Cobb County: Knocking It Out of the Park

Record Revenue: Sharon Mason, president and CEO of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. Photo credit: Brandon Clifton

Cobb County had a winning year in 2025, and the state’s third largest county aims to build on that success. The key to Cobb’s steady economic growth? Collaboration and communication. The county brought many stakeholders to the table in its continued workforce development efforts, ongoing urban planning, and completion of several capital projects, working closely with the leaders of Cobb’s six cities across the board. “Staying connected with constituents is a priority,” says Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chair Lisa Cupid.

The Cobb County Chamber of Commerce also celebrated many wins last year, beginning with its five-star accreditation from the U.S. Chamber for its sound policies, effective procedures and positive community impact. The accreditation placed it in the top 2% of chambers nationwide. To receive accreditation, a chamber must meet standards in governance, government affairs, communications and technology. The Cobb Chamber also raised a record $1.23 million in membership and advertising revenue in 2025 and made gains in all three focus areas of its strategic plan: grow business and the community, foster leadership and professional development, and advocate for a pro-business environment, according to Sharon Mason, president and CEO of the chamber.

“We had 20 economic development projects come to fruition just this year through both business recruitment and expansions,” says Mason. “Shake Shack announced their regional headquarters and Truist Securities opened the relocation of their global corporate headquarters to Cobb, and we’re seeing a strong pipeline for future companies to follow in their footsteps.”

New Jobs: State and local leaders at the opening of the Flock Safety plant included Gov. Brian Kemp (third from left), Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley (with scissors), Smyrna Mayor David Norton (third from right), Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chair Lisa Cupid (second from right) and Metro Atlanta Chamber President and CEO Katie Kirkpatrick (far right). Photo credit: Contributed

In April, Flock Safety – which has worked with the county since 2019 to enhance public safety throughout Cobb – opened its new 97,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Smyrna, a $10 million investment creating hundreds of new jobs. “We’re thrilled to see these numbers so high and to keep job growth on track in our diverse economy,” Mason says.

Connecting with Constituents: Cobb County Board of Commissioners Chair Lisa Cupid. Photo credit: Contributed

The chamber has also expanded its leadership development programs. The chamber launched Cobb Young Professionals Cultivate, which in its second year has increased its 2026 class size from 26 to 30 participants. In addition, a group of 51 business and community leaders sponsored by the chamber traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet with Cobb’s congressional delegation. “We discussed four pillars: fostering a resilient economy, infrastructure and transportation, healthcare and the safeguarding of Dobbins Air Reserve base,” Mason says. “We’re so grateful our organization can make an impact at the federal level and champion the county’s greatest needs.”

Cupid touts similar victories. “We received a AAA bond rating for the 28th year in a row, and we strive to keep that streak going,” she says. “Our reputation for managing our finances well is definitely a point of pride within our entire organization.”

She notes that in 2024, Cobb approved $19 million for water and sewer projects, $3 million for stormwater projects, and another $35 million for water reclamation facility projects. “As the county grows, it’s vital that we handle all the runoff and discharge that comes with more citizens and businesses coming in,” she says.

Cobb will complete the spend down of the $147 million in federal COVID-19 relief funds (American Rescue Plan Act) by the end of 2026, $98 million of which was already allocated to 85 areas including county infrastructure, community groups and nonprofits that provide housing, rental assistance and other services to those most impacted by the pandemic. In 2024, the county partnered with FindHelp, a social care technology platform, to help citizens access free or reduced-cost services like medical care, food, job training and more.

Cultivating a Qualified Workforce

Cobb County is forging several public-private partnerships to address staffing shortfalls in key industries and drive solutions in the areas of recruitment and retention across the region. At the secondary level, Marietta High School’s College & Career Academy now offers 22 career pathways – some of which provide industry-recognized credentials – and collaborates with dozens of businesses, all while supporting college-bound students and those interested in joining the military. “Our goal is to see every student employed, enrolled or enlisted upon graduation,” says Rob Garcia, the academy’s CEO.

Student Support: Cobb County School District leaders and staff at the groundbreaking for the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy’s second campus. Photo credit: Contributed

As the demand skyrockets for workers in the trades, healthcare and education, MCCA views its mission as a “win-win” for both young Cobb residents and the local economy. “We try to offer pathways that are more aligned with what students are interested in and employers are looking for,” Garcia says.

Students who complete the heavy equipment operation course with in-house excavator and bulldozer simulators earn operator certificates, and some have been hired by the companies that hosted them in their field experiences. “We’re constantly asking ourselves, ‘How do we better match our students with those employers?’” Garcia says.

Cobb County School District also broke ground in 2025 on its second Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy on the Allatoona High School campus. Students will have the opportunity to explore pathways in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, cloud computing, game design, aviation maintenance, flight operations, unmanned aircraft systems, mechatronics and allied health and medicine. Students will also have access to pharmacy, industrial maintenance and manufacturing career paths.

Career Pathways: Clockwise from top right, Marietta High School College and Career Academy student Carter Bailey won the state excavator simulator competition; Rob Garcia, CEO of the academy; and student carpenters compete in a skills challenge. Photo credits: Contributed

Kennesaw State University is also expanding its programs across a variety of fields, having recently opened the Center for Cyber Physical Realms, the MOVE Center and the Center for Interactive Media. In the fall of 2025, it began offering the nation’s first rural management MBA concentration and an aerospace engineering degree that’s only the second of its kind in Georgia.

The HatchBridge Business Incubator, a collaboration between Kennesaw State and the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, was previously located at the KSU Center on Busbee Drive. It moved to a new campus location on Chastain Road in the fall of 2025 where it continues supporting entrepreneurs trying to grow their businesses and is at 100% occupancy. “HatchBridge has helped more than 170 startups launch their companies [since July 2023 when] KSU and the Cobb Chamber launched this in partnership,” notes Mason.

Tourism Draw: A huge crowd attended the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby as part of the festivities surrounding the All-Star Game at Truist Park. Photo credit: Contributed

Host to the World

Play Ball: Atlanta Braves Development Company CEO Mike Plant at Truist Park. Photo credit: Brandon Clifton

Two major events in Cobb will continue to have an impact on regional tourism: last July’s Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. “All-Star Week was an amazing week in our community,” says Holly Quinlan, president and CEO of Cobb Travel & Tourism. “We welcomed almost 138,000 visitors to Truist Park and more than 250,000 to The Battery Atlanta over the course of just a few days. Cobb County was on the international stage, and we truly were a shining star.”

Atlanta Braves Development Company CEO Mike Plant received positive feedback from other MLB teams. “There’s a desire on their part to duplicate our model. They’ve noticed how easy it is for people to get around in our walkable environment, and how we were able to showcase our city to a global audience,” he says. Trends for overall visitors to Cobb remain steady with a total economic impact of $2.5 billion in 2024.

Base Camp: Brittney Gray, executive director of Visit Marietta Georgia, at Atlanta United’s Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground. Photo credit: Brandon Clifton

Although all the scheduled World Cup matches will be played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Cobb is providing two base camps – Atlanta United’s Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Training Ground in Marietta and Kennesaw State University’s Fifth Third Stadium – and the county is planning to welcome and entertain an international crowd. “We’re so excited to share what makes Marietta special with the fans who’ll be coming here,” says Brittney Gray, executive director of Visit Marietta Georgia, who has observed that visitors to Marietta increasingly seek authentic experiences with a focus on cultural immersion and personal connection. “We’re evolving with those trends and keeping our assets fresh.”

Tourism to Cobb will also be positively impacted by the renovation of the Cobb Galleria Centre, begun in the fall of 2025 under the direction of General Manager Charles Beirne and with a target completion date of early 2027. Recently renamed Cobb Convention Center-Atlanta, the fully updated facility will expand its footprint to add more meeting space and possibly a hotel. “This will be a complete transformation,” Beirne says, noting that all spaces including the ballroom, restroom facilities and concession stands are getting a makeover. “We’ll be much better positioned to attract larger trade shows and conventions when we reopen.”

Urban Growth and Renewal

New City: Mableton Mayor Michael Owens. Photo credit: LaRuche Photo

The city of Mableton is not even three years old and is already making strides toward engaging citizens and making improvements to existing infrastructure. “Our municipal operations have really benefitted from the relationships we built with organizations that were willing to help from the start,” says Mayor Michael Owens. The city went from zero employees in spring of 2023 to dozens in 2025. Recent accomplishments include the 2024 creation of the Mableton Development Authority and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and the establishment of several citizen advisory boards that allow residents to make decisions that directly impact the city. “We’re making bold commitments and sticking to them, and when people see that, it solidifies our efforts,” says Owens.

Regional Tourism: Holly Quinlan, president and CEO of Cobb Travel & Tourism. Photo credit: Kevin Garrett

About 17 miles north of Mableton, Kennesaw is focused on three key priorities for 2026: public safety, quality of life initiatives and downtown growth and vibrancy, according to City Manager Jeff Drobney. The city has welcomed over 2,500 visitors to Smith-Gilbert Gardens since its gates reopened on Labor Day and is moving forward with a new 25,000-square-foot public safety facility that will consolidate Kennesaw Police Department operations under one roof. Awarded a Livable Centers Initiative grant from the Atlanta Regional Commission in 2025, Kennesaw continues to prioritize growth strategies that enhance mobility, livability and long-term investment.

Housing and Retail: New construction on Macedonia Road at Barrett Parkway. Photo credit: Contributed

Powder Springs celebrated the completion of two important buildings in 2025. The new 27,000-square-foot, $13.4 million city hall is “a dream come true,” according to Mayor Al Thurman. “As a city we’ve embraced intentional growth in our municipal center. Our residents wanted to see something that would blend in with historic architecture, and we’ve done that.”

The 347,000-square-foot 20 West Intermodal facility came in at $50 million and created 175 jobs, welcoming DP Wagner as one of its first tenants last spring. A major development project on Macedonia Road at Barrett Parkway will be a mixed-use property featuring luxury housing and retail space and is on track for completion this year.

Galleria Renovation: Rendering of the Cobb Convention Center-Atlanta, formerly the Cobb Galleria. Photo credit: Contributed

“Our Downtown Development Authority has acquired several properties, and there’s a definite vision,” says Thurman. “We’re taking it one step at a time and following our citizens’ leads.”

Smyrna was ranked the 5th best city in Georgia to live in by U.S. News & World Report in 2025, a point of pride for Mayor Derek Norton. He’s particularly excited about the progress being made on the 9-acre property the city purchased in 2024 from the Smyrna First Baptist Church and the three high-level concepts that have emerged from the focus groups held to invite community input, all centering around the Jonquil mile, a signature pedestrian-friendly corridor that connects key destinations and includes green space, retail and housing.

Welcoming Visitors: The Smith-Gilbert Gardens in Kennesaw. Photo credit: Contributed

“We’ve had more public response on this than anything else in our history,” Norton says about a pair of surveys that received 3,175 responses. “This participation represents an outstanding response for our city of 56,000 people, so many of whom have been actively involved in the downtown development project.” The city has also begun construction on the outdoor pool at Tolleson Park, slated for completion in 2027. Smyrna’s 2025 Birthday Celebration and Culture & Spirit Festival was attended by over 25,000 people, residents and visitors alike. “We’re so proud of our community and visitor engagement,” says Norton.

Marietta, which has around 63,000 residents but welcomes thousands more people to its downtown each day, has been working to increase the vibrancy of its commercial area and government spaces. “We’re still growing, and we’re very blessed,” says Mayor Steve Tumlin.

Energy Efficiency: New homes at Wisteria at Greenhouse are outfitted with renewable energy systems. Photo credit: Contributed

Some model homes and an office are up at Wisteria at GreenHouse, a 591-home subdivision north of downtown which, at 180 acres, marks the city’s largest unincorporated land acquisition in three decades. The homes also represent the largest community in the country to meet the U.S. Department of Energy’s Zero Energy Ready Home new certification standards because they are outfitted with renewable energy systems whose overall efficiency can offset all or most of their annual energy use.

Municipal Center: Powder Springs’ new City Hall. Photo credit: Contributed

“We’re listening to our commercial partners, who tell us they want their employees to have housing a reasonable distance from their workplaces,” he explains. Farm-to-table restaurant Spring opened on the Square in 2016 and became the first restaurant outside the Atlanta Perimeter to be awarded a Michelin star in 2024. The restaurant was such a success that founders Brian So and Daniel Crawford opened a Korean restaurant, Spring 2nd Branch, this past October, also on the Marietta Square. “Spring and Spring 2nd Branch are anchors for a thriving area of our downtown and have played key parts in an incredible commercial revitalization,” says Marietta City Manager Daniel Cummings.

Commercial Revitalization: Marietta City Manager Daniel Cummings on the Square. Photo credit: Brandon Clifton

Cobb County’s growth in so many areas in such a short timeframe is a testament to the dedication of its civic and industry leaders, who show no sign of slowing down. “With our intentional efforts around championing our community’s prosperity and working collaboratively, we’re so well positioned to succeed,” says Sharon Mason. “We look forward to shining brightly once again on the global stage in 2026.”

Birthday Bash: Among those at Smyrna’s 2025 Birthday Celebration and Culture & Spirit Festival were Naach Dance Academy. Photo credit: Contributed

Local Flavor

Glenn’s Café

When asked what he loves most about the restaurant bearing his name, Glenn Hutchinson smiles and says, “The whole thing!” Born with Down Syndrome, he’s been an inspiration to his older brother, Jason Walesh, his whole life.

“After our father’s dementia diagnosis four years ago, Glenn came to live with me and my wife, Patricia,” says Walesh, who opened Glenn’s Café in Mableton in October of 2023 with her input and guidance. “She and I worked in hospitality when we were young, and we’d always talked about running our own place. We knew this would allow Glenn and me to spend time together during the day and allow Patricia and I to be full partners with him in a way that’s meaningful for all of us.”

The café has earned a loyal following and a reputation for its warm, welcoming atmosphere – Hutchinson stands outside each morning, menu in hand, to beckon passing drivers to come inside – as well as signature dishes like Million Dollar Chicken Salad. After participating in Cobb Foodie Week for the first time, the brothers received Cobb County Travel & Tourism’s Spot-On Award for Restaurant of the Year after just 13 months in business. In 2026, the restaurant will collaborate with Cobb County School District’s Special Education Transition Services to offer a current student an opportunity to gain on-the-job skills.

“Our mission is ‘Great Food with the Fusion of Inclusion,’” Walesh explains. “It’s important for us to walk the walk. We want to expand on this idea and become an environment where people with special needs can get occupational training and either stay with us or find employment elsewhere in the community.”

While Walesh manages most of the café’s day-to-day operations, Hutchinson checks his work chart in the kitchen and passes out menus, clears tables and makes sure customers – many of whom return with family members who also have special needs – stay happy. Walesh finds his brother’s presence not only helpful but crucial. “When he went on vacation for two weeks, foot traffic slowed,” he says. “He’s the one who waves people down and persuades them to come in. He knows it’s his name up on the sign. There’s pride and ownership in that.”

In just two short years, Glenn’s Café has become a shining example of what “inclusion” truly means – and just how the county can gain from supporting it.