Mayor Mike Mason and City Manager Brian Johnson were on hand Thursday evening to welcome some 100 guests and to participate in a ribbon-cutting event to celebrate the opening of the French-American Chamber of Commerce’s (FACC) new offices in the Curiosity Lab Innovation Center.

The FACC had announced earlier this year plans to relocate its offices to Peachtree Corners. The move was combined with the announcement that La French Tech Atlanta, a French government-supported ecosystem of startups, investors, decision-makers, and community builders – will expand collaboration with Peachtree Corners as they guide companies looking to develop technologies and expand into North America.

“French Tech Atlanta and FACC are delighted to join the Curiosity Lab and overall Peachtree Corners smart city ecosystem,” said French Tech Atlanta president Sebastien Lafon in a release. “This will enable French startups to collaborate with many innovators and prove out their technology in a unique and live environment, with real city-owned connected infrastructure that cannot be replicated in a laboratory.”

The French-American Chamber’s move from its previous location inside the French Consulate was made to better facilitate its growing interest in establishing collaborative environments in North America.  La French Tech Atlanta was awarded accreditation in April by the French Government recognizing Metro Atlanta’s rise as a primary destination for international tech companies, experts, and investors.

“We are very happy to welcome the French-American Chamber of Commerce and La French Tech Atlanta to Peachtree Corners,” said City Manager Brian Johnson, “and we look forward to working with French emerging technology businesses to help them realize their full potential.”

“It is indeed a delight and privilege to be part of this celebration to help facilitate the advancement of developing technologies with our new French partners through the use of the city’s 5G and IoT technology, smart city, and connected vehicle infrastructure, and autonomous vehicle test track,” said Mayor Mason during the ribbon-cutting event.