Posted in Issues, PrioritiesPosted by Council for Quality GrowthPosted on

Atlanta Regional Commission Hosts Annual “State of the Region” Breakfast: Releases Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey Results, Development Awards Given and John. C Portman, Jr. Honored

state-of-the-regionOn Friday, October 28th, the Atlanta Regional Commission hosted over 1200 attendees at the annual “State of the Region” Breakfast, where former Council for Quality Growth Chairman (and current member of the Executive Committee) and current ARC Chairman Kerry Armstrong, masterfully emceed the morning’s events.   Themed “The Journey Continues” the breakfast highlighted the journey of the Metro Region, and the video is available HERE.

After a rousing speech by former Atlanta Mayor and Ambassador Andrew Young, Armstrong and ARC Executive Director Doug Hooker presented the Development of Excellence Awards. Council Member Halpern Enterprises won award for Exceptional Merit for Suburban Retrofit Development for their Smyrna mixed-use development Belmont, which can be seen HERE .

The 2016 Metro Atlanta Speak Survey results were released that provide a snapshot of the Region’s citizens’ opinions and priorities on a variety of subjects. View the full results HERE.  Per the ARC Survey, highlights include:

  • Transportation remains the region’s top concern for the third-straight year, with 25 percent of those surveyed saying it was the biggest problem facing the region.
  • More than 90 percent of respondents said public transit is important to the region’s future.
  • Nearly half of respondents said job opportunities in the region are “excellent” or “good” — up from about one in three in 2013.
  • 35 percent of those surveyed said life will be better in metro Atlanta in 3-4 years, up from 28 percent in 2013.
  • Half of respondents said they could pay for a $400 emergency right away, with cash, check or debit card. About 14 percent said would not be able to pay at all, while an additional 6 percent said they’d have to sell or pawn something.

Additionally, Council for Quality Growth Member and 2014 Four Pillar Honoree John C. Portman, Jr. won the first ARC Lifetime Achieve Award for his work and vision as an architect, developer and community leader.

The Council would like to commend the Atlanta Regional Commission, not only an outstanding event, but for their work and accomplishments on many issues, including transportation, water, planning and other pertinent Regional issues.