The Atlanta Aerotropolis Alliance officially launched Friday at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The new Alliance—comprised of leaders from the region’s public and private sectors—will work to enhance metro Atlanta’s position as a global economic leader with a vision of transforming the airport vicinity into a world-class aerotropolis.

An “aerotropolis,” a term coined by Dr. John Kasarda at the University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School, is an urban environment that develops around a central airport to connect workers, suppliers, executives and goods.

“Today’s Aerotropolis meeting is an important step forward in maintaining our position as the dominant economic generator for the region,” said Hartsfield-Jackson Interim General Manager Miguel Southwell. “While this airport has grown our passenger service, air cargo capabilities and global businesses opportunities, we are also a vital part of the communities around us. I look forward to working with the Aerotropolis Alliance to further develop Hartsfield-Jackson’s economic impact for the surrounding areas and the broader region.”

Having observed the global economic impact of aerotropolises around the world, and recognizing the importance of Hartsfield-Jackson to metro Atlanta, regional leaders began meeting two years ago. The Alliance, convened by the Atlanta Regional Commission, will focus on the future of the airport area and how it might become a nexus for increased local and global economic activity to attract international corporations, logistics companies and others that benefit from proximity to the world’s busiest airport.

Porsche Cars North America is one company that recently chose the Hartsfield-Jackson area for its new home. Joe Folz, Secretary and General Counsel of Porsche Cars North America, will serve as the Alliance’s first chairman. The Alliance also elected a vice chairman, Pedro Cherry, vice president for community and economic development at Georgia Power.

“We chose the airport area for our new headquarters and our Porsche Experience Center because we believe in the future of the Hartsfield-Jackson area and its importance to the Atlanta region, and because it literally brings the world to our door every day,” said Folz. “We have a tremendous opportunity to build upon the asset of having the world’s busiest airport to pursue development of our own world-class aerotropolis. I am pleased and honored to lead this effort.” 

“Hartsfield-Jackson is more than just the busiest airport in the world. It is an absolutely critical cog in metro Atlanta’s economy,” said Kerry Armstrong, ARC chairman and senior vice president at Pope & Land Enterprise. “The region has a tremendous opportunity to attract global companies and increase the amount and the quality of development around our airport through the formation of this new Alliance.”