View as Webpage

MIC Newsletter  October 2023

The 2nd Annual MIC Economic Development Summit

An Overwhelming Success!

Mableton Improvement Coalition’s 2023 Economic Development Summit was an overwhelming success attended by more than 150 people representing local businesses, higher education and community leaders.  Held on September 22, 2023 at the Riverside EpiCenter, the Summit featured four general sessions comprised of subject matter experts, business influencers and government leaders sharing advice and information on key strategic issues facing businesses today.  The Summit provided an opportunity for business owners and developers to interact with the City of Mableton’s Mayor Michael Owens and city council members and other Cobb County Agency officials.

Cobb County Chairwoman Lisa Cupid and District 4 Commissioner Monique Sheffield spoke to attendees about upcoming mobility plans and other development impacting the county and the City of Mableton.

The Summit featured the first ever Mableton Improvement Coalition’s Excellence Awards.  

Mableton Legacy: Former Gov. Roy Barnes

Business Impact: Ford Thigpen, Westside Bank

Business Impact: Dr. Chea Rainford, Vibrant Smiles Family and Cosmetic Dentistry

Business Impact: Tarryn Sampson, TS Tax & Accounting Services

Community Partner: First Christian Church of Mableton

Community Sponsorship: Cobb PARKS & Recreation

Economic Development Contribution: Cobb Works

Visionary for Entrepreneurship: Dr. Dana Giles, Pebblebrook High School

The morning sessions featuring representatives from the Atlanta Regional SBA office, ACE (Access to Capital for Entrepreneurs) and MIC focused on the importance of developing a successful business plan and the components required to foster success and future funding.

The afternoon panels consisting of Kaiser Permanente, Cobb County Chamber of Commerce and Essex Consulting discussed business building strategies focusing on strategic alliances and partnerships.  

Additional afternoon panelists featuring Westside Bank, SPAC Opportunity Partners and the Urban League spoke of various funding sources and requirements and means to access capitol. The importance of Incubators was discussed and the entrepreneurial program at Pebblebrook High School was featured.

View the photo gallery and additional highlights of the Summit on our website at https://www.mableton.org/economic-development-summit/

GOLF AND GAB

Pictured above are the inaugural members of the Golf and Gab mentorship program at Pebblebrook High School. The proud principal of Pebblebrook, Dr. Dana Giles or “Dr. G", as she is affectionally known, is always looking for ways to foster creative opportunities to support students and expose them to new experiences. When discussing the reasons for developing the mentorship program, Dr. G commented “I created Golf and Gab to give students a unique mentorship experience while learning something new.”

The Golf and Gab program started small with a select qualified group of students who are new to golf. A key component of the experience is the opportunity for students to discuss and learn “life lessons” in a coaching and inspiring environment. Dr. G worked with The Cobb Schools Foundation and Mableton Improvement Coalition to develop the program. Golf equipment was donated through partnership with Mableton Improvement Coalition and instructional time on the golf course was provided by Dogwood Golf Club in Austell.

This forum will be hosted jointly by the Austell Community Task Force (ACT) and the Mableton Improvement Coalition (MIC).

When you register submit your question and you can also indicate to whom your question is directed. All questions will be collected and asked by the moderators.

Deadline to Register is Noon on October 12th

🎓 Are you passionate about shaping the future and empowering the next generation? Join our Education Committee as a volunteer and make a lasting impact on our community's schools!

🌟 Education is the cornerstone of any thriving society, and supporting our schools is an investment in the future. As a volunteer with our Education Committee, you'll play a vital role in enhancing educational opportunities for students, fostering a brighter tomorrow for all. Together, we can create an environment where every child has access to quality education, resources, and mentorship they need to succeed. Join us and be a catalyst for positive change. Together, let's build a brighter future for our children, one where education is at the forefront of our collective commitment to a better tomorrow. Volunteer with our Education Committee and watch our stars shine!

Interested in making a difference? Fill out THIS form by October 6th or contact us at educaton@mableton.org to learn more. 

ZONING NEWS

Hearings Coming Up in October and November

October 3 - Planning Commission

• Z-35 - Suzanne Lemmond Brown, Barbara Lemmond Kilgore - change from commercial to residential zoning for a single family home at 1350 Oak Ridge Road, Austell - MIC recommends approval.
• Z-39 - Tunnels to Towers Foundations - convert the Wingate hotel to permanent housing for veterans at 65 South Service Road, Austell - MIC recommends approval with conditions - MIC recommends appoval with conditions.
• Z-42 - William and Lydia Tiku - for a self-storage facility on Blair Bridge Road, Austell - MIC recommends denial.
• LUP-23 - Alfredo Diaz - for permission to park 5 cars at this home - MIC recommends denial.

October 17 - Board of Commissioners

• applications from October 3 Planning Commission hearing
• OB-40 - Kerley Family Homes - for a new site plan for a townhome development approved in 2019 at 32 and 34 Cooper Lake Road, Mableton - MIC recommendation pending.
• OB-45 - Alan Baran - for a new site plan for a trucking terminal at 370 Six Flags Parkway - MIC recommendation pending.
• OB-47 - Garner Group - for sign variances and changes to the site plan for Heritage Hills shopping center on the East-West Connector - MIC recommendation pending.

November 5 - Planning Commission and November 19 - Board of Commissioners

• Z-43 - Suhel Kazani - for a convenience store at Cooper Lake and Veterans Memorial in Mableton - MIC recommends denial
• Z-46 - Morrison Building and Investment - for a professional office use at 259 Veterans Memorial Highway - MIC recommendation pending.
• Z-50 - CIVF VII - for warehouses on Cityview Road, Austell - MIC recommendation pending.

Applications Completed in September

• OB-39 - 7 Oaks Stables - for a larger storage building than planned at 300 Cooper Lake Road. MIC recommended approval with conditions. Approved by the BOC.
• LUP-18 Haley Lopez - for permission to park 4 cars at a home. MIC recommended approval. Approved by the BOC.

If you live in an area near one of these zoning applications, the MIC Zoning Committee wants to hear from you! We welcome new neighbors to Mableton, but we also want to do all we can to protect existing neighborhoods. Email us at zoning@mableton.org!

Hearing and Meeting Information - The Planning Commission hearings are the first Tuesday of each month and the Board of Commissioners Zoning Hearings are the third Tuesday of each month, except January. Both are at 9 am at 100 Cherokee Street just off Marietta Square. The Board of Zoning Appeals hearings begin at 1:30pm in the same location.

Comment Online - Use this easy form to let the Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners know your thoughts on pending applications.

Each month, District Commissioner Monique Sheffield and Planning Commissioner Michael Hughes hold a virtual "In The Zone" meeting to review pending zoning applications. Meetings are usually the 4th Wednesday of each month, but the holidays will affect that schedule. Sign up for Commissioner Sheffield's newsletter to receive the link and instructions.

There is more information related to zoning cases on MIC's website. Please email the MIC Zoning Committee with any questions.

National Faith & Blue Unity Walk

Calling on residents in the city of Mableton to come out for the National Faith & Blue UNITY WALK. Join friends, families, neighbors, and the Pebblebrook Marching Band on Saturday morning, Oct. 7. The Unity Walk is designed to build bridges for a more inclusive community that connects our law enforcement, faith leaders and community leaders. See details below on start times and meeting location for the parade route.

National Faith & Blue Weekend facilitates safer and stronger communities by engaging law enforcement officers and local residents through the connections of faith-based organizations.

Wellstar Cobb Doing Goodr in the Community!

Wellstar Health System is proud to announce that Goodr, a sustainable food waste management and hunger relief company, just unveiled Goodr Mobile Grocery Store. Wellstar is proud to sponsor this 26-foot truck stocked with grocery items, including fresh produce, milk, eggs, and shelf-stable items – all for free. The truck aims to bring Goodr's signature free grocery shopping experience to food-insecure communities.

Wellstar has been dedicated for the past 30 years to making Georgia a healthier place for everyone, and it is because of philanthropy that we are able to reinvest in the communities we serve. We appreciate the opportunity to partner with Goodr to offer these critical resources to more people through the Goodr Mobile Grocery Store, and we are excited to see how our organizations can continue to work together to further improve the health of our communities. Read more...

Wellstar will be holding its next mobile market opportunity on October 12, 2023 from 10 AM to 11:00 AM at the Austell Senior Center at 4915 Austell Powder Springs Road. If interested in serving, please reach out to Rebecca Jacobs – rebecca.jacobs@wellstar.org

Adopt A Mile

Make a difference where you live! Join MIC and other community groups on Saturday mornings for an hour or so and help pick up litter. It's not glamorous work, but our community will look so much better! All events begin at 9am.

Visit the MIC website calendar for meeting places and additional dates. Learn more about the Adopt A Mile program here.

Thank You to our sponsors who are committed to helping people, strengthening families, and building a more vital and vibrant Mableton. With the help of our sponsors, MIC continues to fulfill our mission to promote activities, enhance communication, and facilitate initiatives that will benefit the welfare of the Mableton community and its spirit. 

PREMIER SPONSORS

DELUXE SPONSORS



GENERAL SPONSORS

Welcome New General Sponsor!!!!!

Bellhop Go Juicy

Barnes Law Group, Bellhop, Cobb Travel & Tourism, DaLee and Company, Dogs We Trust, First Christian Church of Mableton, Georgia Power, Go Juicy, Harris Advisors Group, H.O.P.E Family Resource Center, JJA Project Management, John Thornton Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC, Keller Williams Cityside – Taiwo Oniru-Akintokun,  MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes, M3 Innovations dba Aquatree, Moore Diagnostic Laboratory, Printridge, Putnam Body Shop, Quick Tax Professionals, Readyset Atlanta, Refuge Law PLLC, Riverside EpiCenter, SOS Holdings, Sweetwater Mission, The Green Room Restaurant , The Pillar Church Mableton, The Real Estate Maven, TS Tax & Accounting Services, Vitality Village, Inc. White Columns Funeral Home, Wilson Agency/Farmers Insurance, Yeah Man Jamaican Restaurant, and Zaxby's.