Why Atlanta For Business

Keys to Atlanta’s Success Economic Engine 138,000 Established Businesses 2.6 Million in the Workforce Low Unemployment 4th Fastest Growing State in the past 10 Years 9th Largest Metro in the US Global Connections 49 Foreign Consulates 31 Foreign/American Chambers of Commerce World Class Talent Center of Higher Education 45 Degree granting Colleges and Universities Competitive Business Climate Economic Development State Incentives Superior Quality of Life Measure of economic health – Job growth Population growth Housing starts

Economic Engine of the Southeast Last Year Atlanta gained more that 60,000 jobs Metro Atlanta adds 100,000+ people per year 2006 more than 70,000 new housing starts Personal income growth continues to be higher than the national average 9th for Numbers of High-net Worth Individuals Preliminary job growth estimates through next year projects 44,000 more jobs Although the rate of recovery is slower than the growth experienced between 1995-2000, the city has a 3-year trend of job growth Source: Bureau of the Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 2005; Economy.com, July 2005, MACOC; U.S. Census Bureau, American; Community Survey 2003

Economic Engine of the Southeast Diverse Economy LEADING INDUSTRY RANKINGS BASED ON EMPLOYMENT Business Services ranked in the top 5 Telecommunications ranked 2nd Computer Software Development and Services ranked 6th Transportation and Logistics ranked 5th Manufacturing Center – 7th largest in the US Healthcare and Higher Education ranked in the top 5 Source: MACOC

National Rankings 9th Largest US Population Center Population: Surpassed 5 Million (2006) 2000 – 2006 added 856,266 Average 142,000 annually 2020 Projected Population over 7 Addition of 2 Million People in the next 13 years Equivalent of Denver, CO AARP Magazine ranked Atlanta among the top five places to retire 2007 "A sophisticated metropolis with southern charm, Atlanta offers abundant volunteer and cultural opportunities," the magazine said. "Retirees also appreciate the wide range of housing options." 2ndLargest Job Generator in 2005 Behind Phoenix Third Largest Fortune 500 Concentration for the 6th year 12 Fortune 500; 27 Fortune 1000 New York has 44 Houston 23 Atlanta 14 Dallas 11 Chicago 10 Charlotte; Minneapolis; Philadelphia; Richmond and St. Louis all with 7

National Rankings Ranked 7th in the nation for the percent of population that has completed college (34.7% of adults 25 years and older) Atlanta Leads the Nation in Attracting Most Coveted Demographic “Young and Restless” Place to be for Highly Educated 25- to 34-year-olds Cost of Living Index: 97.5% (1st Qtr 2006) Forbes.com has ranked Atlanta as one of the Best Markets for Buyers.  Atlanta ranked #10 in a list that included New York City, San Diego and Miami. Forbes.com as #3 in the list for Best Cities for Young Professionals.

National Rankings

National Rankings

In Top 10 Best Markets for Women in Business # 9  - Atlanta All woman-owned businesses: 124,061 (8) 272 woman-owned businesses for every 10,000 residents. That's the 8th strongest concentration in the country, a full 23 percent above the U.S. average of 221 per 10,000. Those same Atlanta companies generate $21.6 billion in annual revenues, outperforming all but four markets nationwide. Women holding bachelor's degrees: 33.4% Women holding advanced degrees: 11.1% Management and professional jobs held by women: 40.2% Notes: Business statistics are from the 2002 federal economic census. All other statistics are from 2005.

Top Five North American City of the Future 4th best city of the future 4th in “best human resources” 3rd in “best economic potential” 3rd in “best infrastructure” 1st in “most business friendly” FDI Magazine

Atlanta’s Income Gains Atlanta - Median HH Income of $75,344 by 2010 +3.9% Annually 2005 - 2010 U.S. - Median HH Income of $58,384 by 2010 +3.3% Annually 2005 - 2010