place in Clayton County over the years. Specifically, many Civil War battles were fought here, which inspired the setting for the fictional plantation Tara in Gone with the Wind. For the most part, the county was largely quiet and agricultural for 75 years before its transformation into the thriving, progressive urban area it is today. Booming business Clayton County is the fifth most populous but the third smallest county in the state — and its aggressive incentive structure for new and existing businesses continues to attract residents and businesses alike. Many new projects are in the works in the area, including Clorox’s $42 million investment in the Clayton County community, which will bring 85 jobs. ( )
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CLAYTON COUNTY INTERVIEW
Much to offer How Clayton County is poised and ready to expand business, increase film production, improve safety and capitalize on its strategic location for a vibrant future
Jeff Turner Chairman BOC – Clayton County movies and TV shows being filmed here. Not only does the film industry have a great impact on the county receiving revenue from the location sites, but also the ancillary businesses associated with the film industry reap benefits. Clayton County is ranked as a Tier 1 county in the state of Georgia, bringing state incentives for people to move here. With the film industry booming, I see an increase of new businesses moving to Clayton County.
What incentives does the county offer to attract new businesses and bring more jobs here? We are open for business and are looking for quality businesses to move here to Clayton County. We have to stop doing what we’ve done in the past and start trying to attract high end-paying jobs and quality businesses. When you have Hartsfield-Jackson Airport in your county, there should be no reason not to have more quality headquarters and businesses from around the world. We are looking forward to arranging a meeting with Mayor Bottoms and her administration to gain their support and discuss ways to collect revenue for the airport. What impact, both cultural and economic, is the growing local film industry having on Clayton County? With a 76 percent increase in film productions in 2017, Clayton County continues to have an abundance of 82 | Focus: Atlanta 2019 | CLAYTON COUNTY
How have Clayton County’s partnerships helped to foster a safe and vibrant community? When I came into office, my primary goal was to make sure that we bridge the gap between the cities and law enforcement. When an officer calls for help or needs assistance, law enforcement agencies are going to be there for one another as elected officials. We need to make sure we properly fund our public safety officials so they will be successful in the field. Due to the current violence against America’s police force, a lot of people don’t want to be law enforcement officers anymore. I find that fact sad because it is a noble profession. Everybody wants to talk poorly about police until you need them, and then when you need them, they’re the best thing since sliced bread. What does the future of Clayton County look like in 2018 and beyond? Clayton County is a growing county. I’m encouraged about our future. Mountain View and other surrounding areas, such as Fort Gillem and the City of Forest Park, have an abundance of buildable land with great locations. Clayton County itself is strategically located on the southside of Atlanta, which houses the world’s busiest airport. We have a lot to offer as a county and will continue to grow.
CLAYTON COUNTY OVERVIEW
( ) The Clayton Commerce Center, on Anvil Block Road, will also bring hundreds of jobs and a $38 million investment. Low Temp Industries, a company that has been anchored in Clayton County for 65 years, has started construction on a $14.5 million facility in Jonesboro, and Cummins Power South has begun construction on a $10 million facility, which will create 80 new jobs. A total of 53 existing companies plan to hire an additional 545 employees over the next 12 months and are collectively investing $26 million in Clayton County. The Economic Development OďŹƒce assisted 557 businesses in 2017, via phone, walk-in or e-mail. Overall, Clayton’s labor force has returned to its pre-recession levels; in 2017, it saw an increase from 131,000 to 134,260. The current county unemployment rate of 5.4 percent is near pre-recession levels as well. This number is expected to decline even further as Hartsfield-Jackson undergoes a $6 billion expansion and Aerotropolis Atlanta continues to work on projects around the airport area. Clayton County has a number of strategies to attract and retain businesses in the county. First, the county has a designated Opportunity Zone located east of Hartsfield-Jackson, which provides
aggressive tax credits in order to spur additional investment. The county also provides special tax considerations through taxable bond-issued financing for qualified operations through the Development Authority of Clayton County. Home to the Atlanta Tradeport Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), Clayton houses a federally designated site created to help businesses remain competitive in a global marketplace via lower duties, reduced processing fees and quicker movement of goods from the port. Building on this, Clayton County has 100 percent freeport exemption, meaning the county exempts tangible personal property, including inventory of goods in the process of being manufactured or produced, finished goods manufactured or produced within Georgia and finished goods destined for shipment outside of Georgia. Clayton County is also designated as a Tier 1 County, which incentivizes businesses with a $3,500-per-job tax credit for five years.
A total of 53 existing companies in Clayton County plan to hire an additional 545 employees over the next 12 months.
Residential uptick Residential home prices in Clayton County are on the rise. The average selling price of a new home was more than $180,000 in 2017, compared to just over $81,000
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CLAYTON COUNTY OVERVIEW
Frenda Turner Executive Director – Clayton County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Tourism is big business in Clayton County. Last year, direct spending by visitors reached an all-time high of $1.442 billion. Clayton County ranks number four in economic impact in the state of Georgia’s tourism industry due in part to being the Official Home of Gone With the Wind and the Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. As the Metro Atlanta area continues to grow and attract major conventions, sporting events and international visitors, we make sure that we’re prepared to welcome guests from all over the world into our hotels and attractions.
five years ago. While this still trails behind Metro Atlanta’s average home price of more than $324,000, it demonstrates significant added value over the past five years. What is motivating people to move to Clayton County? For one thing, its central geographic location makes it easier for residents to avoid gridlock on Metro Atlanta highways, especially considering the county’s access to MARTA. Proximity to the airport is also key. Nevertheless, the main thing attracting new residents is affordability. The median listing price per square foot in Clayton County is $77, compared to the Atlanta Metro average of $123 per square foot. However, just because prices remain reasonable does not mean home values are not increasing in the area. In fact, as of May 2018 the median home value in Clayton County was $98,300, a 22 percent increase over the past year. Clayton County has one of the highest percentages of renters in the Metro Atlanta area, at 42 percent. This could be explained by the low median rent price of $995 in the area, compared to the Metro Atlanta average of $1,490. However, this 42 percent rental rate is a significant reduction from the 60 percent rental rate in the county during the 2008 recession. Clayton is taking advantage of this real estate uptick. The county is changing its zoning laws to encourage developers to build homes in the range of $230,000 and up to offer a more diverse housing inventory. It is also collaborating with the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, a partnership focused on promoting investment and economic development in the surrounding area of Hartsfield-Jackson (including parts of Clayton County), to provide bus tours of the county in an effort to show developers and real estate agents opportunities to develop land and attract new residents.
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Water and trails Clayton County residents and businesses take pride in their award-winning Clayton County Water Authority (CCWA), whose mission is to provide quality water and services to the community. Recognized throughout the world for its sustainable practices, Clayton was named one of the “Top Water Wise Communities” in the U.S. and a “Utility of the Future Today” by industry peers. CCWA reuses 80 percent of all the wastewater it collects using both natural systems like its 500 acres of treatment wetland and advanced treatment systems such as ultraviolet light for disinfection. The CCWA uses constructed wetlands for indirect potable reuse, treating more than 20 million gallons per day. Together, the wetlands and the existing reuse program have reduced Clayton County’s dependence on water supplied by surrounding watersheds. The CCWA continues to grow its Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) Program, which certifies small businesses within Clayton County and 10 surrounding counties to do business with the company. The program hosts several networking events and informational workshops throughout the year to assist in supporting small business and increasing program awareness. Another notable infrastructure project is the recent completion of Phase 2 of the International Park/Lake Spivey Golf Club area Clayton Connects trail, adding a mile to the growing trail network in central Clayton County. The Clayton Connects master plan proposes more than 120 miles of new paths and trails and also calls for beautification and rebranding of the Jester’s Creek Trail built in the 1990s. Construction on Phase 3 of the plan began in February 2018, and Phase 4 is in the design stages.
CLAYTON COUNTY OVERVIEW
Modern transit Clayton County is unbelievably connected. With an unprecedented 15 interstate exits on four major U.S. highways, Clayton provides access to more than 80 percent of the U.S. population within a two-day drive. Direct rail and road access to the Ports of Savannah and Brunswick support eďŹƒcient movement of goods and services within the county as well. The county continues to spearhead transportation initiatives that will directly contribute to the overall livability and quality of life within the area. Specifically, the county is currently working on the Clayton County High Capacity Transit Initiative, which will explore different transit alignment and technology options to improve Clayton County’s transportation mobility, accessibility and connectivity in the Atlanta region. It will also provide greater access to jobs, congestion relief, environmental benefits and economic development within the county. Since the addition of two new bus routes in early 2016, MARTA ridership has increased by 17 percent in Clayton County. MARTA has begun identifying
goals and objectives for the Clayton County High Capacity Transit Initiative study based on data collection, technical analysis and public input. This process will define and evaluate a range of potential transit alternatives to best meet the needs of Clayton County. A preferred transit alternative will be identified to conduct an environmental assessment and more detailed technical analysis to prepare the project for future phases of implementation. The High Capacity Transit Initiative study is scheduled for completion in the fall of 2018. Healthy community Clayton County has a diverse healthcare industry, from pharmaceuticals and medical devices to laboratories and health information technology enterprises. The county has a 1:31 primary care clinician to patient ratio. The largest employer in the Clayton healthcare sector is the Southern Regional Health System, with approximately 1,850 employees, physicians and specialists. SanofiAventis, a global healthcare leader that discovers, develops and distributes therapeutic solutions, operates a main facility in the county as well.
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CLAYTON COUNTY OVERVIEW
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BANKING & FINANCE OVERVIEW
Home to Clayton State University’s well-known life sciences curriculum, the county has established itself as an important part of the emerging bioscience sector. Clayton County already has several major companies doing business in this important sector, covering areas from distribution to repackaging to testing. The Clayton County Board of Health continues to address the community’s needs through its own localized special healthcare initiatives, such as the Healthier Generations Project (HGP), Safe Kids Clayton County (SKCC) and the Community Registry of Emergency Donations (CoRED). The Board of Health offers comprehensive health services, health education and outreach programs in order to improve the overall health and safety of the community through promotion, prevention and protection. Workforce development Clayton County’s education sector is made up of three main entities: the Clayton County Public School System, Clayton State University and Atlanta Technical College. These three organizations play a significant role in the Clayton economy due to the impact they have on the future of the local workforce. “Continued workforce development is necessary,” Jeremy Stratton, CEO of the Clayton County Chamber of Commerce, told Focus:. “We are always working on this, but the development of a cohesive and coherent workforce development strategy will be a game changer for Clayton County.” Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) is fully accredited by the AdvancED/SACS-CASI organization. The district is made up of 66 schools with a total of more than 55,000 students. With nearly 6,800 employees, it is the county’s second-largest employer. Establishing a district-wide theme of Committed to High Performance, CCPS is providing opportunities for its students to be prepared to live and succeed in a global, technologybased economy through a STEM approach. Evidence of this approach can be found in Rex Mill Middle School, the district’s first STEM-themed school, which was only the second middle school STEM program certified by the state; Brown Elementary School, which became the first elementary in CCPS to achieve AdvancED STEM Certification; the creation of four elementary dual language immersion programs to be implemented over the next three years; expansion of School Choice Programs, Advanced Placement Classes, Advanced Placement opportunities and Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) Programs/Pathways; and the implementation
Joy Day Mayor City of Jonesboro
What is your vision for the long-term growth and redevelopment of Jonesboro? We are renewing our downtown to help our existing businesses flourish. We have many businesses in our city that have been here for a long time, and we owe them that allegiance. We strive to attract new businesses that our citizens and visitors will frequent and enjoy. In 2017, we had visitors from 62 countries. We try to provide a meeting place for them and our residents to relax as tourists or between work hours. We have a large population during the day, so we want to provide an enjoyable and accessible place for them. What makes the City of Jonesboro so unique compared to the other cities around Atlanta? We still have a small-town flavor. We are very big on individual attention to our business owners and to our citizens. It’s like living in a small town, but you’re in the metro area and close to the airport. Our population is small; although 70,000 people have our zip code, the city itself is very small. I believe people want to come into an area where they can walk their dogs and have access to sidewalks. Jonesboro’s crime rate is very low, and our city is clean. Our citizens are focused on maintaining that. They want to maintain the flavor of the city while we work on progressing. What challenges does Jonesboro face in 2019? We struggle with getting developers to recognize that Jonesboro is full of opportunity, poised and ready for new development. We have a hard time fighting our reputation of high crime rates. There are over 80,000 people who bear the Jonesboro address, but only 4,700 residents live in the City of Jonesboro. I don’t believe the crime is due to city residents but to the transient population. Through our Comprehensive Plan, we work daily to spread the word that Jonesboro is a city people want to call home.
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CLAYTON COUNTY OVERVIEW
of an International Baccalaureate Program and establishment of the first Cambridge Assessment International Program in Georgia. Elite Scholars Academy (grades 6-8) and Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts (grades 9-12) were recognized as top schools in Georgia by the U.S. News and World Report. With 6,900 students, Clayton State University is the region’s largest higher education institution. The five colleges and schools within Clayton State offer eight master’s degrees and 40 baccalaureate degrees, including an MBA. Metro Atlanta has the nation’s fifth-largest concentration of supply chain companies. In order to meet this local workforce demand, CSU strategically created its new supply chain management program, along with a supply chain management center that supports research and training for people wanting to enhance their company’s logistics and supply chain networks. Atlanta Technical College conveniently provides the workforce with useful career skills that focus on targeted local industries in order to boost the regional economy. Atlanta Tech’s Division of Economic Development partners with specific employers within Clayton County in order to best address the community’s labor force demand. To continue to feed the Clayton economy and further this pattern of growth within the education sector, the community needs more investments to groom a workforce that matches what local businesses want, especially targeting skills in the technology, construction and medical fields.
elementary level on. Arts Clayton Inc. strives to address opportunities and challenges within the Clayton community by educating youth. The organization, founded in 1986, supports arts education for students in their schools at all levels, provides venues and exhibit opportunities for Georgia artists and promotes the arts in community development as a means of strengthening economic vitality and improving the quality of life for families who live, work and study there. Many cultural events are held throughout the county. The Clayton County Schools Performing Arts Center, an advanced facility seating 1,800, hosts professional, community and student productions in music, dance and drama. Additionally, the internationally renowned Spivey Hall is located on the campus of Clayton State University and is known as the best music performance facility in the Southeast due to its amazing acoustics and exceptional programming. The 400-seat recital hall attracts some of the world’s finest performers and hosts a yearround schedule of classical, world and jazz instrumental and vocal performances. Additionally, Clayton County is home to the Road to Tara Museum, the National Archives for the Southeast Region and the International Park.
Georgia has the second-largest film industry in the U.S., and Clayton County has contributed a large part to its growth.
Cultural center Georgia has the second-largest film industry in the United States, and Clayton County has contributed a large part to its growth. The film industry is one of Clayton’s most successful and economically impactful industries. In 2017, film productions in the county increased by 60 percent compared to the previous year, rising from 30 to 55 productions. The area is used as inspiration and location for many TV shows and films. In fact, big-name movies such as “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” “Flight,” “Baby Driver” and “Furious 7” were all filmed in Clayton County. Arts and culture are major industries in Clayton County and are a community-wide focus from the
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City spotlight College Park College Park is a thriving and affordable urban destination steps away from the world-class Hartsfield-Jackson airport and Atlanta’s bustling Downtown. Peppered with historic Colonial brick homes, colorful Craftsman bungalows and brightly muraled storefronts, this transitconnected neighborhood offers all the amenities of a big city with a friendly, small-town vibe. In 2017, German automaker BMW launched a Training Technical Center in College Park, set to open in the fall of 2018, and plans are in the works for the Atlanta Hawks’ to operate their G-league team out of a new facility in the city. The 100,000-square-foot sports and entertainment arena, dubbed Gateway Center@ College Park, broke ground in February 2018 and is expected to be a major economic driver for the area, hosting a variety of shows and G-league games. Some community leaders are calling it a “game changer” for the South Metro area.
CLAYTON COUNTY OVERVIEW
Jonesboro Jonesboro is in the process of revitalizing its older downtown area in the hopes of turning it into an attractive tourist destination. The city took the first step in January 2018, when it bulldozed several decrepit buildings on Broad Street. Over the course of the next few years, Jonesboro plans to remove additional older, vacant and non-historic buildings near the main street area and replace them with greenspace, restaurants and trendy shops. All of this is part of a long-term growth strategy dubbed Blueprint Jonesboro. With the recent designation of the downtown area as a Rural Zone, the city has yet another tool to incentivize development and revitalization. This designation makes businesses and investors who are creating new jobs, investing in properties and rehabilitating existing structures in Jonesboro eligible for tax credits. The Rural Act was adopted by the Georgia legislature in 2017 and went into effect on January 1, 2018. Jonesboro is the first of nine communities to date to receive the Rural Zone designation. Forest Park Located just nine miles south of Downtown Atlanta and five miles from the busy Hartsfield-Jackson airport, Forest Park’s accessible location has contributed to it becoming one of the largest cities in Clayton County. This diverse city is also home to Fort Gillem Military Reservation, which was acquired in 2012 for $30 million and encompasses 1,465 acres in the northern part of the city. Over the years, Forest Park has struggled with a negative image and is currently working to rebrand itself in order to attract a younger demographic. As part of this rebranding effort, the city has implemented the PEERS platform to make it more desirable to businesses.
Lovejoy Lovejoy is one of the fastest-growing cities in Clayton County. Located just 10 minutes from the Atlanta Motor Speedway and 30 minutes from Downtown Atlanta, its residents enjoy the benefits of a small rural community and accessibility to world-class urban amenities. As part of the city’s unique charm, the mayor and city council created the Lovejoy City Garden, a 14-acre community garden where fresh vegetables are grown and then sold in the Community Store. All residents of the city are eligible to register for an ID card with up to $29 worth of free vegetables a month. The city is also working to attract more big businesses and housing developments for its residents. Recently, the Lovejoy City Council signed off on plans for two 400-house, high-end gated communities, and the city hopes to add a couple thousand more homes by 2020 to support its growing population. Riverdale Riverdale is a diverse and dynamic suburban community located in the “Southern Crescent” of Clayton County, about 10 miles south of Atlanta and 5 miles south of Hartsfield-Jackson. “People are moving to our city,” Mayor Evelyn Wynn-Dixon told Focus:. “We are beginning to see some builders’ growth, too.” Boosting this economic development is the city’s partnerships with companies like Georgia Power and with the chambers of commerce in neighboring cities. Mayor Wynn-Dixon and other leaders are working tirelessly to change negative perceptions of the area and attract more millennials and families. The city is part of the beautification of America program and is also looking into incorporating a walking trail to improve connectivity.
Angelyne Butler Mayor – City of Forest Park
My number one priority is to keep the money in Forest Park. Too often, individuals come to Forest Park to work, only to deposit their paychecks in another city. Likewise, if our residents work outside the city, then they need to know that reliable transportation is an option for them. One way to ensure this is to increase public transportation in and out of Forest Park. As a result, I am in constant dialogue with various transitoriented companies. Each company has a unique footprint that will not only ease the transportation needs of the residents of Forest Park but will also give us another opportunity to keep resources in Forest Park.
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Bobby Cartwright Mayor City of Lovejoy
How does the City of Lovejoy handle its growing population? We are one of the fastest-growing cities in Clayton County. The Lovejoy area’s projected growth in the next two years is over 10 percent. We consider ourselves to be the “last Mayberry.” We are a rural area, but we are heavily populated. We are currently working with retail strategists who administered a study to produce data and statistics for what we need as a city and how we can grow. We have succeeded in creating a safe atmosphere; now our focus lies on what businesses we need to bring into Lovejoy. We traditionally have a lot of the mom-and-pop shops, so we’re looking to accommodate the growing population with places like Starbucks and Harbor Freight. The city council signed off on preliminary plans for two high-end gated communities with 400 houses. Over the next three years, we intend to add a couple thousand more houses for our growing population. How have the city’s amenities and programs helped to make Lovejoy unique? The city provides 19 annual free events, including block parties, trunk-or-treats, citywide Christmas parties and many children-friendly activities. We also have built multiple parks to host free movie screenings. We like to offer these free events to unite the city and keep the children busy and active. Our Elevate Lovejoy program offers mentoring programs to our middle and high school students. We partner with the House of Dawn in Jonesboro, which helps homeless teenage mothers. We were excited to welcome Gigi’s House last year. Gigi’s House helps young women who are victims of sex trafficking. Our Community Center offers programs for all ages. We are extremely proud of the programs we’ve created and the partnerships we’ve established. We find they set us apart from any other city and create a family atmosphere that makes Lovejoy a great place to call home.
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Challenges Despite the myriad opportunities in Clayton County, the region does face some challenges but has worked to respond. In 2008, CCPS lost its accreditation. The district regained its accreditation in 2009 and has remained fully accredited ever since. The current graduation rate for CCPS is 71.7 percent. This is the first time since 2011 that the district-wide graduation rate has topped 70 percent; the first time that all 11 regular or non-alternative high schools are reporting graduation rates in excess of 70 percent; and the first time seven of 11 regular or non-alternative high schools reflect a graduation rate over 80 percent. The county, through the special purpose local option sales tax (SPLOST), has been deeply investing in its educational system by building new schools and by expanding and incorporating technology into learning. The district has aggressively addressed the need for high-quality instruction by hiring qualified teachers and increasing accountability among staff and students. Bright future Clayton County’s economy is strong, and continued growth and diversification are expected. The government is hard at work on a strategic plan to prepare the region to adapt to the biggest challenges facing the community. Attracting new business is the main focus of county leaders as they move forward with this agenda. But attracting high-paying jobs will not benefit the county unless the residents have the skillset to fill them. For that reason, educating the workforce with innovative baccalaureate and technical programs is at the forefront of the county’s agenda. In the meantime, Clayton County’s industries continue to benefit from significant growth and development, especially in the film, healthcare and infrastructure sectors. With its excellent geographic location, diverse population, committed leadership and the world’s busiest airport in its backyard, Clayton County is poised for a very bright future, indeed. Capital Analytics would like to thank Clayton County for its contribution in compiling this chapter. To learn more, visit their website: www. claytoncountyga.gov.