JANUARY 23, 2007

IN THIS ISSUE


Small Business Growth is Critical to Atlanta’s Economic Development

To support Mayor Shirley Franklin’s New Century Economic Development Plan goal to create 60,000 new jobs inside the city by 2009, the Atlanta Development Authority (ADA) will host a series of Small Business Loan seminars beginning on Wednesday, January 24 at 5:30 p.m. 

The first seminar will be held at the ADA headquarters, located at 86 Pryor Street, Suite 300, Atlanta, 30303. Additional seminars will be held the last Wednesday of each month and are free and open to the public.

The seminars will cover a variety of issues related to acquiring a small business loan. ADA, the City’s economic development agency, has over $2 million in funds for loans to support the growth and development of Atlanta entrepreneurs and small businesses.

In 2005, the City launched the aggressive New Century Economic Development (EDP) Plan. Among its goals are to add 12,000 jobs per year inside the city limits. In 2007, the ADA released the 2005 EDP results: in its first year, the City and its economic development partners added 1,800 new jobs within the city and 13,340 new airport-related jobs. To view the first-year results and 2007 strategy, visit http://www.atlantada.com/media/EDP-brochure-webpages.pdf. 

For more information about the Small Business Loan seminars, call 404.614.8295 or email cbrackett@atlantada.com. For more information about ADA, visit www.atlantada.com.

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City Embarks on Plan to Create Best-in-Class Greenspace System

This week, the City of Atlanta Bureau of Planning will host three (3) public forums to get resident input on developing a long-term plan for growing and managing a world-class Atlanta greenspace system.

As the BeltLine project continues its momentum, and more parks are created, it will become part of the City's larger greenspace system. The new Project Greenspace Initiative brings together communities, residents, civic organizations and businesses to develop a vision and framework for the new system.

The first public meeting will be held on: Tuesday, January 23 at 7:00 p.m. at Magnolia Hall at Piedmont Park. Additional public forums will be:

  • Wednesday, January 24
    Adamsville Recreation Center
    3201 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr.
    Atlanta, Georgia 30311
    404.505.3181

  • Thursday, January 25
    Rosel Fann Recreation Center
    365 Cleveland Avenue, S.E.
    Atlanta, Georgia 30354
    404.624.0772

For more information, visit here.


Atlanta Office of Planning is partnering with Piedmont Park Conservancy to host three public forums this week to discuss management of the city’s greenspace system.

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New Resident Kits Are Online at City Website

City of Atlanta departments have collaborated with its public-private partners to create a new resident information kit, which is now available online at www.atlantaga.gov.

The electronic resident kits contain information about each of the City of Atlanta’s 13 departments. The kits provide information about Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; City pools, parks and recreation programs; trash and yard trimming schedules; local events and attractions and City services and programs.

To download a copy of the new resident kit, visit here.


Mayor Shirley Franklin and the City of Atlanta welcome new residents with our new comprehensive resident kit, now online at AtlantaGa.Gov.

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Mayor, French Ambassador Discuss Global Business Development and Arts

Mayor Shirley Franklin recently met with the French Ambassador to the United States to discuss possible global partnerships, particularly in international business development and cultural arts.

His Excellency Jean-David Levitte met with Mayor Franklin; Claire McLeveighn, City Director of International Affairs; and Camille Love, Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs. Now more than ever, expanding global business development has become a key mission of the French Embassy, and Atlanta is one of the cities on Levitte’s radar.

“The word is spreading about Atlanta in the foreign community. The city has very attractive assets; it is a trigger for business development because it is the home base for several Fortune 500 companies,” Levitte said. There are currently 80 French-based companies with locations in Atlanta.

Levitte also praised the city’s cultural appetite. Last year, Atlanta’s High Museum embarked on a three-year partnership with France’s iconic Louvre Museum to display some of its world-renowned treasures. 

Love and Levitte are in talks to host a community event in Atlanta in the near future. Said Love: “The Office of Cultural Affairs is exploring ways to expose Atlanta residents and visitors to exceptional cultural experiences and is considering the creative offerings of French street theatre, which have not been presented in Atlanta.”


Mayor Shirley Franklin and French Ambassador to the U.S., Jean-David Levitte, discuss global partnerships in business development and the arts.

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Video on Demand:
Delta Announces Developments for Non-Stop Flights from Atlanta to China

Mayor Shirley Franklin recently joined Delta Airlines and the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce to announce the latest developments for nonstop flights from Atlanta to China. The new developments mark another step for Atlanta as a renowned international city. Click here to go to Video on Demand (VOD) webpage where you can watch the news conference.

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Rave Reviews!

  • The Atlanta Development Authority, the economic development agency for the City of Atlanta, recently announced that Charles Whatley has been promoted to Director of Commerce and Entrepreneurship. Whatley will work with existing small businesses located within the city to help them retain jobs and grow their business. He will also focus on incentive programs that support business recruitment and headquarter relocations to bring in new jobs. His goals will focus on helping the City achieve its goal of adding 60,000 jobs by 2009.


Charles Whatley is named Atlanta Development Authority’s director of commerce and entrepreneurship.

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Upcoming Events & Volunteer Opportunities

  • Every Tuesday from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m., the Atlanta Workforce Development Agency (AWDA) hosts a job fair at its headquarters located at 818 Pollard Blvd., Atlanta, 30315. The sign-in desk for the job fair closes promptly at 11 a.m., so arrive early; some companies will interview applicants until noon. All job candidates are asked to dress in business attire and bring multiple resume copies. For more information, visit www.atlantaworkforce.org.

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Job Announcements

With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to your account.

After your account has been established, you can create an application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current open positions, click here.

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Weekly Features

Email us at citynewsbytes@atlantaga.gov to provide your feedback about this newsletter or to nominate someone you know for Stakeholder Spotlight.

Click here to sign-up and receive City Newsbytes directly to your email box.

Important Numbers

Mayor's Office
404-330-6100

Mayor's Office of Constituent Services
404-330-6023

Mayor's Office of Communications
404-330-6004

Mayor's Office of Weed and Seed
404-330-6086

City Council
404-330-6030


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For more information about the services and programs of the City of Atlanta, watch City Channel 26 or visit us online at www.atlantaga.gov.