Economic Development News: First Quarter 2020 Edition

Sandy Springs Welcomes New City Manager
Andrea Surratt, most recently the City Manager for Bozeman, Montana, has been chosen to fill the Manager’s role for the City of Sandy Springs and begins her new position on January 6, 2020.

Surratt’s municipal experience spans more than 28 years. A native of North Carolina, Surratt served as Planning and Development Manager for the City of Wilmington and Town Manager for Wrightsville Beach. Surratt was Assistant City Manager for the City of Hickory, N.C. for ten years, also serving as Interim City Manager before her selection as City Manager for Bozeman.

In her role with the City of Bozeman, Surratt oversaw a $118.8 million annual budget and staff of 427 employees. This past year under Surratt’s leadership, Bozeman completed its Strategic Plan Implementation, including programs for Affordable Housing, a Public Safety Center, Community Outreach Plan, and Land Use and Planning Initiatives.
Join Us At The North Fulton Transformation Bisnow Event
Tuesday, February 11, 2020
What You’ll Learn:
  1. Will millennials continue to flock to hipsturbia's and 18 hour suburban cities?
  2. What new projects and re-developments are coming online in North Fulton to create a more walkable, live-work-play community?
  3. Where are capital and private investment coming from that is transforming the area?
  4. How will GDOT plans impact North Fulton and its accessibility?
  5. What new companies are setting up shop and what is being done to accommodate them?

Register here .
Sandy Springs “Innovation in Action”
Speaker Series Continues
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
The Innovation in Action Speaker Series is a collaboration between the Georgia Center of Innovation, Sandy Springs Economic Development, and Sandy Springs Innovation Center to bring together industry leaders to share their stories and programs to bring innovation into their business, whether startup entrepreneurs or Fortune 500 corporations. Join us for the first Innovation in Action event of 2020 on Wednesday, February 19th at City Springs. During the event you will get practical, actionable ideas to bring innovation to your company and learn more about how the Sandy Springs Innovation Center and Centers of Innovation can support your efforts. Lunch will be provided. Register here . 
Business License Renewals
Business Occupational Tax Certificates (business licenses) must be renewed annually, with all business licenses expiring December 31 of each calendar year. As a courtesy, the City offers a 90-day grace period to submit your renewal materials. Businesses failing to have a renewed business license after March 31st are subject to a one-time, 10% penalty fee. You can find more information on the Business Regulations and Licensing page on the City's website .
Business RadioX ® Now “On Air”
At The Sandy Springs Innovation Center
The Business RadioX ® Network brings their flagship studio to the Sandy Springs Innovation Center. A station dedicated to helping local business leaders get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession, Business RadioX ® supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories. To share your story on air, contact Stone Payton .
SCORE Provides Free Business Mentoring
in Sandy Springs
The City of Sandy Springs has partnered with the North Metro Atlanta chapter of SCORE to provide free one-on-one mentoring to established and aspiring business owners, professionals, and entrepreneurs. The North Metro Atlanta chapter covers all of Cobb, Gwinnett, North Fulton, and Forsyth counties. In addition to mentoring services, SCORE (Service Corp of Retired Executives) also provides workshops and webinars on a variety of relevant topics. For more information, or to find a mentor, visit the SCORE website .
TSW Selected to Conceptualize
Redevelopment of the North End
The Sandy Springs City Council approved a contract with TSW to develop a total of 12 conceptual master plans for four shopping centers in the north end of the City (three per site). The project is part of the City’s efforts to create a vision and strategy for revitalizing that area.T he four shopping centers included in the conceptualization include:
  • 8610 Roswell Road (former Loehmann’s Plaza)
  • 8331-8371 Roswell Road (Northridge Shopping Center)
  • 8765-8897 Roswell Road (North River Shopping Center)
  • 7300 Roswell Road (former Big Lots Center)

The project also requires a Public Involvement Plan incorporating traditional and innovative public involvement techniques to inform and
take in feedback from the community. Specifically, at least two citywide public meetings are required and at least one meeting held at each of the properties to obtain public input about that area.

For each site, the first plan must follow existing building code and zoning policies; the second plan can test the code requirements and potentially require minor adjustments to the code, and the third plan can explore all options for redevelopment. The firm was asked to consider how to add additional households within the district, and an economic analysis based on market conditions must be included for each plan.  

For questions or comments regarding the project, contact Caroline Davis .
Transform 285/400 
Roadway construction crews have started laying pipe adjacent to and across Mount Vernon Highway to prepare to switch traffic from the existing Mount Vernon Highway to the new Mount Vernon Highway Bridge. Expect daytime and evening closures.
Meet The Economic Development Team
We want to meet you! We want to hear about your business successes and offer our support through sharing details about programs and opportunities that could add value for your business and employees.
To set up a meeting with the team email Caroline Davis or call (770) 206-1571.
Andrea Worthy,
Economic Development Director
Caroline Davis,
Economic Development Specialist
This newsletter is prepared by the City of Sandy Springs. You can learn more about the City on our website at  sandyspringsga.gov. You can also telephone our Call Center 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 770-730-5600.