From the Publisher

First Georgia Trend Magazine first cover 1985
From the Publisher, Opinions

Looking Back, Planning Ahead

Ben Young,

This year we celebrate our 40th Anniversary. It’s incredible to think of the legacy Georgia Trend has established over those four decades. Originally modeled after Florida Trend, the magazine soon became – under a succession of canny Georgia owners – something uniquely…

Atlanta Affordable Housing
From the Publisher, Opinions

Creating a Beloved Community

Ben Young,

It’s hard to imagine a more powerful affordable housing effort than Atlanta’s Westside Future Fund. With over $100 million in philanthropic investment and impact funds to date, it could provide a model for similar initiatives, but it’s also difficult to…

Georgia Businesses Copy
From the Publisher, Opinions

The Importance of Startups

Ben Young,

As we look at small business this month, it’s important to note the the contribution of startups and Georgia’s startup-friendly ecosystem. Startups comprised some 8.9% of all firms in the U.S. in 2021 – the highest share since the Great Recession. Startups and…

Peanut Farm In Georgia Copy
From the Publisher, Opinions

Deportations Will Hurt Farmers

Ben Young,

This issue’s Economic Yearbook showcases Georgia’s premier economic development projects region by region, the fruits of decades of hard work on the part of the state’s business and community leaders to make it the national destination for employers, jobs and…

Homeless Georgia Georgia Trend
From the Publisher, Opinions

Helping Homeless Young People

Ben Young,

Recent support for ending homelessness in Georgia, such as Atlanta’s $50 million Homeless Opportunity Bond and Gov. Brian Kemp’s pledge of $62 million to address housing insecurity, is encouraging, touching a subject dear to my heart – homeless kids. In…

Cityscape Ga Trend
From the Publisher, Opinions

A Big Boost for Rural Georgia

Ben Young,

Rural Georgia remains a focus for economic development. There is opportunity for many of our 159 counties to become more competitive with better infrastructure and broader residential development. In December 2024, the state announced $9.3 million for six counties, the…

Hurricane Georgia Copy
From the Publisher, Opinions

Helping Hurricane Victims

Ben Young,

As we begin 2025, the year of Georgia Trend’s 40th anniversary, it is inspiring to look at some of the state’s jaw-dropping accomplishments over the last four decades. It is equally inspiring to see what takes place under the radar, helping…