Economic Development Around the State
Photo credit: Villa Catch the Sun
Soaring High: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport was named once again as the world’s busiest. Last year it welcomed 104.7 million passengers, including 12.8 million international travelers. That’s an 11.7% jump from 2022, and it is the only airport to ever have crossed over the 100 million passenger mark.
Thomaston Recycling: Brightmark is investing $950 million in a 2.5-million-square-foot facility in Upson County. The factory will take used plastic and turn it into the building blocks used to make new plastics, diverting some 400,000 tons of waste from landfills each year.
Atlanta HQ: PrizePicks, one of the fastest-growing daily fantasy sports operators in North America, is opening its new 33,000-square-foot headquarters in Atlanta. The $25 million investment will bring 1,000 new jobs to the area over the next seven years.
Healthcare Move: Piedmont Healthcare is moving its headquarters to Midtown Atlanta. Hundreds of executive and administrative support workers will shift from three other Metro Atlanta offices to 165,000 square feet of office space in Atlantic Station.
Energy Investment: Renewable-energy components manufacturer Sunmax Tech is investing $193 million to establish a 300,000-square-foot production and manufacturing facility in Adairsville. The first phase, a $39 million investment that added 89 jobs, began operations in May. When complete, the company will add 242 jobs to the Bartow County economy.
Coastal Studio: Pigmental Studios is creating a $200 million complex at the former airport near downtown St. Marys. Plans include 18 sound stages and support facilities for the studio, which will produce animated films and games.
New ER: Grady Health System is building a new freestanding emergency department in South Fulton County. Construction of the $38 million, 20,000-square-foot facility in Union City will begin this fall pending certificate of need approval, with a planned opening date in 2026.
Soccer Expansion: Atlanta United is expanding its Marietta training facility. The $23 million, 20,000-square-foot addition will include two digital-content production studios and a classroom.
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