The economic development team thanks all partners and participants during the inaugural May 7 Business Walks Program

Cobb County, Ga. (June 21, 2019) – The Cobb County Economic Development team would like to formally thank SelectCobb for cohosting the inaugural Business Walks Program on May 7, 2019. Staff would also like to thank District 4 Commissioner Cupid, our economic development partners, and Business Walks participants for supporting the successful launch of this foundational, ground-breaking program.

Economic Development staff has assembled the executive summary of the Inaugural Business Walks Program. Results from this program evaluate the number of jobs held at each business, South Cobb’s business climate, strengths and weaknesses of conducting business in Cobb, and constructive criticism from the participants.

View/Download the Executive Summary of the Inaugural Business Walks Program.

Business Walks, an innovative business retention and expansion program, allows economic development groups to visit four to six businesses a day per team, covering more ground than traditional retention and expansion programs. Leveraging one-on-one interviews and facility tours, teams gather feedback from companies on key matters, such as community engagement and services, opportunity for growth, workforce needs and current challenges. The teams also use surveys with predetermined questions to quickly diagnose firms on the brink of greatness or those at risk. This increases awareness of programs and services offered by local and county organizations, and identify those businesses that may require further assistance. For business owners and operators, meeting with community leadership and development groups allows their voices to be heard and ensures a prosperous business climate for the future.

Economic Development partners visited businesses in the cities of Austell and Powder Springs, as well as the Mableton, Discovery Boulevard, Six Flags Industrial, Riverside Parkway, Veterans Memorial Highway and Hartman Road areas. Reunited, the teams discussed their findings and worked together to address any pressing matters. The coordinating committee began its efforts in South Cobb with plans to expand to another commission district in the Fall and the remaining two districts in 2020.