A performance audit released today found that Invest Atlanta and the City of Atlanta have strengthened tracking, reporting and oversight of the Tax Allocation District (TAD) program.

The comprehensive report, conducted by the City of Atlanta Auditor’s Office, evaluated program performance, alignment with redevelopment goals across Atlanta’s TAD districts, and Invest Atlanta’s compliance practices as a follow-up to its 2012 audit. Since that time, the City of Atlanta has amended its agreement with Invest Atlanta to require periodic third-party assessments of redevelopment goal completion, along with additional financial and programmatic reporting.

The audit’s recommendations are focused on process improvements, not findings of fraud, misuse of funds or improper project approvals.  The report identified three additional opportunities to continue to strengthen how program performance is tracked, reported, and communicated—particularly in improving clarity, consistency, and accessibility for stakeholders and the public.

Invest Atlanta views the recommendations as constructive opportunities to further strengthen performance, visibility, and alignment of the TAD program with community priorities. As such, the economic development agency has accepted all of the auditor’s recommendations and has proceeded with implementation.

“We appreciate the City Auditor’s careful review and constructive recommendations,” said Dr. Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “TADs are critical public financing tools, and we are committed to providing the public a clear understanding of how these resources are connected to redevelopment plans, community priorities and measurable outcomes. These recommendations will help make that connection even clearer as we continue working with the City, Council and our community partners to support responsible, transparent neighborhood reinvestment.”

Recommendations and Next Steps

The City Auditor identified three recommendations to strengthen program performance and public transparency, including:

• Enhancing the consistency and measurability of redevelopment plan goals, including a school system impact analysis, which analyzes data such as student enrollment numbers. Moving forward we will look at more robust metrics such as student mobility, early education access and school readiness;
• Strengthening alignment between project-level reporting and overall redevelopment outcomes;
• Creating more consolidated and accessible reporting tools for stakeholders and the public.

Invest Atlanta has begun implementing the latest recommendations, including:

• Initiating a procurement process to develop updated redevelopment plans with clear, measurable goals tied to project outcomes;
• Continue third-party TAD completion assessments to better track progress and identify barriers to achieving redevelopment goals;
• Developing enhanced reporting tools, including public-facing dashboards and report libraries, and more regular reporting to City Council and stakeholders;
• Increasing community engagement and collaboration, including convenings of TAD Advisory Committees and stakeholder workshops to inform future strategies.

These recommendations directly support implementation of the Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative (NRI), including its focus on clear outcome metrics, transparent reporting, and stronger community engagement in shaping investment priorities. The NRI Impact Framework will complement the school system impact analysis by integrating key priorities—neighborhood stabilization, youth and educational outcomes, household stability and other factors that affect educational outcomes —directly into redevelopment planning and implementation.

“When we center community needs, TADs can serve as one of Atlanta’s most important funding tools for driving equitable growth and neighborhood investment,” said Mayor Andre Dickens, who also serves as chair of Invest Atlanta. “This audit confirms the program is operating responsibly under this Administration while providing a clear roadmap to make it stronger. The Auditor’s recommendations reinforce the goals of our Neighborhood Reinvestment Initiative legislation, including expanding community input on investment priorities, building trust and ensuring every single dollar delivers meaningful results for Atlanta residents.”

Atlanta’s TAD Program

Invest Atlanta serves as the City of Atlanta’s economic development authority and administers the Tax Allocation District (TAD) program on behalf of the City. In this role, Invest Atlanta works in partnership with city government, including the Atlanta City Council, to implement redevelopment plans, evaluate and approve eligible projects, and ensure that TAD investments align with adopted policy goals, community priorities, and long-term neighborhood revitalization objectives.

Since their inception, Tax Allocation Districts have played a critical role in advancing Atlanta’s economic development by leveraging public investment to catalyze private capital, support affordable housing and small business development, revitalize commercial corridors, and fund infrastructure improvements. For every dollar of TAD funding, $12 in private investment has been generated to support TAD projects since the start of the program.

The City Auditor’s report will be posted on their website.