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NOVEMBER 2025
Dear Valued Stakeholders,
In this time of thanks, I extend my sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff and fellow board members of Develop Fulton, whose passion drives our mission every day. Our success is built upon true partnership, both here and around the globe. We value the collaboration across our 15 dynamic municipalities that comprise Fulton County. Our alignment is the foundation of our shared mission to stimulate quality economic development.
Develop Fulton is strengthening its position as a global economic hub. This year we reinforced critical international relationships across Asia—including key conversations in Korea and Japan—and in Central Europe, notably with the Czech Republic. Here at home, I am proud to share that because of the specialized knowledge and proven experience of our staff, the development authority leads the state in securing Regional Economic Business Assistance (REBA) grants.
As we look forward, we also must chart our progress. I invite everyone to review our comprehensive 2024 Activity Report. This document is not merely a record; it is a vital benchmark of the milestones we achieved together, the economic impact we delivered for our stakeholders, and the strategic blueprint guiding our continued growth.
Follow us as market shapers in regional development and WATCH the first in a video series. We are thankful for you, and we look forward to another year of exceptional collaboration.
Partnering for Progress. Powering Development.
Warmly,
| | Kwanza Hall
Chairman of the Board
Develop Fulton
| | | Pictured from left are Kwanza Hall, Chairman, Develop Fulton; Ji-Yeon Kim, Director, Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD); and Pat Wilson, Commissioner, GDEcD. They were in South Korea for the 40th anniversary of Georgia’s representation (est. 1985). The Governor’s visit reinforces Georgia's vital economic partnership with Korea. CREDIT: Develop Fulton | |
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DRIVING DEVELOPMENT: A standard REBA Grant was approved at the October board meeting in support of Mercedes-Benz and the company’s expansion of its North American headquarters in Sandy Springs, and a 60,530 sq. ft. research and development center at 384 Northyards Boulevard in Atlanta. This REBA Grant was the result of collaboration among the Georgia Department of Economic Development, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, and Select Fulton. Read more in the Atlanta Daily World.
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SOUTH DOWNTOWN: A landmark development known as Forge Atlanta was approved for a resolution inducement. The initial phase that was approved by Develop Fulton includes a 300-room hotel, meeting space, and 60,500 sq. ft. of retail and entertainment space. The development is located on a 10-acre tract along Ted Turner Drive and Whitehall Street. "The Forge Atlanta project was approved by the Board for a potential property tax incentive that would be entirely contingent upon the developer building and advancing the project,” explains Chairman Hall and as reported in the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
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COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS: The 16th annual event organized by the Council for Quality Growth was held last week at Portman’s Ten Twenty Spring to recognize the leading CIDs. Congratulations to Midtown Alliance and Midtown CID President and CEO, Kevin Green, for the CID Professional Excellence Award. Chair of the Gwinnett CID, John Heagy, took home the John Williams CID Leadership Award. CIDs are integral to the quality of place and an important partner in economic development. Congratulations to all the CIDs in Fulton County!
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***** SAVE THE DATE *****
The Develop Fulton monthly board meeting is November 18. We anticipate robust and productive discussions as we advance our strategic initiatives.
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2025 Strategic Leadership Visit (SLV)
Organized by the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, the annual SLV is a leadership learning trip to a major city, focused on exploring innovation, community growth models, and effective regional collaboration This year's cohort traveled to Scottsdale, Arizona on Nov. 5-7 and discussed key issues including workforce growth through community investment; innovation and entrepreneurship; placemaking through arts and culture; and sports tourism and civic impact.
North Fulton leaders visited the Mesa Business Builder @The Studios, The SkySong, the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, and lastly Sloan Park (Home of Chicago Cubs Spring Training). The three-day visit revealed next level regional visioning to bring back for consideration.
Pictured above from left are Ann Hanlon, Executive Director, Perimeter Community Improvement Districts (PCIDs); Commissioner Bridget Thorne, Fulton County, District 1; and Kristin Rome Winzeler, Executive Director, True North 400. CREDIT: Develop Fulton
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47th Annual Joint Meeting
Southeast U.S./Japan Association
SEUS/JAPAN
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Chairman Hall joined a Georgia delegation in Tokyo led by Gov. Kemp to participate in SEUS/Japan and its Japanese counterpart, the Japan/U.S. Southeast Association (Japan/USSE). The yearly meeting discusses and encourages foreign direct investment (FDI) from Japanese companies into the Southeast region. As one of seven southeastern states, Georgia was a founding member of the SEUS/Japan Alliance upon its start in 1976.
Learn more about the joint meeting in coverage by Global Atlanta, including an interview with Takao Yamamoto, the new head of Georgia’s Tokyo office in Japan.
By the numbers and according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development, there are more than 400 Japanese companies in Georgia generating more than 40,000 jobs and $8.2 billion in economic impact.
Pictured above is Chairman Hall with a group from Georgia alongside their colleagues from Kajima, one of Japan's oldest and largest construction companies. The group also includes staff members representing the Metro Atlanta Chamber and Global Atlanta. CREDIT: Develop Fulton
| Czech Republic’s MJV Industrial Engineering Fair | |
Brno, Czech Republic is the site of the most important industrial fair in Central Europe and last month it attracted thousands of experts who lead business investments. A primary focus of the fair was machining and forming with major themes focused on Industry 4.0, the Digital Factory, and the Circular Economy. During the visit in October, Fulton County representatives pitched Georgia as a key hub for market entry and returned with a memorandum of understanding between the county and the Brno Regional Chamber of Commerce.
“The Czech business community is enthusiastic about Georgia and Fulton County as international outposts for their companies,” Develop Fulton board treasurer Erica Long, said in a news release. “They understand that our county can provide a strong platform for economic growth in the U.S.”
Last week a delegation from Brno reciprocated and made a visit to Georgia to showcase products including in-home chair lifts, lentils, educational software and soil conditioner for U.S. market entry consideration. They are also looking at Georgia as a production and sourcing base.
Pictured above from left are members of the Fulton County delegation including Filip Chvatal, 2nd Deputy Mayor of Brno, Czech Republic; Erica Long, Chief of Policy, Atlanta Public Schools; Commissioner Khadijah Abdur-Rahman, Fulton County, District 6; Monika Vintrlíková, Honorary Consul, Czech Republic in Atlanta; and Robin Bienfait, Founder and CEO, Atlanta Tech Park. PHOTO CREDIT: Develop Fulton
| Pictured is Chairman Robb Pitts, Fulton County Board of Commissioners alongside Councilmember Christine Hall, City of Roswell, Post 3. They represented Fulton County on a recent visit to the Czech Republic and Slovakia. PHOTO CREDIT: Develop Fulton | |
"Ambassador Neto's insightful conversation affirmed Brazil's vital economic partnership with Georgia, a powerful reminder that strong diplomacy is the indispensable bedrock of our prosperity in this global era. These essential forums bridge our communities for the open, high-level dialogue necessary to lead on the world stage."
-Kwanza Hall, Chairman, Develop Fulton
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CONSULAR CONVERSATIONS: Guests of Develop Fulton joined Chairman Hall for a luncheon and one-on-one live interview and Q&A with Ambassador Pompeu Andreucci Neto Consul General of Brazil in Atlanta. The event was organized by Global Atlanta and held at The Commerce Club. Also in attendance was the Consul General of Argentina.
Pictured from left are Kwanza Hall, Chairman, Develop Fulton; Alana Lomonaco Busto, Consul General of Argentina in Atlanta; and Ambassador Neto and Consul General of Brazil in Atlanta. CREDIT: Develop Fulton
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WATCH THE FIRST IN A SERIES
Relationship. Rapport. Responsiveness. Respect.
Chairman Hall credits partners and developers who are pioneering to build a better place in Fulton County.
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