A couple of weeks ago, I was truly touched to hear from an Invest Atlanta staff member about the feedback she’d received at a recent Neighborhood Planning Unit (NPU) meeting.

The meeting was for NPU-T, which lies south of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive corridor and consists of Atlanta University Center (AUC), Ashview Heights, CollegeTown, Just Us, The Villages at Castleberry Hill, West End, and Westview.

At the meeting, several residents approached our staff person, each sharing how Invest Atlanta had made a difference in their lives and neighborhoods. One resident had received down payment assistance through our homebuyer incentives programs. A local business owner spoke about how the neighborhood café they owned would be able to grow thanks to a small business loan from Invest Atlanta. This staff member was also able to share information with NPU-T residents about the work we’re doing to acquire and remove blighted properties as a Choice Neighborhoods partner. She also spoke about the MLK Innovation Village we’re constructing at the Hamilton Holmes MARTA Station out of used shipping containers, encouraging more local entrepreneurs to launch their dreams.

From homeowners to small businesses to entrepreneurs, Invest Atlanta is making a difference, not just in NPU-T, but in all 25 NPUs throughout the City of Atlanta. So far this year, we’ve supported the creation of nearly 3,800 new jobs, facilitated $5.7 million of first mortgage financing for new homebuyers, and supported small businesses with $284,000 in low-interest loans.

It’s a privilege and honor to work every day on behalf of the City of Atlanta. I’m especially proud of having the opportunity to hear how we’ve made a tangible difference in the lives of those who call Atlanta home. Thank you.

I am IA!

Dr. Eloisa Klementich, CEcD

PRESIDENT & CEO