2009 SOUTH METRO DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK
Post Event News Summary

The Collaborative Firm hosted the seventh annual 2009 South Metro Development Outlook on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 at Clayton State University. Approximately 535 people attended the Conference, which featured top financial, industry and government professionals including: Roger Tutterow, Professor of Economics, Mercer University; Egbert Perry, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Jeff DuFresne, Executive Director, ULI Atlanta; Egbert Perry, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Integral Group; Sharon Gay, Partner, McKenna, Long & Aldridge; John O’Callaghan, President & CEO, Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership; David Ellis, Executive Vice President, Greater Atlanta Home Builders; Eugene James, Director, Atlanta Market, Metrostudy; Eldrin Bell, Chairman, Clayton County Board of Commissioners; and more.

President Obama’s Economic Stimulus Plan (though not finalized at the time), and its potential impact on South Metro Atlanta, was a focus of the Conference. Egbert Perry delivered a compelling presentation, stating that, overall, “living beyond our means” contributed greatly to the economic downturn. Perry emphasized that the key to the U.S. economic recovery is addressing the housing crisis and job creation.

“I was particularly excited about this year's conference because it brought together the most relevant information and data regarding the future of our local economy and of America,” said Michael Hightower, Managing Partner, The Collaborative Firm. “The economic stimulus information regarding our Washington activities, the State of Georgia initiatives and local development plans, proved to be very beneficial to the attendees at this year's South Metro Development Outlook conference,” he said.

South Metro Development Outlook is an annual event that has been hosted by The Collaborative Firm, an Atlanta based land use planning and real estate development firm, since 2003 for the purpose of convening professionals with an interest in fostering smart growth in South Metropolitan Atlanta. The conference includes the following six south metro counties, Clayton, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, South Fulton and Spalding Counties. Each year, the forum continues to grow in participation and content. Since its inception, the conference has attracted over 4,000 attendees.

View 2007 Forum Highlights
View 2008 Forum Highlights
View 2009 Forum Highlights