Responding to changing economic dynamics and untapped business opportunities, the City of Atlanta today launched “Invest Atlanta,” a modernized version of the city’s economic development agency formerly known as the Atlanta Development Authority, Mayor Kasim Reed said.

Mayor Reed unveiled Invest Atlanta during his annual State of the City business breakfast address before more than 900 business and community leaders at the Georgia World Congress Center. During his speech, Reed stressed the necessity for a focus on economic development and job creation through 2012.

“I have made economic development one of my Administration’s top priorities, and this change represents an effort to modernize our approach to economic growth,” said Mayor Reed, who also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Invest Atlanta. “We must get our economy moving again because our unemployment level is too high and families are hurting. Focusing on business creation, attraction, retention and expansion not only creates jobs but also brings in new tax revenues for the city.”

Invest Atlanta, led by President and CEO Brian McGowan, will focus on making the city a job growth engine again and creating an environment to attract, create and retain jobs. Invest Atlanta will continue to help residents purchase homes, issue bonds and incentives for new development and provide small business loans but will place a strong focus on attracting new investment, international trade and innovation and entrepreneurship.

Invest Atlanta’s mission and objectives are to make economic growth and competitiveness a top priority by focusing heavily on business development and working strategically to market the rich opportunities and unrivaled qualities Atlanta offers on a national and international level.

During his State of the City address, Mayor Reed also unveiled a new citywide initiative called TweetMyJobs to help put unemployed residents back to work. The technology delivers relevant job listings instantly to job seekers via Facebook, Twitter, email and mobile devices and allows for job referrals and introductions. Employers using the platform gain the opportunity to recruit qualified candidates via social media, thereby reaping the competitive advantage of reaching them faster.

“I am pleased to announce the launch of Atlanta’s new online jobs platform in partnership with TweetMyJobs,” Mayor Reed said.  “TweetMyJobs will help bridge the gap between the jobs our residents are seeking and the positions available.  With more than 85,000 job listings on this new platform, this is just one of the ways we are using technology in an innovative way to keep Atlanta working.”

This year’s breakfast was sponsored by the Atlanta Committee for Progress and The Coca-Cola Company. Muhtar Kent, Chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, served as host. “Together with the City Council, our mayor has improved Atlanta’s financial footing in a very significant way: ramping up reserves, controlling costs and reforming the city’s pension obligations,” Mr. Kent said. “Along with other city leaders and public safety officials, he’s making Atlanta a safer, more pleasant and more livable city.”

During his speech, Mayor Reed also highlighted major accomplishments of his first two years in office, which effectively restored the financial foundation of the city, improved the perception and reality of safety in the city, and restored numerous basic city services. These included:

• Two years of balanced budgets – with no property tax increases – that resulted in growing the city’s cash reserves from $7.4 million in January 2010 to $94.4 million dollars audited in less than 24 months.
• Resolution of the city’s looming pension crisis, thereby addressing a $1.5 billion unfunded liability and saving the city more than $270 million over the next 10 years.
• Recruitment of more than 400 new police officers for a force of more than 1,850 on way to a goal of 2,000, making the current Atlanta Police Department the biggest in the city’s history.
• Boost of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department’s sworn staff by 75 through a $9.8 million Department of Homeland Security grant that pays them for the next three years.
• Adoption of a new permitting plan that consolidates and streamlines the process in ways that will save money, increase transparency and encourage job growth and economic development.
• Reduction of city’s backlog of more than 5,000 code violations two years ago to fewer than 1,000, with a plan to eliminate the backlog completely by summer.

“We’ve made real progress in delivering on the issues that matter most to residents and taxpayers,” Mayor Reed said. “It is my sincere hope that when the story of Atlanta today is written, the authors will find that we dared to strive for excellence in the midst of grave challenges, and that we succeeded in meeting our collective goals.”

Scott Henry has a great post up at Creative Loafing about what the Mayor’s efforts will mean for Atlanta’s future.

I can’t meaningfully predict whether we’ll get that money, but it would certainly make Atlanta a more exciting place over the next several years if we did, seeing as it would transform the city into even more of a freight and logistics hub than it is now.

But consider that Obama has, according to what I’m hearing, already tapped Reed for a major public role in his re-election campaign this year. I don’t how much leverage that gives the mayor to wrangle the port-deepening money, but it sure can’t hurt.

Mayor Reed’s tireless efforts have grown the cities reserves from $7.4 million two years ago to $94.4 million today. And his ability to take Atlanta’s priorities straight to President Obama give us an opportunity to grow our economy and our workforce as successfully we’ve grown our reserves.

ATLANTA – The City of Atlanta has $94.4 million in its general fund reserves, an increase of $87 million since January 2010 when Mayor Kasim Reed was inaugurated. The audited data was released as part of the city’s Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

One of the primary goals of the Reed administration is to restore the city’s fiscal health to ensure future growth and encourage greater economic investment by local, national and global companies. Mayor Reed, in partnership with the Atlanta City Council, has passed two budgets with cash surpluses that included funds to hire more than 400 police officers and open all of the city’s recreation centers for young people. Mayor Reed’s administration also reformed the city’s pension plan, enabling the city to continue investing in critical public safety and operational priorities, while strengthening the city’s fiscal position. The pension reform plan is expected to save the city more than $270 million over the next 10 years.

“By restoring the city’s fiscal strength, its leaders can focus on the safety and quality of life issues that matter most to residents and business owners,” said Mayor Reed. “I am proud that in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, the City of Atlanta has managed its finances in a manner that has led to the growth of the city’s reserve fund to $94 million from $7 million in two years. We have governed prudently, while also investing in public safety personnel and equipment, parks and recreation centers and transportation infrastructure – all without raising property taxes.”

State law requires that all general-purpose local governments publish, within six months of the close of each fiscal year, a complete set of audited financial statements, presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The city’s FY 2011 financial statements were audited by Banks, Finley, White & Co with additional support provided by Tabb & Tabb. The goal of the independent audit is to provide reasonable assurance that the city’s financial statements for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, are free of material misstatement.

“Strong cost controls, targeted capital investments and conservative revenue projections have allowed the city to generate a general fund operating surplus,” said Jim Beard, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Atlanta. “The city is on its way to achieving the Reed administration’s goal of more than $100 million in reserves. Once this is accomplished, we look forward to addressing the city’s various capital and infrastructure needs in a fiscally prudent manner.”

ATLANTA – Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed and a host of celebrities, dignitaries, civic and business leaders raised more than $1.2 million on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2011, at the 28th Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball, breaking last year’s record of $1.1 million. The money raised will benefit the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the nation’s largest private provider of scholarships and educational support to minority and low-income students, and its 38 member colleges and universities. The Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball is one of metro Atlanta’s signature fundraising galas and premier social events of the holiday season.

“For almost seven decades, UNCF has helped millions of students attend college and get the education they deserve,” said Mayor Kasim Reed. “I am pleased that the annual Mayor’s Masked Ball helps fund the education of thousands of students matriculating at the Atlanta University Center. This year’s gala was truly a night to remember, and I thank the UNCF for its investment in our nation’s future leaders.”

Mayor Reed co-hosted the Annual Mayor’s Masked Ball at the downtown Marriott Marquis with UNCF’s President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax.

“Every year the Mayor’s Masked Ball brings together Atlanta leaders who believe in the power of education to help the next generation of doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers, business executives and entrepreneurs get the education they need to compete in a global economy,” said Dr. Lomax. “The Mayor’s Masked Ball is a not only a fantastic celebration, with food, fun and entertainment, but it’s an opportunity for our community to come together to ensure that every child has the opportunity to get a good education from pre-school through college.”

This year’s UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball attracted more than 1,200 attendees, including entertainers from film, television and music; major sports figures; elected officials and civic leaders and volunteers. Mayor Reed and Dr. Lomax began the evening with a VIP Reception. Following the VIP reception was the signature Parade of Stars and Dignitaries, an elegant dinner, silent auction and the Parade of Masks. Dancing followed as guests enjoyed musical entertainment by award-winning singer and songwriter Keith Sweat.

Many celebrities and dignitaries lent their support at the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball including Michael Jai White of Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married? and Why Did I Get Married Too? films and the new TBS television series Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse; veteran actor Mykelti Williamson of Forrest Gump; actor, actor and comedian Chris Tucker; and Dawnn Lewis of The Cosby Show spin-off A Different World and Dreamgirls.

Co-chairs for this year’s ball were Scarlet Pressley-Brown, Director of External Affairs and Community Relations and Vice President of the Delta Air Lines Foundation, and Ralph Cleveland, Executive Vice President of Engineering and Resources of AGL Resources.

The funds generated through this year’s ball will provide scholarship support for the 12,000 students matriculating at the Atlanta University Center, which includes Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and The Interdenominational Theological Center.

Mayor Kasim Reed joined Atlanta-based Open Hand today to celebrate a new milestone for the community-based, non-profit organization: The delivery its 20 millionth meal to a chronically ill metropolitan Atlanta resident. Open Hand is the largest provider of home-delivered, medically appropriate meals and nutrition education in the U.S., delivering more than 5,500 meals daily to those challenged by or looking to prevent chronic disease or disability.

Mayor Reed presented a Phoenix Award, the city’s highest honor, to the volunteers at Open Hand’s kitchen, 176 Ottley Drive, and thanked them for their years of dedication and service to the community. Then, Mayor Reed delivered a ceremonial meal to an Open Hand client, Ms. Carolyn Barber, who lives in the Summer Hill neighborhood in the City of Atlanta.

“Metropolitan Atlanta now has 20 million reasons to thank Open Hand and its thousands of volunteers for their many contributions to our city,” said Mayor Reed. “For more than 23 years, Open Hand has provided warm, nutritious meals to residents in need of care and assistance. Open Hand and its volunteers reflect the best of Atlanta. I deeply appreciate the vital work they do in the community every day.”

“Celebrating the delivery of Open Hand’s 20 millionth meal is a remarkable milestone made possible by volunteers, community partners and donors who have supported us since our early days in Atlanta,” said Jacqueline Yeaney, co-president of Open Hand’s board of directors.

By the numbers, Open Hand is powered by more than 25,000 volunteers, 100 to 125 of which are needed on a daily basis. Meal deliveries account for nearly 650,000 miles driven each year while providing about 1.7 million meals annually across 17 Georgia counties. The organization is closing in on its $4.2 million capital campaign goals which will fund a much-needed expansion which will result in a completely renovated 17,000 square-foot facility in 2012, more than tripling Open Hand’s current workspace.

“Open Hand continues to operate with the same core values and guiding principles in place when we opened in 1988,” said Yeaney. “We greatly appreciate the opportunity to help each of our clients become active managers of their health while regaining a sense of independence taken away by a chronic condition.”

“The AIDS epidemic has an immense impact that is felt throughout our city, state, nation and across the globe,” said Mayor Reed. “We must continue to collaborate with our civic and community partners to make further advances in HIV/AIDS research and bring an end to the AIDS epidemic. In honor of those affected by AIDS, I am pleased to show Atlanta’s unified support by illuminating our building in red and joining NAESM, AID Atlanta and many other civic and community partners for World AIDS Day.”

The theme of today’s program was “Getting to Zero – Zero New HIV Infections, Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS Related Deaths.” Speakers included Candace Byrd, Mayor Reed’s Chief of Staff; Tracy Elliott, Executive Director for AID Atlanta; Rudolph Carn, Founder and CEO, NAESM, Inc.; Kenneth Lee Samuel, Senior Pastor, Victory for the World Church; Leisha McKinley-Beach, Southern Regional Coordinator, Black Aids Institute; and Dr. Patrick O’Neal with the Georgia Department of Public Health.

“This special day serves as the catalyst as to why organizations such as ours and other organizations worldwide provide much needed services, education and at times now ‐‐ advocacy to continue the work that has to be done in order to conquer the alarming increase in numbers of this disease,” said Rudolph Carn, CEO and Founder of NAESM.

In addition to the free, anonymous HIV testing at today’s event, there were nearly a dozen organizations on hand to answer questions about HIV/AIDS, STDs and other related health concerns.

Participating organizations included Aniz Inc., Atlanta Harm Reduction Center Inc., Citywide Projects Inc., Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness, Georgia Department of Public Health, Hope Clinic of the Emory Vaccine Center, My Brother’s Keeper Inc., Vitamen, Southeast AIDS Training and Education Center and Traxx Atlanta.

Atlanta joined more than 30 cities around the world to illuminate landmarks in red with the goal of eliminating mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 2015.

I know that the entire city and state stand with me in sincere appreciation and gratitude on this special day. Whatever we do today is not enough to honor our military men and women who have given so much. We offer thanks on Veterans Day, but it is my hope that we will strive to give more to our veterans and their families every day, from adequate health insurance coverage to employment opportunities in cities across America.

For those on active duty, we wish you Godspeed on your missions and pray for your safe return home. For our retired veterans, we offer our sincere appreciation for your selfless service. And for our fallen brethren, we shall never forget you.”

For more than a year, the leadership of the 10-county metropolitan Atlanta region has met to develop a project list for next summer’s critical vote on a 1-cent sales tax for transportation. The five members of the Atlanta Regional Roundtable’s Executive Committee unanimously voted on the preliminary list after carefully vetting the projects on technical performance and deliverability, value and public support.

One project that gained approval is a $602 million allocation for a light rail transit system that will connect several key regional destinations and downtown and Midtown to the Atlanta Beltline and MARTA at the North Avenue and Peachtree Center stations. It also includes a new MARTA station at Joseph E. Boone Boulevard. This project performs as well or better than any others on the project list based on the roundtable’s criteria. In fact, three studies by the Atlanta Regional Commission in the past six years have ranked the Atlanta Beltline alone as a top-tier transit priority for the region.

Yet, mayors Eva Galambos of Sandy Springs, Jere Wood of Roswell and Mike Bodker of Johns Creek argue that the Atlanta Beltline is not a regional project. It is worth noting that on Sept. 15, 2010, they stood on the steps of the Georgia State Capitol and publicly opposed the Transportation Investment Act. That is their right, and I respect their position.

However, rather than simply oppose the TIA, they have chosen to create a false debate about whether the Atlanta Beltline is a regional project.

They are running the same tired play of pitting the suburbs against the city. The Atlanta Beltline is popular among the city’s residents, a large population likely to vote in favor of the sales tax, and plays a critical role in whether the measure passes. Accordingly, reducing funding for the Atlanta Beltline and other projects may mean losing the support of these constituents for the TIA.

The north Fulton mayors are aware of this likelihood. I believe they seek to reduce funding for public transit, specifically the Beltline, to create enough discord to guarantee the failure of the referendum. It’s fine to oppose the tax, but these elected officials want it both ways. They oppose the TIA but also advocate for projects that benefit their cities. North Fulton has more than $450 million in transportation projects on the list. I support them because I am a partner with the entire region and want everyone to succeed.

The Atlanta Beltline, with its direct routes into the heart of the city, provides critical last-mile connectivity to major activity and employment destinations in the downtown and Midtown business districts such as Georgia Tech, Georgia State University, CNN, the Georgia World Congress Center and Piedmont Park. There are more than 100,000 jobs within a quarter mile of these transit routes. In combination with other critical investments on the list, Atlanta’s transit project will strengthen the region’s core.

Regions from Dallas to Denver are investing in transit connections. The TIA referendum is our best chance at building transportation infrastructure to restore the economy’s health. If approved, this 1 percent sales tax will provide more than $7 billion over the next 10 years on critical road, transit, pedestrian and bicycle improvements in the 10-county region.

We must rise to the challenge and not let the metropolitan Atlanta region fall behind. If we succumb to old political tactics that attempt to divide Atlanta and the rest of the region, we will all fail.

Let’s not be small. Let’s not fall for this.

This op-ed by Mayor Reed originally appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on September 27, 2011.