8 replies to this topic

[yerocal]

I would like to see the state of Ga working more to encourage,promote and deviate growth in the Second tier cities (Macon, Augusta, Columbus and Savannah)....... "Enough is enough Atlanta".

What you guys think?

[Columbus1984]

yerocal, on Mar 15 2009, 08:52 PM, said:

I would like to see the state of Ga working more to encourage,promote and deviate growth in the Second tier cities (Macon, Augusta, Columbus and Savannah)....... "Enough is enough Atlanta".

What you guys think?

I agree 100%! Columbus has been lucky lately since it has the new National Infantry Museum opening this month. It has an IMAX theater and everything. It is supposed to attract 500,000 people a year which will bring millions to the local economy. Atlanta gets everything though. The state should work harder to spread things out more.

Edited by Columbus1984, 16 March 2009 - 10:34 AM.

[aboutmetro]

Many of those things - parks, theaters, cinemas, etc - require populations with disposable income. As a business model, Atlanta makes the most sense for them and, short of perpetual government subsidy, that won't and shouldn't change.  What could and should change is economic incentives to locate companies and jobs outside of the Atlantasphere.  That will bring wealth and populations to other areas around the state and that will attract the leisure activities.  The next issue Columbus would face is it's lack of Interstate, air service and no passenger rail service... The same for Albany, GA.

The one exception to that is the prohibition on gambling.  If that were lifted in areas outside Atlanta, then those companies would have not other choice. But how to get the folks to Columbus is still an issue.

[yerocal]

aboutmetro, on Mar 16 2009, 10:44 AM, said:

What could and should change is economic incentives to locate companies and jobs outside of the Atlantasphere.  That will bring wealth and populations to other areas around the state and that will attract the leisure activities.

Yes I agree Ga should offer a Tax relief, grants or incentives to deviate companies and jobs to  the 2nd tier cities........

[j.midtown]

yerocal, on Mar 15 2009, 09:52 PM, said:

I would like to see the state of Ga working more to encourage,promote and deviate growth in the Second tier cities (Macon, Augusta, Columbus and Savannah)....... "Enough is enough Atlanta".

What you guys think?

I think jealousy isn't very pretty.  Look, the reality is that Atlanta attracts organizations and events by virtue of being a large city with all that it entails; organizations and events that wouldn't even consider a Columbus or Macon.  You can't replicate things like the world's busiest airport, with direct flights to every major domestic destination and almost every continent; two world-class institutions of higher education, plus a dozen other colleges and universities; one of the largest convention centers in the country; a top-10 media market; franchises for each of the four most popular professional sports; a diverse, well-educated work-force; etc.

Also, Atlanta does its own recruiting for those large economic drivers - not only the City of Atlanta itself, but the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and other groups; the city doesn't rely on the state to bring economic improvements to it.  The critical mass of large business then drives secondary business growth.  

There are potential businesses that rural Georgia and the second-tier cities could benefit from in the future, if there were people visionary enough in government or business to help enable it, but Georgia's current political ruling class is too tied to legacy business and parochial interests. Instead of being anti-Atlanta, anti-science, and anti-progress, they should do things to prepare the state for the future as well as do what is necessary to keep Atlanta healthy, growing and prosperous so that the secondary benefits of that prosperity can continue to flow to the rest of the state.

[krazeeboi]

^Well said, j.midtown. Furthermore, people just want to move to Atlanta because it is the "it" place. The state really can't do anything to make individuals who simply want to live in metro Atlanta to move to Augusta or Columbus instead.

[mitchella81]

I totally agree with j.midtown Metro Atlanta has developed its very own strong idenity as a world class city just travel around the united states and tell people your from Georgia 90% of people would be like oh your from Atlanta. None of our states 2nd tier cities have been able to develop a idenity of there own with the exception of maybe Savannah which is viewed as a culturly rich historic southern town as in the movie midnight in the garden of good and evil Columbus Macon and Augusta although large population centers of the state they are known to a national audience for very little other than Augusta gets national attention for a brief while with the masters each of these 2nd tier cities must find some type of niche to attract a greater torisum base then they could devlop there own identities I am a native Atlantian who now lives in Columbus. But still for entertainment I travel to Atlanta because Atlanta offers everything in ways of entertainment Columbus has attempted to become a culturly rich city which actually bores the younger generation like me Operas and ballets do not appeal the typical person in their 20s so I prefer Atl for younger type shows

[xivinrah]

yerocal, on Mar 15 2009, 09:52 PM, said:

I would like to see the state of Ga working more to encourage,promote and deviate growth in the Second tier cities (Macon, Augusta, Columbus and Savannah)....... "Enough is enough Atlanta".

What you guys think?

I disagree wholeheartedly. You can't make people who enjoy the quality of life that is fostered in those second-tier cities to yield to the kind of cosmopolitan, urban, and sophisticated development that is concurrent in the Atlanta Metro. I used to live in Columbus. Personally, it was absolutely hellish for someone who yearns to be enriched by the influence of different ethnic cultures, mentalities, perspectives, philosophies, and religions... Atlanta is a breeding ground for visionaries of all races, backgrounds, etc. I am very different from a lot of youth my age (as indicatively shown from the way I speak, and how my perspectives are conveyed.) and I wasn't accepted at all amongst the youth or in any organization that I engaged with. At any age and any time in my life... I would not want to live in places like Columbus. I don't know how many other youth feel about it.

Edited by xikartu, 27 June 2009 - 04:52 AM.

[andremurra]

What 2nd & 3rd Tier cities need to realize also, is that many of Atlanta's new residents are pouring in from the 2nd-class Georgia cities.  While many outside natives may have a special place in their heart for their hometowns, those cities simply cannot offer the diversity and free-thinking attitude that Atlanta offers - which is a breath of fresh air for non-conservatives living throughout Georgia.  I am moving to Atlanta this month, after spending a good chunk of my life in Statesboro & Savannah.  Having just graduated from Georgia Southern, all but just a handful of my friends are also moving to Atlanta.  Many of those are locals too.  Times are changing for Georgia, and the state's youth arent satisfied with the limited capacities of opportunities that the alternative cities offer.

Instead of whining about Atlanta getting everything, because I too understand the frustration, lets strategize on ways to improve the current infrastructure of non-Atlanta, Georgia and prepare those area for growth. Lets determine what is unique about each locale and design marketing campaigns to brand those images. There is much that can be done, and no one has to wait on government to do it. We are the government!