About 1,500 metro Atlanta leaders attended the Atlanta Regional Commission’s 2025 State of the Region event today to take stock of metro Atlanta and explore key regional challenges through the theme of “Innovation Unleashed.”

In her State of the Region address, ARC Executive Director & CEO Anna Roach said new ideas and fresh approaches are key to moving the region forward in the years to come.

“I want to encourage all of you to keep striving and keep innovating. This is essential. No one can tell with any certainty what the future will hold. But we do know that change will be a constant,” she said. “Tackling tomorrow’s challenges will require a spirit of ingenuity. A tolerance for risk. The ability to shift and be nimble. Not to mention old-fashioned grit and determination. I know that all of you, and our great region, have what it takes to unleash innovation, now and in the years to come.”

The State of the Region featured a “keynote conversation” with Roach, Delta CEO Ed Bastian, and ARC Chairman Andre Dickens, who also serves as Mayor of the City of Atlanta. The three leaders held a wide-ranging discussion that touched on collaboration, innovation, and workforce development.

“It seems like we are saturated here in the United States, but only one in five people in the world have ever stepped foot on an airplane. Think about that,” Bastian said. “So that informs me where we are going to go. We need to make travel accessible. We need to make it more affordable. And we need to make it more sustainable, all around the world.”

Metro Atlanta Speaks Survey Shows Housing Affordability is Region’s Top Concern

ARC today also released results from the 2025 Metro Atlanta Speaks public opinion survey, which found housing affordability is the Atlanta region’s top concern. When asked about the biggest problem facing metro Atlanta, 28 % of the respondents said the economy, followed by traffic at 24%, and crime and the economy at 13%.

This is the first year that housing affordability was offered as a choice to this survey question. Last year, the economy was the region’s top concern, followed by crime.

Other survey highlights:

• Housing affordability remains a concern for many: More than six in 10 respondents (62%) said they could not afford to move to another house or apartment in their current neighborhood, about the same as last year.

• Builders and investors viewed as main causes of housing affordability challenges: In a new question this year, 44% of respondents said the main cause of the region’s housing affordability challenge is developers building units that are too expensive , followed by investors buying up homes to rent out (35%).

• Mixed views on impact of AI: In new questions involving artificial intelligence, 61% of survey respondents said they believe AI technology will increase productivity, and about half (49%) said AI will make life easier. But nearly three in four respondents (73%) said AI will decrease the number of available jobs.

• Worry over economy grows: Over half of respondents (53%) said it’s a bad time to find a well-paying job, an increase from last year (41%), the first year we asked this question.

What’s Next ATL Talks: Exploring Innovation and Ideas

Brookhaven Mayor John Park delivered a What’s Next ATL talk that explored the bold moves and innovative ideas driving progress in the city.

He talked about how the city has invested in infrastructure projects that have reduced flooding and provided new green space and multi-use trails to connect the community. He spotlighted the Peachtree Creek Greenway, which he said provides a “peaceful and scenic escape within a busy urban area.”

“We took the Peachtree Creek Greenway off the drawing board and built it within two years. In Brookhaven, we get things done, and get things done quickly. It is a critical piece of infrastructure for transportation and recreation, connecting communities and offering residents access to trails close to home and work.”

Mayor Park also discussed the city’s commitment to smart development and affordable housing. He highlighted several notable projects: Third and Urban, a mixed-use development that will include restaurants, senior housing, and activity centers; and a 120-unit affordable housing complex on city-owned property that is being developed in partnership with the DeKalb Housing Authority.

“I’d love to say that as Mayor, I am responsible for all these wonderful things. But you know as well as I do, it’s only possible through a shared vision and a sustained commitment,” he said.  “When citizens and elected leaders in government work together, communities can thrive.”

Regional Excellence Awards Honors Innovative Projects, Places, and Plans

This year’s Regional Excellence Award winners show how bold ideas, and visionary thinking can transform a community. The 2025 winners are:

 Visionary Planning: Clayton County for the Tara Boulevard LCI Study

This ambitious study reimagines an 11-mile, car-centric corridor into a multimodal, people-focused destination. Developed through a strong partnership between Aerotropolis Atlanta, Clayton County, the Cities of Jonesboro and Lovejoy, and ARC, the plan envisions Tara Boulevard as a safe, welcoming place to live, work, and play – connecting communities and supporting sustainable growth.

Great Place: Old Rucker Farm in Alpharetta

This former commercial nursery has blossomed into a community hub for sustainable agriculture and education. Home to gardens, an apiary, chicken coop, orchard, greenhouse, and outdoor classroom, Old Rucker Farm is the centerpiece of Alpharetta’s City Agriculture Plan. The farm fosters shared learning and connection, creating a place rooted in sustainability and equity.

Livable Center: The City of Johns Creek for the Johns Creek Town Center LCI

This 192-acre redevelopment is transforming a traditional office park into a walkable downtown hub of housing, retail, and green space. Anchored in health, wellness, and innovation, the Town Center is becoming a gathering place for the community – designed with extensive engagement that is already making its vision a reality.

Innovative Development: Pennrose and Mercy Care for McAuley Station

This $50 million mixed-income development delivers 170 modern apartments alongside supportive housing for the homeless and transitional units for patients in need of care. Residents benefit from direct access to healthcare, a wide range of on-site amenities, and proximity to MARTA, the BeltLine, and downtown Atlanta.

Honorable Mention: The City of Douglasville for the Town Green and GreyStone Amphitheater

By transforming a former county jail site into a vibrant public space with a new amphitheater, park, and event venue, Douglasville has turned a deterrent into a destination – a shining example of resilience, equity, and downtown renewal.

Harry West Visionary Leadership Award Presented to Kathy N. Waller

The Atlanta Regional Commission presented the 2025 Harry West Visionary Leadership Award to Kathy N. Waller, Executive Director of the Atlanta Committee for Progress and former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Coca-Cola Company. Waller was recognized for her extraordinary leadership across Atlanta’s business, civic, and nonprofit communities, and for her lifelong commitment to integrity, mentorship, and service.

Throughout her distinguished career, Waller has helped shape the future of both corporate and community institutions. She serves on the boards of Delta Air Lines, Beyond Meat, CGI Inc., and the Woodruff Arts Center, where she now chairs the Board of Trustees. She also lends her expertise to Spelman College, the University of Rochester, the United Way of Greater Atlanta, and the Rotary Club of Atlanta, where she serves as president.

“Kathy exemplifies the balance of strategic leadership and community stewardship that this award represents,” said ARC Executive Director and CEO Anna Roach. “She reminds us that excellence in the boardroom must be matched by service to the community, and she has done both with distinction.”