The Council for Quality Growth will host the 2022 State of the BeltLine address and breakfast to conclude their “State of” series of programs for the year on Tuesday, August 30th from 7:30 to 9:15 AM at The Gathering Spot ATL. This event is hosted in partnership with the Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. (ABI) and the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership (ABP).

This year’s event will begin with an executive discussion between Atlanta BeltLine Inc.’s President & CEO, Clyde Higgs, Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s Executive Director, Rob Brawner, and the City of Atlanta’s Chief Operating Officer, Lisa Gordon. Their conversation, titled “Celebrating Momentum & Planning for the Future,” will focus on what can be expected for future construction of the trail, the recent funding the BeltLine has received, progress on parks and greenspaces, and where the BeltLine and City of Atlanta are on overall housing and transportation goals.

Afterwards, Clyde Higgs will be joined by a panel to discuss “Creating Equity & Empowering Small Businesses.” The panel will feature Terrence Albritton, Owner of Grady Baby, an apparel company that was one of the six minority business enterprises chosen to be part of the inaugural BeltLine Marketplace collaboration that opened earlier this summer. Edrick Harris, Executive Vice President & Partner at Prestwick Development Company, will also be on the panel to discuss how his firm has partnered with the Atlanta BeltLine to make sure residential development remains attainable and equity continues to be built along the trail development. Al Edwards, Founder & CEO of Corporate Environmental Risk Management (CERM) and the 2022 Chairman of the Council for Quality Growth, will join to discuss galvanizing the Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) community to support the Atlanta BeltLine’s development efforts. Anna Roach, Executive Director of the Atlanta Regional Commission, will moderate this small business panel.

ABI and ABP have collaborated since 2005 to develop a 22-mile multi-use urban trail, transit, and park system connecting Atlanta’s neighborhoods, creating jobs, developing affordable housing, adding greenspace, showcasing arts and culture, and engaging the communities it reaches. The Atlanta BeltLine project has been a significant source of economic development and quality growth for the City of Atlanta and is on track for completion by 2030.