A bold vision to reposition one of metro Atlanta’s most important industrial corridors for greater investment, business growth, and economic opportunity has evolved into an internationally recognized model for economic development. 

Select Fulton have received two 2026 Excellence in Economic Development Awards from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) for Renew the District, the County’s transformational initiative to revitalize the Fulton Industrial Boulevard corridor.

Renew the District earned a Silver Award for Multi-Year Collaborative Economic Development and a Bronze Award for Neighborhood Development, both in the population category for communities with more than 500,000 residents. The dual honors recognize a transformation years in the making, one that combines strategic public investment, blight removal, infrastructure modernization, commercial redevelopment and public-private collaboration to position Fulton Industrial for its next era of economic growth.

In partnership with the City of South Fulton and the Fulton Industrial Community Improvement District (CID), Fulton County has advanced a collaborative approach to revitalizing the Fulton Industrial corridor, leveraging public and private resources to strengthen infrastructure, attract investment, support businesses, and position the area for long-term economic growth. For generations, Fulton Industrial Boulevard has served as one of metro Atlanta’s most significant employment and industrial centers. Today, the district encompasses more than 55 million square feet of commercial space and supports approximately 26,000 jobs, making it the largest concentration of industrial space in metro Atlanta and one of the largest in the United States.

Yet the corridor’s economic importance existed alongside aging infrastructure, long-vacant properties and areas of persistent blight.

Fulton County chose not simply to address individual properties, but to rethink the future of the district.  Renew the District emerged as a comprehensive strategy centered on three interconnected priorities: commercial revitalization, investment in modern public services, and renewal of the Fulton County Executive Airport.

Since 2022, Fulton County has strategically acquired and demolished five underutilized hotel properties, the Airways Motel, Executive Inn, Super Inn, Red Roof Inn and Knights Inn. Their removal cleared more than 17 acres of land for future redevelopment near the Fulton Industrial Boulevard and Interstate 20 gateway.  The February 2026 demolition of the former Knights Inn marked the completion of that major phase of the initiative and transformed sites once associated with disinvestment into assets positioned for new private investment, businesses and jobs. 

Renew the District has grown into a $180 million-plus redevelopment initiative, leveraging major investments to improve public infrastructure, safety, quality of place and the long-term competitiveness of the corridor.  Investments include:

• More than $40 million for the new 50,000-square-foot Fulton County Animal Services facility;
• More than $11 million for the Fulton County Public Safety Training Center;
• More than $3 million for a new Fire Rescue Station at Fulton County Executive Airport;
• More than $40 million in Executive Airport improvements, including runway, taxiway, safety and facility upgrades; and
• More than $10 million dedicated to targeted acquisition and demolition of blighted properties.

Together, these investments are helping reposition Fulton Industrial as a competitive destination for advanced manufacturing, logistics and innovation-driven industries while creating new possibilities for the residents, workers and businesses that call the area home.

The IEDC Silver Award for Multi-Year Collaborative Economic Development highlights a defining feature of Renew the District: transformation on this scale does not happen through the work of one department, agency or organization. The initiative reflects years of collaboration among Fulton County leadership, Select Fulton, the Fulton Industrial Community Improvement District, public agencies, municipalities, business leaders and private-sector partners, all working toward a stronger and more competitive economic future for the corridor.

“This recognition demonstrates what is possible when economic development is approached as a long-term commitment to people, place, and partnership,” says Samir Abdullahi, Director, Select Fulton. “Fulton Industrial has always been an important economic engine. Renew the District is building upon that history while creating the infrastructure, redevelopment opportunities and environment necessary to compete for the industries and jobs of tomorrow.”

“Fulton County’s recognition by the International Economic Development Council reflects our continued commitment to creating opportunity, attracting investment, and building a strong, inclusive economy. These awards are a testament to the innovative work of Select Fulton and the partnerships that are moving our communities forward,” adds Robb Pitts, Chairman, Fulton County Board of Commissioners. “We are proud to see Fulton County’s economic development leadership recognized on the international stage.”

The International Economic Development Council is the world’s largest association for economic development professionals. Its annual Excellence in Economic Development Awards recognize projects, organizations and leaders demonstrating innovation, impact and leadership in strengthening communities and economies.  In 2026, IEDC selected 226 award recipients across 26 categories from communities and organizations around the world.

The recognition comes during a landmark year for IEDC as the organization celebrates its 100th anniversary, placing Fulton County’s work among initiatives IEDC says are helping shape the next century of economic development.

Fulton County’s two awards will be formally recognized during the 2026 IEDC Annual Conference, October 25–28 in New Orleans, Louisiana. For Select Fulton, the recognition also comes amid growing international attention for Fulton County’s economic development performance. In 2026, Fulton County was ranked No. 7 nationally and No. 1 in the Southeast for total economic development projects by Site Selection magazine, marking the County’s third consecutive year as the Southeast’s top-ranked county.

The two IEDC awards add another distinction, the work continues. With the five former hotel sites cleared and more than 17 acres positioned for redevelopment, Fulton County and its partners are advancing the next chapter of Renew the District: attracting new investment, supporting existing businesses, strengthening infrastructure and positioning the corridor for long-term economic competitiveness.  The story of Fulton Industrial is no longer simply one of renewal. It is becoming an international model for what sustained investment, collaboration and vision can accomplish.  For more information about Renew the District, visit:  https://www.fultoncountyga.gov/inside-fulton-county/fulton-county-initiatives/renew-the-district.