The Dwarf House
Time to Grow
By Bill Baldowski
In his book, “The Little Black Book of Economic Development,” author Don Allen Holbrook said local leadership remains the key element to such progress within their communities.
MARTA station.
“World class communities come in all shapes and sizes,” he said. “They are not determined by geography or natural resources so much as by the mindset of local leadership.”
East Point Economic Development Director Maceo Rogers said the reason that economic development is so important is that it re-enforces the quality of living by creating jobs and investments in that community, “which enhances the community’s tax base and allows a community to develop sidewalks, parks, lighting, water and sewer improvements plus other amenities.”
Municipalities within the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport area are continuing to lead the way in their communities’ quest for economic development with such projects as single-family residential homes, large scale apartment complexes and small and large business expansion. In College Park, Economic Development Program Manager Tasha Hall-Garrison said economic development allows what she described as a liaison between the city and businesses or corporations, a liasion which will help the city grow. The city’s Six West development continues to be the main project as it has sold out its first and second phases, Hall-Garrison said. In addition, the city and the project developer are working to complete the infrastructure for entrance to Six West. College Park First United Methodist Church, in partnership with the city and the Industrial Development Authority, is redeveloping its property to create “Diamond at College Park,” a project which will include art studios and art spaces as well as owneroccupied housing located behind the College Park
In addition, College Park, through an EPA Brownfield grant, is acquiring property at the head waters of the Flint River to develop as a nature preserve.
East Point is working on a $7 million investment, scheduled for completion this fall-a Home Depot fulfillment center in the Camp Creek business center that will create 348 jobs, Rogers said.
925 Virginia Ave/Hapeville
dition, the city is also working to bring a 250,000 square foot Microsoft data center into the Camp Creek Market Place off Ben Hill Road. This would not only be good for the city’s economy as East
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