Economic Development Features

The Williams dairy farm is forward-looking, technologically sophisticated, micro-managed and consistently profitable. Such success is increasingly rare, as soaring land values and production costs are putting the necessary economies of scale well beyond reach of the average farmer.

Georgia ranks 11th among states in exports, sending $19.6 billion worth of goods throughout the Western Hemisphere and beyond. State officials say companies that export create and retain twice as many jobs as domestic-market companies. One advocate says international trade is simply the state's future.

By 2030 Metro Atlanta will be home to 6 million residents. Can the region offset surging population and challenges to its infrastructure? Members of a blue-ribbon task force say it's possible for things to get better instead of worse. But it will require political will and political leadership.

For the sixth year, Georgia Trend partners with the Georgia Municipal Association to honor some of the state's outstanding cities. This year we celebrate six that have distinguished themselves in the area of public safety and in community and economic development.

Three very different Georgia financial institutions have similar ties to their locales and their missions.