Eloisa Klementich, President & CEO, Invest Atlanta

In an interview with Focus:, Eloisa Klementich, president and CEO of Invest Atlanta, discussed key drivers shaping the city’s economic future, including innovation, housing, equitable growth, and small-business support. “Innovation is not just a trend. It is a foundation for business sustainability and job creation,” Klementich said.

What have been the most significant changes at Invest Atlanta over the past year?
Three key areas stand out. First is our continued success in attracting research centers. Most recently, Shriners Children’s chose Atlanta for its first pediatric medical research facility, bringing 470 jobs and $153 million in new investment. Duracell also expanded with a global headquarters and R&D center. Atlanta now hosts 40 corporate innovation centers. These are not academic institutions, but companies that recognize that innovation often thrives in smaller, agile environments.

Second, we’ve taken a more direct approach to combating food insecurity. With about 14% of Atlanta residents facing food insecurity, we’ve shifted from solely trying to attract large grocers to also creating our own. With city support, we’re opening grocery stores downtown and on Campbellton Road, a disinvested area. We’re also backing innovative models like Goodr, which provides affordable access to food at Goodr locations across the city.

We’re also supporting a project with the Atlanta Food Bank that includes both retail and pantry space and backing a minority- and woman-owned company that developed an automated, self-service neighborhood market concept with fresh, healthy food. All of this falls under a strategy with five pillars: working with existing grocers, attracting new ones, developing city-run grocery stores, leveraging innovation, and offering technical assistance.

Third is entrepreneurship. Last year, we supported more than 1,845 small businesses with $14.8 million in grants and loans. We’re preparing local businesses for large-scale events like the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup, including women-owned businesses through our Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative.

How are these investments benefiting neighborhoods and residents directly?
Neighborhood investment remains a priority for Mayor Andre Dickens and the City Council. We’re using targeted tools and working with Fulton County to expand them to improve infrastructure and amenities like walkability, storefront facades, and grocery access, so residents don’t have to travel far for basic needs. We’re also evaluating how to support neighborhood health needs. It’s about building complete, livable communities.

How are small-business support efforts translating into job growth and economic development?
We track the number of jobs created and retained. About 60% of the businesses we assist are Black-, women-, or minority-owned, which is crucial because local businesses tend to hire locally. Last year, we helped create or retain 4,433 jobs and supported 1,845 businesses. We also helped finance 2,475 affordable housing units. Under Mayor Andre Dickens and the City Council, housing continues to be a central focus by ensuring it remains both accessible and affordable.

What impact has the recent investment had on affordable housing in Atlanta?
Atlanta ranks at the top among major cities for bringing affordable housing units online, according to a recent report, in which the key takeaway is how the city is stepping in financially.

Our housing opportunity bond program helps developers fill capital gaps and positions the city as a partner. It’s a strong commitment, and while more is still needed, it shows Atlanta is moving aggressively to expand affordable housing options.

Where are the greatest opportunities for residents to access living-wage jobs and career advancement?
Atlanta’s economic diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Unlike some cities, Atlanta isn’t dependent on one or two sectors, which opens a broad range of career opportunities. Engineering and health care are growing steadily. In the broader region, transportation and logistics are creating well-paying jobs accessible to those with or without advanced degrees. The city’s range of corporate headquarters allows residents to pursue varied career paths, which continues to make Atlanta an attractive place to live and work.

What recent market changes have had an impact on Invest Atlanta’s operations?
Federal-level changes are significantly affecting cities. As programs are cut, there is an expectation that states will fill the gaps, but the funding simply is not there. In Atlanta, a large portion of the workforce is tied to federal agencies such as the CDC, HUD, and the DOT. The ripple effects are already being felt across local organizations, including ours.

Beyond funding concerns, what other challenges are shaping the business and economic landscape in Atlanta?
Like many cities, we need more venture capital to support entrepreneurs. Even more urgently, we need angel capital, which is essential for helping early-stage businesses get off the ground. To close this gap, we are actively working to increase both angel and venture capital activity in the region.

How is technology and innovation supporting economic and business development in Atlanta?
Atlanta ranks high for Fortune 500 headquarters, making innovation essential for long-term growth. Companies — like people — grow, mature, and either reinvent or decline. Innovation and R&D drive that reinvention. Atlanta’s network of corporate innovation centers helps by providing access to talent, housing, diversity, and creative energy. Institutions such as the Atlanta University Center add to a rich talent pool. Here, innovation is not only a trend, but a foundation for business sustainability and job creation.

Where are the strongest investment opportunities in Atlanta right now?
Atlanta is one of the most connected cities in the United States. About 80% of the country is reachable in under two hours by a direct flight, which attracts strong international interest.

Fintech is a particularly strong sector. Every time someone swipes a card, there is a good chance that the transaction is processed through systems based in Atlanta. This global reach, combined with our financial infrastructure, has made fintech a major area for growth and international investment.

How is population growth and demographic change affecting development opportunities in Atlanta?
I am an optimist, and I see the recent dip in population as a temporary shift related to post-COVID lifestyle and work changes. People usually choose where to live based on affordability and quality of life, and Atlanta offers both. The city has arts, entertainment, sports, the Beltline, and relatively affordable housing. With strong job opportunities, mild winters, and convenient air travel, Atlanta remains attractive to both individuals and businesses.

How is Invest Atlanta working to ensure equitable development across all neighborhoods?
This is a tough but essential issue, and we’ve approached it intentionally. As a team, we asked: If a senior on fixed income lives in a neighborhood that’s becoming more desirable, what might force them out?

We identified two major risks: rising property taxes and declining home conditions. In response, with Mayor Andre Dickens’ support, we launched two programs. The first caps seniors’ property taxes at their current rate for 20 years. If taxes go up, the difference is covered by a dedicated fund. The second is our owner-occupied rehab program. If someone has a leaking roof, lead paint, or mobility issues, we make those repairs at no cost. People should move because they want to, not because they have no choice. We are now expanding both programs.

Equity also means supporting small businesses through access to capital, technical assistance, and affordable space. Many business owners don’t realize they’re responsible for HVAC and other costs in commercial leases, so we provide education on lease terms and business operations. We’ve also negotiated below-market-rate rents for startups, much like affordable housing. In some cases, we’ve purchased commercial properties ourselves and then leased them directly to disadvantaged businesses to help them grow.

What major projects are transforming downtown Atlanta?
Six major projects are reshaping downtown: The Stitch, Underground Atlanta, 2 Peachtree, South Downtown, Centennial Yards, and the Civic Center. Combined, they represent $22 billion in economic impact, more than 4,000 jobs, and over 8,400 housing units.

These developments will change the fabric of downtown with thousands of new residents. Centennial Yards is already under construction with four cranes on site. Underground Atlanta is active. 2 Peachtree, which Invest Atlanta leads, is progressing. South Downtown is set to open before the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Civic Center, led by Atlanta Housing, is also moving forward.