Jeff Taylor, CEO of MedCura Health, sat down with Focus: to discuss the organization’s strategic expansion, evolving patient needs, funding challenges, and the growing role of community health centers in delivering accessible, comprehensive care. “Given the current political climate, which appears to be shifting toward reduced government subsidies for medical services, the role of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) is becoming even more critical. Many people simply don’t know where to turn for care, and that’s where we step in,” Taylor said.

What have been the most significant changes at MedCura Health over the past year, and how have those shifts impacted your patients and your organization?

We’ve spent a great deal of time and effort expanding our services to the community, whether that means opening new locations or adding new offerings. It’s interesting because our organization includes multiple specialties. From the outside, that looks impressive, but managing those specialties and new sites as they come online has been one of our biggest adjustments over the past year. We’ve also been focused on keeping pace with the constant changes in healthcare. That includes evolving quality measures, shifting government policies that affect funding, and changes in reimbursement structures for health centers. These have been key areas of attention for us as we work to stay aligned with our mission and vision.

What trends are emerging in patient needs across your service areas, especially in terms of access, chronic conditions, and preventive care?

I recently spoke with one of our doctors about patient access, not only to the services we provide but also to resources beyond our scope. Often, patients come to us with needs outside our offerings and don’t know where to turn. We have an enabling services department and referral sources to help guide them, but the greatest need we’ve seen lately is in behavioral health. People are dealing with a lot, whether it’s searching for a job or simply coping with daily life. We’re also seeing many patients who are deeply immersed in social media, where they often receive medical “advice.” That presents a challenge for our doctors, who must navigate those influences during appointments. It’s a wide range of issues, and with healthcare evolving so rapidly, our organization is continually working to adapt. Our goal is to ensure we’re providing effective referral resources and support systems that meet patients where they are.

How are demographic and population health shifts shaping the way you plan and prioritize care delivery?

While the elderly population continues to grow, we’re also seeing a decline in pediatric practices. As a result, many families whose providers have closed or relocated are now turning to us for care. Pediatrics remains a significant portion of our patient base, and that hasn’t changed much over the years. Even with the increase in older patients, our younger population is also expanding, and we’re continuing to meet the needs of both groups.

How do you view the evolving role of community health centers in the broader healthcare landscape?

Community health centers across the country serve 33 million patients annually, making us the largest primary care system in the United States, larger than any other provider network nationwide. At MedCura, we care for about 35,000 patients each year, and we expect that number to grow. Given the current political climate, which appears to be shifting toward reduced government subsidies for medical services, the role of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) is becoming even more critical. Many people simply don’t know where to turn for care, and that’s where we step in.

One of our priorities is to monitor patients who are visiting emergency rooms for primary care needs. Those individuals can be better served by a health center instead, and we’re working closely with hospitals to ensure patients are aware of the services we offer so they can receive the right care in the right setting.

What are you seeing in terms of competition from private urgent care and retail clinics, and how does MedCura position itself as a trusted provider in that environment?

We recently expanded our hours to better meet the needs of the community. Previously, we were open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the week and four hours on Saturdays. Now, we operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. While urgent care facilities serve an important role, our philosophy is centered on providing a medical home. Unlike urgent care or minute clinics, which focus on immediate, short-term needs, in addition to those services, we aim to support patients with chronic conditions, preventive care, and long-term wellness. Our niche is more holistic. We want to be the place where patients enter a system of care that helps them get and stay healthy. Our vision is leading people to exceptional health, and by offering comprehensive services and a true medical home, we believe we’re making that vision a reality.

How are you thinking about long-term workforce sustainability, especially given the challenges in recruiting and retaining clinical talent?

If I can figure that out, I might be able to do a whole lot of good for everyone. We’re connected to the Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources and Services Administration. Increasing funding to help retain providers would be helpful. Recruitment and retention require serious conversations around work-life balance for medical professionals. We’re also focused on monitoring our turnover rate and making sure we’re performing at least slightly better, ideally much better, than national averages.

Another priority is building stronger ties with medical schools, positioning ourselves as a training site for students. That way, when they graduate and enter the workforce, they’re already familiar with our organization. Many students don’t even know what community health centers are, and that’s where federal funding plays a key role, especially with loan repayment programs for doctors who choose to work in facilities like ours. Continuing to promote these opportunities to schools and providers will be essential to our long-term success.

Are there any signs that virtual care or digital tools are meaningfully improving access or outcomes for your patient base?

We believe these efforts are valuable because they give us more touchpoints with our patients, especially those facing transportation challenges. It’s easy for many of us to jump in a car, but for patients without family support, relying on public transportation can mean spending two hours getting here and another two hours getting home. That’s a significant burden. We need to stay mindful of these realities and make sure we’re addressing them consistently in our daily interactions with patients.

What partnerships or community collaborations have been most instrumental in extending your impact or expanding your reach?

Through our partnership with Emory Healthcare and DeKalb County schools, we’ve established school-based health centers in several locations, each staffed with a provider five days a week. These centers function as small, onsite doctor’s offices and have proven to be incredibly meaningful for families. One major benefit is our video visit capability, which allows parents to join appointments remotely. Instead of taking four hours off work to transport their child to and from a doctor’s office, they can take just 30 minutes for the visit and return to work, saving valuable time and income. This partnership has enabled us to be onsite and accessible, streamlining care for students and making the entire system more efficient for families and schools alike.

What are the most promising shifts you’re seeing at the intersection of public health and primary care, especially in high-need urban areas?

It’s tough to keep those conversations going. We often get caught up in our day-to-day operations, working in silos, and before we know it, significant time has passed since we last connected with a community partner. Keeping the dialogue open is essential. The Atlanta Regional Commission for Healthcare Institutes (ARCHI) plays a key role in bringing healthcare leaders together so we can have meaningful conversations. We need to do more of that because there are definitely linkages in the system that aren’t as smooth as they should be.

As you look ahead to the next three to five years, what are your top strategic priorities?

One of our biggest priorities is staying present in the community and creating more access points for our patients. The closer we are to them, the better care they can receive. We’re constantly exploring opportunities for strategic consolidation within the healthcare community to strengthen our reach and impact. Continued expansion, whether through new locations or extended hours, is essential. These are the kinds of steps we must take to ensure we’re meeting the evolving needs of the people we serve.

In an interview with Focus:, Jamie Shepherd, CEO of the Shepherd Center, discussed what specialized neurological rehabilitation can bring for patients. “We are working to partner with people who potentially will find a cure for paralysis, multiple sclerosis, or ways to help traumatic brain injury heal more efficiently,” Shepherd noted. 

What recent changes have most influenced the direction of the center?

We opened two new buildings last year. The Arthur M. Blank Family Residences supports our patients’ families when they are with us. Half our patients come from outside the state of Georgia, and we’re pleased to provide donor-funded housing for the entire length of their loved ones’ stay. Marcus Center for Advanced Rehabilitation has consolidated our research efforts, which were scattered around the facility. We were able to start an innovation institute, as well. We are excited about what it brings to our organization, and to the region. We were also able to offload some of our other departments to the new building, so we can expand and renovate our current facility. Our big 50th anniversary was celebrated last August, and we had some personnel transitions after the previous CEO’s and CFO’s retirement. 

What is your vision in balancing the center’s legacy with the shifting demands of the healthcare environment?

The healthcare environment is ever-changing, and very challenging. We’re proud of the last 50 years. We look forward to taking it to even higher levels over the next 50, becoming a specialized institution that focuses heavily on neurological rehabilitation, brain injury, spinal cord injury, and other neuro-related conditions, through our innovation institute, partnerships, and more product development. We are working to partner with people who potentially will find a cure for paralysis, multiple sclerosis, or ways to help traumatic brain injury heal more efficiently. Another unit is being added to the expanding inpatient capacity, which is going from 152 beds to 175 beds. It is about improving access to specialized care in this population. We believe we’re the best in the country at taking care of these patients, so we want to give them access to our care. 

What are the emerging trends in specialized neurological rehabilitation?

Historically, the No. 1 reason that brings patients here has been car crashes. While that remains true for the patients we admit, falls have become the leading cause for referrals to our center. As the population ages, perhaps falls will be the leading cause of spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury. There’s potential opportunity through AI that hopefully will make real breakthroughs on the science side in this space, which will change patients’ lives for the better. 

How are you navigating potential hurdles in the economy?

The center is not consuming a significantly major amount of resources, compared to an acute care hospital that’s doing a bunch of surgeries and has a huge supply budget. However, inflation does affect us. Historically, our supplies would increase about 2% a year. Now, we’ve seen it increase about 5% a year. It makes us work smarter because we’re not getting the reimbursement, in most cases, to overtake and overcome that increase in supply costs.

How will the Beyond Therapy program influence future programming?

A lot of what we’re able to do is dictated by what insurance covers. Beyond Therapy, however, is a self-paid program, and we certainly have scholarship spots available. We are able to let the patients tell us their goals, and give them a lot more flexibility to try new things. Beyond Therapy partners with our innovation institute to set trials and move the needle in different ways. It’s an incredible program, and a big differentiator for us.

How has the long-term wellness service affected patients?

In the past, people thought that patients with multiple sclerosis needed to rest and not exert themselves. We’ve proven through research that it’s just the opposite. It’s great for most patients to exercise, especially for multiple sclerosis patients. Our donor-funded wellness program tracks and studies how our patients are doing through wearable devices. We try to keep our patients as active as they can be to fight the progression of multiple sclerosis. 

How do you recruit and retain the specialized workforce for the center?

It’s still an incredible challenge, though it’s gotten better since COVID. We are seeing fewer agencies and traveling personnel. Furthermore, in a big urban city like Atlanta, there’s a hospital every couple of miles away from another. We have to really value our employees, treat them well, pay them fairly, and take care of them. Otherwise, they’re going to go down the street to what they think is a better place. We’re very intentional about how we treat our employees. They’re the most valuable resources we have. We also try to bring people in when they’re in school, especially technicians, nurses, and residents who can complete their practicum and get exposure here. Specialized rehab is a unique journey that allows us to form a close bond with the patients, and it draws certain types of people. The exposure people get, through tours, residency, or interning, helps us identify the next great leaders, and hire the best culture fit. 

What are your top priorities for the next few years?

Our top priority is to finish what we started, including the $72 million in renovations to be completed over the next two years. We need to then look at our processes, and make sure they’re efficient, as well as adaptive. The world is changing quicker than ever, and we can’t rest on what we’re doing today or yesterday. We have to change with the industry and keep up, whether from a legislative or a technology perspective. 

We’re exceptionally proud to be a top rehab hospital in the country for the past 30 years. Being an independent nonprofit hospital, people don’t come here because we are a part of a system. We don’t have referral agreements. They come here because they choose to, because we’re the best in the world at what we do. We have 20 programs that insurance doesn’t cover, but for which our foundation raises tens of millions of dollars every year because we think it’s the right thing to do for our patients, and it provides them with the best outcomes.

In an interview with Focus:, David Jones, chief medical officer at Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, discussed affordability, digital innovation, value-based care, and health equity as the company’s top strategic drivers. “Meaningful progress will only come through strong partnerships and collective action,” Jones said.

What shifts have most impacted the organization’s strategy across Georgia?

Several key shifts have shaped our strategy. At the macro level, the economic climate has affected everyone, including health care. That has made it even more important to stay closely connected with providers, system partners, and members to understand the impact of rising costs and help people maintain coverage.

Healthcare costs, long a concern, have accelerated, contributing to what many now describe as a health care affordability crisis. This is particularly evident in Atlanta, where it affects the entire system.

Expanded coverage through the Affordable Care Act and other plans has increased access, which is a positive development. However, greater coverage typically leads to higher utilization, which can drive costs. Even so, it means more people are receiving necessary care. At the same time, we are seeing higher acuity across the population, with more complex conditions requiring frequent or intensive care, a trend reflected across the industry.

Behavioral health needs are also increasing, representing another major shift influencing our strategy. Finally, changes at the federal level affecting Medicaid and Medicare eligibility, along with potential adjustments to ACA subsidies, require us to remain agile and responsive. Our goal is to help people maintain or gain coverage despite this uncertainty.

What is Anthem doing to improve affordability, access, and quality of care across Georgia?

Our approach is grounded in a whole-health strategy that supports members’ physical health, both acute and chronic, as well as behavioral health and social drivers of health. All three are essential to improving affordability, access, and quality.

Behavioral health is now recognized as equally important as physical health, as each can significantly influence the other. A serious physical illness can lead to anxiety or depression, and untreated behavioral health conditions can worsen physical outcomes.

Social factors also play a major role. Approximately 80% of health outcomes are influenced by factors outside the clinical setting. Where people live, their access to food, transportation, and support systems all matter. Addressing those realities is critical to helping people stay healthy.

What trends are shaping how care is delivered in Georgia?

Care delivery is increasingly focused on providing the right care, at the right time, in the right setting. That includes shifting services from inpatient settings to outpatient care or even into the home through hospital-at-home models. These changes improve both quality and cost efficiency.

From the employer perspective, since many people receive coverage through work, there is growing interest in alternative health plans that complement traditional offerings and give employers and employees more control over cost and access. Even in major metro areas like Atlanta, same-day or next-day access to primary care can be challenging, and these models help fill that gap.

Employers are also seeking clearer data on which programs deliver measurable results. We continue to refine our analytics to provide sharper insights into what is working and to what degree. Predictability is another major need. As cost trends rise, employers want more frequent and accurate forecasts, not just annually, but quarterly, so they can respond proactively.

What are the most promising opportunities to expand value-based care in Georgia?

Value-based care is central to the future of health care. Unlike fee-for-service models that reward volume, value-based care aligns payment with outcomes, including quality, cost, and patient experience.

Nearly 70% of our providers participate in some form of value-based arrangement, making ours the largest value-based network in the state. The opportunity now is to expand these models further and refine incentives to support better outcomes and greater cost efficiency.

While most value-based care has focused on primary care, there is strong potential to extend these models into specialty care. Doing so would reduce unnecessary services, improve coordination, and enhance outcomes. We also see opportunities to design benefits that encourage members to choose providers participating in value-based care, as these providers consistently deliver stronger preventive care, better chronic disease management, and fewer hospitalizations.

How is Anthem using technology and AI to improve health care delivery and the member experience?

Our Sydney app is a cornerstone of our digital strategy. It is user-friendly, highly functional, and widely recognized across the industry. Sydney allows members to access care easily through their mobile devices.

Beyond viewing benefits, members can schedule virtual visits, locate nearby urgent care centers, and search for primary care providers based on language or demographic preferences. The app also sends reminders for preventive screenings, and we continue to expand its functionality.

Artificial intelligence also plays a growing role in our operations. We use AI thoughtfully to enhance accuracy, service, and personalization while maintaining privacy and safety. AI helps streamline customer service, improve claims accuracy, and personalize care, allowing us to deliver more targeted outreach and resources based on individual needs rather than broad population data.

We also leverage HealthOS, our data-sharing platform, which aggregates information from multiple sources and integrates it into providers’ electronic medical records. This gives clinicians a more complete view of a patient’s history, including care received outside their system, improving coordination and outcomes.

What strategies is Anthem using to address health disparities and promote equity in rural and urban communities?

Equity is embedded in how we operate. Rather than treating it as a standalone initiative, we apply an equity lens across all decision-making. One key avenue is our foundation, which funds programs aimed at reducing disparities in care.

Maternal and child health is a major focus. Georgia has some of the highest maternal morbidity rates in the country, and we support care access before, during, and after pregnancy, along with pediatric services. These efforts have helped reduce preterm births and other complications.

In rural communities, we supported a doula training program through a medical school, preparing 25 to 30 local advocates to provide care in underserved areas. Doula support has been shown to reduce hypertension, improve birth outcomes, and support postpartum recovery.

We also emphasize food as medicine. Nutrition plays a critical role in preventing and managing chronic conditions, and we support programs that expand access to healthy food and address food insecurity in both rural and urban communities, including metro Atlanta.

What are Anthem’s top priorities over the next three to five years?

Our priorities remain focused on affordability, outcomes, and simplicity.

Affordability is one of the most pressing challenges in health care. Even if cost growth slows, the impact on individuals remains significant, and managing affordability will continue to be a top priority.

Improving outcomes is equally critical and begins with access. Whether care is virtual or in person, barriers remain, even in urban areas where transportation or logistics can limit access. Removing those barriers is essential.

We are also focused on simplifying the health care system. Its complexity creates frustration for members, providers, and administrators. Through responsible use of AI and improved data-sharing platforms, we aim to make the system more connected, transparent, and easier to navigate.

How is Anthem collaborating with providers and other stakeholders to improve care and address long-term challenges?

Strong collaboration is essential. We view payers and providers as part of a single, interdependent ecosystem. The closer we work together, the better the outcomes.

Our collaboration extends beyond contracts. We engage regularly with providers to understand the challenges their patients face. Since those patients are also our members, these insights help shape more effective solutions. When an issue appears in one setting, we often see it elsewhere, allowing us to identify scalable interventions and outreach strategies.

Addressing long-term challenges such as rising costs and persistent disparities requires shared responsibility among payers, providers, employers, members, and communities. Meaningful progress will only come through strong partnerships and collective action.

In an interview with Focus:, Maria Thacker Goethe, President and CEO of Georgia Life Sciences, said that collaboration, workforce development, and strategic investment are critical to sustaining Georgia’s momentum in the life sciences sector. “Georgia has every ingredient necessary to lead — world-class academic institutions, diverse communities, available land, excellent weather, affordable living, and unmatched supply chain capacity. But without increased public investment, we risk falling behind. The opportunity is enormous, but it’s ours to lose if we don’t act decisively,” Thacker Goethe said.

What major changes have influenced Georgia Life Sciences’ top priorities and the way you engage with members and partners in the past year?

It’s truly been a year of growth and transformation for us as an organization. We began by rebranding, after more than 25 years as Georgia Bio, we became Georgia Life Sciences to better reflect our evolving ecosystem. The shift was driven by the growing inclusion of medical device and medtech partners alongside our traditional biotech base.

Today, the life sciences sector in Georgia contributes more than $33 billion to our state’s economy and includes nearly 4,000 companies and organizations. With that scale, our focus has been on strengthening connections across the full life sciences spectrum, from biotechnology and medical devices to agri-food and public health, particularly given our state’s unique proximity to the CDC.

Our goal is to ensure these communities are connected with one another and with the resources they need to grow, while also advocating for the policies and programs that enable their success. The past year has really been about deepening those connections and amplifying the collective voice of Georgia’s life sciences industry. 

What major national trends in the life sciences industry do you see having the biggest impact on Georgia in the next few years?

One of the biggest national shifts we’re seeing is the growing number of headwinds facing the life sciences industry. Federal policy changes and ongoing tariff uncertainties are contributing to investor caution, especially among early-stage companies. Even so, Georgia continues to experience strong growth in biomanufacturing, medical device production, and workforce development.

We’re fortunate to have an incredibly proactive Department of Economic Development that recognizes the sector’s potential. Nationally, there’s a major movement toward reshoring manufacturing — and Georgia is exceptionally well-positioned to benefit. We have the land, the infrastructure, and, most importantly, a skilled and diverse workforce supported by one of the nation’s strongest technical college systems. Together, these assets make Georgia a natural hub for the next wave of life sciences manufacturing and innovation.

What are some of the most effective strategies for building and retaining a skilled life sciences workforce in Georgia?

The demand for talent is outpacing supply, and with reshoring accelerating, that gap is only going to widen. To meet this challenge, we’re focused on building and retaining a skilled workforce through clear, connected career pathways that start in middle and high school and extend through higher education, particularly within our Technical College System.

Retention is just as important as recruitment. We’re working closely with employers to ensure that once talent enters the industry, they have opportunities for continuous learning and advancement, through professional development, stackable credentials, and partnerships that help companies grow and keep skilled workers here in Georgia.

We also play a leadership role nationally through the Life Sciences Workforce Collaborative, a nonprofit we helped found, to share best practices across states. Together with our strong bioscience training facilities and technical college partnerships, Georgia is not only meeting its workforce needs but helping shape the national conversation around life sciences workforce development.

Georgia is at a pivotal moment, as the convergence of healthtech, data, and traditional life sciences creates new opportunities for innovation and workforce development. One standout example is our Biotech Teacher Training Initiative, a public–private partnership with the Georgia Department of Education and the Technical College System of Georgia. Through this program, teachers gain hands-on exposure to biotechnology and bring those lessons back to their classrooms, helping students see clear, rewarding career pathways in life sciences. It’s changing perceptions about the industry and showing that manufacturing in our sector offers high-paying, high-impact careers.

Our Equipment Depot program is another great example. We collect surplus or landfill-bound lab equipment from industry partners and distribute it to schools across Georgia at no cost. This not only advances companies’ sustainability goals but also gives students access to hands-on lab experiences that were once out of reach. It’s a simple idea with an outsized impact on both education and industry engagement.

We’ve also launched the Life Sciences Manufacturing Forum, which brings together biopharma, medtech, diagnostics, and industrial biotech manufacturers to tackle shared workforce and growth challenges. The Forum’s Working Group is mapping critical workforce gaps, sharing best practices around recruitment, retention, and upskilling, and exploring opportunities for collective action through grants, incentives, and state or federal partnerships.

Finally, local collaboration has been essential to Georgia’s success. Communities like Johns Creek are emerging as life sciences hubs thanks to visionary local leadership and investment from companies like Boston Scientific, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, and Alcon. These partnerships, between local governments, education systems, and employers, are setting new standards for how ecosystem collaboration can power Georgia’s growth as a national leader in life sciences. 

What gaps still exist for early-stage life sciences companies in Georgia, and how are you working to address them?

Early-stage life sciences companies in Georgia still face several challenges. Talent remains a top concern, but access to funding and facilities is often the biggest hurdle. We’re addressing this by expanding our network of experienced entrepreneurs who mentor startups, helping companies navigate federal funding opportunities, and building stronger connections to investors.

We’re also working to amplify and support the academic programs at our research universities, which are the foundation for much of Georgia’s innovation. These institutions are producing breakthrough discoveries, and we want to ensure their ideas can translate into viable companies that grow here in Georgia.

Infrastructure remains a critical need. We’re fortunate to have Science Square and Portal Innovations supporting startup growth, but there’s still a gap for companies moving out of academic incubators that aren’t yet ready for expensive commercial space. Creating that affordable “next step” environment, and a more connected hub for early-stage companies, is one of our biggest opportunities moving forward. 

What are your top priorities to ensure Georgia not only keeps pace with growth but also emerges as a national leader in the life sciences sector?

I’m incredibly optimistic about where Georgia is headed. Over the next year, we’ll see political shifts with the upcoming gubernatorial election, which could shape the landscape in meaningful ways. At the same time, we’re seeing tremendous momentum in manufacturing and continued breakthroughs across our research universities, making industry–academic collaboration a top priority.

As an association, we’re focused on amplifying Georgia’s voice at both the state and federal levels, especially in our role as trusted advisers to policymakers. One of our most ambitious initiatives this year is the creation of Georgia’s first-ever Life Sciences Ecosystem Roadmap, a comprehensive plan designed to position Georgia as a national leader in MedTech and biotech innovation. The roadmap will identify the gaps and opportunities needed to advance commercialization, strengthen the workforce, enhance infrastructure, and increase access to capital.

While Georgia’s life sciences industry is growing rapidly, we still lack a cohesive strategy to compete with states like North Carolina, and even Tennessee, which is quickly gaining ground through bold public investments. That’s why we’re engaging leaders from industry, academia, and economic development statewide to shape a shared vision for 2026 and beyond. Georgia truly has every ingredient for leadership, world-class research institutions, diverse communities, available land, a strong supply chain, and an outstanding quality of life. The opportunity is enormous — but realizing it will take collective action and sustained investment.

Michael Wahlstrom, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual Plans of Georgia and Alabama, is focused on expanding access, affordability, and simplicity for employers and members across two of the nation’s most dynamic healthcare markets. In an interview with Focus:, he discusses emerging trends, persistent challenges, and how UnitedHealthcare is advancing solutions that address both immediate needs and long-term systemic gaps. “We’re investing heavily in expanding behavioral health resources because we recognize that addressing mental health is a foundational piece of improving overall health outcomes in the Southeast,” Wahlstrom said.

Over the past year, what changes across Georgia and Alabama have been most influential, and how are they shaping your strategy going forward?

We’ve had strong momentum in Georgia and Alabama by focusing on affordability, accessibility, and simplicity for our members and employers. Those priorities speak directly to some of the biggest issues affecting the healthcare industry today. Rising healthcare costs are burdening consumers across every segment, workforce shortages are affecting both clinical and non-clinical roles, and demand for digital-first experiences continues to climb.

On the affordability side, we’re balancing the overall cost of care and economic pressures with active cost management and an emphasis on quality. We see our role as being good stewards of member dollars and spend. That means partnering with providers who deliver high-quality, efficient care through value-based arrangements and finding ways to mitigate rising costs without compromising outcomes.

Workforce shortages remain a significant challenge. In response, in 2022 the United Health Foundation launched a 10-year, $100 million commitment to deepen and scale the health care workforce. Through our scholarship program, we aim to support 10,000 current and future healthcare professionals by 2033. For the 2024-25 academic year in Georgia alone, we awarded 79 scholarships totaling more than $450,000.

We’re also proud of our parent company’s strategic partnership with Goodwill Industries — a $4.5 million commitment over three years. Since 2024, that collaboration has provided services to nearly 60,000 individuals, with more than 15,800 finding employment, including 1,600 in healthcare roles. This is a powerful way to increase access to training and career pathways.

On the digital side, we continue to scale virtual behavioral coaching and roll out Surest, our simplified, copay-only plan that offers upfront cost transparency. Surest is available to employers with two or more employees and gives members tools to compare costs easily within the UnitedHealthcare network. On average, members save about 50% on out-of-pocket costs. All of these pieces — affordability, workforce development, and digital innovation — are shaping how we evolve our strategy across the region.

Where do you see the greatest gaps in access to care, and how are you addressing them in underserved parts of Georgia and Alabama?

One of the largest gaps we see today is in behavioral health access. The need has grown significantly since the onset of COVID, and Georgia in particular faces acute provider shortages. UnitedHealthcare now has the largest behavioral health network among our competitors, but the need continues to outpace capacity.

Georgia ranks 48th nationally in the availability of mental health professionals, including psychiatrists, psychologists, licensed social workers, marriage and family therapists, counselors, and advanced practice nurses specializing in behavioral health. That makes it even more important to expand access through telehealth and virtual behavioral coaching. These solutions help us reach people not just in Metro Atlanta, but throughout rural communities where shortages are even more pronounced.

We’re investing heavily in expanding behavioral health resources because we recognize that addressing mental health is a foundational piece of improving overall health outcomes in the Southeast.

What trends are shaping the healthcare landscape in your markets, and how are you navigating them?

Affordability and transparency remain major priorities for employers and consumers. Many employers want more predictable costs, which is why our level-funded and Surest plans have been well-received. Our broader goal is to educate consumers about the total cost of care and give them intuitive tools to make informed decisions.

Digital-first experiences are another significant trend. Members expect healthcare navigation to mirror the simplicity of online shopping or banking. To meet those expectations, we’ve developed tools like Smart Choice and the UHC Store.

Smart Choice uses artificial intelligence to deliver personalized provider searches, cost comparisons, quality insights, and AI-powered suggestions based on similar care journeys. It also includes conversational AI features for real-time support through the UHC app or MyUHC.com.

The UHC Store is a new digital shopping experience available to 6 million commercial members today, with plans to expand to 19 million. It gives members a straightforward way to supplement their health benefits year-round in a more familiar, consumer-friendly format.

Behavioral health expansion and value-based care are also major trends. As costs continue rising, partnering with providers who can deliver high-quality, efficient care is essential. Value-based arrangements allow us to support better outcomes while reducing overall spend.

What are the most significant challenges your industry is grappling with, and how are you turning them into opportunities?

The biggest challenge right now is rising costs. We’ve talked about several strategies to address this, but value-based care remains at the center of our approach. Aligning incentives around outcomes instead of volume is critical to driving efficiency and affordability.

We’re also focused on consumer empowerment. Products like Surest and the UHC Store simplify the experience and provide clearer pathways for members to access care without unexpected financial surprises. The UHC Store, in particular, is designed to transform the way people interact with healthcare by making it more intuitive and accessible.

Workforce shortages are another major challenge. Our $100 million investment in healthcare workforce development addresses that head-on by supporting students entering the field and helping build a talent pipeline in states like Georgia and Alabama. The partnership with Goodwill expands that reach even further, helping individuals access education, workforce readiness, and wraparound support.

These challenges are significant, but they ultimately create opportunities for innovation and more resilient systems.

Looking ahead, what is your outlook for UnitedHealthcare and the broader industry over the next three to five years?

For UnitedHealthcare, we’re going to keep investing in digital tools. A big part of our focus is removing complexity from the healthcare system. Digital innovation and artificial intelligence play a major role in that effort, especially when it comes to affordability, navigation, and personalization.

For Georgia specifically, community health programs will remain a priority. Bringing access to communities across the state — including rural areas and historically underserved neighborhoods — is essential. We see tremendous value in ensuring that all Georgians have pathways to preventive care, behavioral health, and long-term support.

From an industry perspective, I expect to see greater transparency, more AI-driven personalization, and continued emphasis on behavioral health access. Georgia’s growth and strong employer demand for competitive benefits will drive ongoing innovation. The industry will need to keep pace with that demand by developing simpler, more efficient, and more integrated solutions.

Is there anything else you would like to highlight that we haven’t covered?

I’d emphasize community engagement. We’re significantly increasing investment in programs that address food insecurity, transportation, and housing — all of which are fundamental to overall health. UnitedHealth Group supports a wide range of housing solutions, from mixed-income and affordable housing developments to supportive housing for individuals facing complex needs. These investments include new construction, rehabilitation, and preservation across urban, suburban, and rural communities.

In Georgia alone, we’ve helped support more than 2,000 affordable housing units with over $115 million in investments. These initiatives improve stability for families, seniors, and veterans while connecting them to wraparound services that support healthier lives.

I’d like to be clear that we do not use AI to make decisions about coverage or prior authorization denials. AI is a tool that supports human decision-making — not a replacement for it. Ensuring that our processes remain human-led is critically important to us.

In an interview with Focus:, Brandon Hembree, Sugar Hill mayor, discussed how the city is balancing suburban charm with urban amenities. Hembree highlighted investments in parks, walkability, and performing arts to enhance livability while addressing challenges like affordable housing and commercial development. “All of this is about making Sugar Hill a place where people want to live, work, and raise their families for years to come,” Hembree said.

What changes over the past year have most impacted Sugar Hill and in what ways? 

It has been a good year, so far, for Sugar Hill. We were just named the 15th fastest-growing city in the United States. I attribute that to the fact that we have a community where people want to live, as well as the investments we have made in our community. We have extended the Sugar Hill Greenway to a total of seven miles, connecting more neighborhoods and giving families new ways to walk, bike, and enjoy the outdoors. We have also added two new parks, Gold Mine Park and Ridge Lake Park. Seeing kids and parents fishing at Ridge Lake has been so rewarding. On top of that, we have also updated our zoning policies to make sure development happens the right way, keeping that balance between growth and the small-town feel people love. And we are not stopping there as we also plan on using new tools, like AI for road assessments, to keep improving the city in smart ways. All of this is about making Sugar Hill a place where people want to live, work, and raise their families for years to come.

Over the past year, what have been the most significant developments in Sugar Hill and how do they reflect the region’s evolving landscape?

We are a community that offers a mixture of both suburban and urban attributes, and that attracts people. We are served by an excellent school system, with two school clusters, the North Gwinnett cluster and the Lanier cluster, which are among the very best in the Gwinnett County public school system. That is a significant draw for young families looking to relocate. Additionally, our geographic location is advantageous within metro Atlanta. We are not too far from downtown Atlanta, yet we are close enough to job opportunities in the region. We have also invested heavily in outdoor amenities, with plans for more. These features make our community very attractive to families.

We are also making efforts to be less car-dependent. The United States has spent 75 years building car-dependent communities, and shifting away from that takes time. We are doing our best to improve walkability, though we still have progress to make.

How do you envision expanding the use of AI and similar technologies in other city departments or infrastructure projects?

Many cities in Georgia are discussing AI and its applications, but there are also concerns about its long-term effects on jobs and other areas. We continue to use our pavement assessment tool, which involves attaching a camera to city vehicles. As employees drive through the community, the camera captures pavement conditions, allowing us to rank roads based on their needs and allocate repaving budgets more effectively.

We also use Placer AI, a tool adopted from Tybee Island. It helps estimate crowd sizes during events like our fall festival or Fourth of July fireworks, aiding in traffic and public safety planning. It has been particularly useful in our downtown area, where we can demonstrate foot traffic to prospective businesses.

What role has the Suite Spot business incubator played in fostering entrepreneurship in Sugar Hill?

We are a city of mostly small, home-based businesses. That is because we do not have enough office space in our community. That is a future initiative we are working on. We need more office space so that we can grow and keep businesses here in Sugar Hill.

We have a great example of a local veterinarian who started in the Suite Spot. They recently purchased their own building and property, expanding into their own location. We are really excited about that. It is an example of what we are trying to accomplish. We are still growing from a commercial standpoint. I do not know the exact percentage of residential versus commercial in our community, but it has improved significantly over the last several years.

What kinds of community education or public-private partnerships could help shift perceptions and open pathways for inclusive housing solutions in Sugar Hill?

We have not made a lot of progress as a community, unfortunately. I think that is the case with most communities in metro Atlanta. Gwinnett County, where we are located, has initiated a program providing grants for affordable housing initiatives. We are the recipient of one of the grants.

Like every other city, we recognize that housing affordability is a top issue that needs to be addressed. It is just a difficult issue to tackle for a variety of reasons. For example, there is still political concern from certain groups about what affordable housing means. It has been a real challenge to overcome that stigma within the community, but it is something we are working through. Furthermore, the real estate market is quite unpredictable right now as there has been a shift from a buyer’s market to a seller’s market, so timing is very important.

As Sugar Hill evolves its entertainment districts, how are you positioning the city to stand out in the region’s cultural economy?

Sugar Hill has a unique identity compared to other cities. We work diligently to differentiate ourselves. Our neighboring city, Suwanee, has a great reputation for visual arts. If you visit their downtown and parks, you will see sculptures and community-focused art installations.

In Sugar Hill, we have chosen to emphasize performing arts. We have two great venues in our downtown area: an outdoor concert venue called The Bowl and a performing arts theater called the Eagle Theater. We program both venues in different ways. We host a summer concert series at The Bowl and a year-round concert series at the Eagle Theater.

We also partner with local schools, providing them access to the venues. We collaborate with a local players guild, a big band called the Broad Street Concert Band, and a children’s theater group called On the Stage Children’s Theater. We are working hard to create that identity for our community.

One statistic that stands out for us relates to our local middle school, Lanier Middle School, which has a growing reputation for performing arts. Over 80% of the students there are involved in one or more fine arts programs offered by the city. We are working together as a team to build that identity for Sugar Hill.

Over the next two to three years, what are your key goals for Sugar Hill and how do these align with regional economic priorities?

For me, it is all about community engagement. We have grown a lot as a city, and now it is time to bring all the different parts of the community together. That will be my focus over my next term as mayor.

We are working diligently to expand our commercial office space because we recognize that is a critical need for our local businesses. We want to keep businesses here in Sugar Hill and attract new ones, which aligns with Gwinnett County’s broader economic priorities.

Affordable housing remains a top issue we are addressing through partnerships with the county and grant opportunities. We understand this is a regional challenge that requires regional solutions. And as already mentioned, we are also continuing to build our identity in the performing arts through venues like The Bowl and the Eagle Theater as this not only enhances quality of life but also supports metro Atlanta’s cultural economy.

Finally, infrastructure improvements, including roads and green spaces, will be important as we grow. We want to ensure Sugar Hill develops in a way that maintains what makes our community special while keeping pace with the region.

In an interview with Focus:, James Fritze, president and CEO of NewTown Macon, discussed revitalization efforts, downtown momentum, public-private investment, and support for small businesses. “There’s a strong link between downtown living and business growth: for every 15 new residents, we typically see one new business,” he said.

What were the most significant milestones and accomplishments for NewTown Macon over the last year?
NewTown Macon is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3), and we’re privately funded, not part of any government agency. We rely very little on local, state, or federal funding. Our mission is to invest time, resources, and money into local people and businesses to revitalize downtown Macon. As the city’s private revitalization agency, we focus on keeping things local. That’s a core value in our work downtown.

Over the past four or five years, Macon has done a remarkable job of collaborating on projects that require close coordination between the county and the private sector. Mayor Lester Miller and his staff have been strong supporters of our efforts. Under his leadership and through the collective work happening downtown, we’ve made significant progress, and it’s been incredibly rewarding.

How would you describe the momentum in downtown Macon in terms of private and public investment?
Macon is fortunate to have a rich stock of historic buildings downtown. Like many cities, it saw a decline in the 1970s as people moved to the suburbs and malls expanded. NewTown was formed in the late ’90s to reverse that trend, and it took about 15 to 20 years to find the right approach. Our strategy has been to restore these buildings by adding residential lofts on upper floors and commercial or retail spaces at street level.

Over the past six to eight years, we’ve gone from just 25 downtown residents to more than 1,500. We’ve built around 1,000 lofts in just over a decade, and 300 more are underway. In two years, we expect downtown’s population to reach 1,600 to 1,700.

There’s a strong link between downtown living and business growth: for every 15 new residents, we typically see one new business. Macon’s walkability, with its restaurants, venues, bars, shops, and green spaces, makes it a vibrant “city in a park” that continues to grow.

The Urban Development Authority hosts the Macon Action Plan on its website. Now in its third version, the plan outlines detailed strategies we’re pursuing, including expanding and diversifying downtown’s housing. People who live here genuinely enjoy the experience.

What impact does the economic environment have on revitalization efforts in Macon?

We see politics as mostly local, and we’re fortunate to have a strong local government that’s managed a surplus and rolled back property taxes while maintaining fiscal discipline.

At the state level, Gov. Brian Kemp’s administration has also maintained a surplus, implemented income tax rollbacks, and returned funds to taxpayers. That financial strength at both levels is a big advantage.

While the federal government navigates its own path, we believe Macon and Georgia are well-positioned to keep moving forward. Of course, challenges remain, housing construction costs have soared, and higher interest rates have made financing harder. But despite that, we’re in a strong position thanks to our solid foundation at the local and state levels.

How does NewTown Macon support entrepreneurs and small businesses in this process?
As a Community Development Financial Institution, or CDFI, a federal designation under the Treasury Department, we’re able to partner with banks and leverage funds for community impact. This lets us do more than just finance real estate projects. We also support entrepreneurs by offering business planning guidance and running adult learning programs that help people develop sound business plans.

Part of our loan fund is dedicated to helping startups launch. Once someone receives a loan from us, they become part of the NewTown family — we provide coaching, regular check-ins, and hands-on support. It’s a different model from traditional banking. We offer technical assistance to help borrowers succeed.

In Macon and many communities like it, economic growth hinges on small businesses getting off the ground. That’s where we’re seeing the most momentum, and it’s a major focus of NewTown’s mission.

How does the trail system contribute to community development in Macon?
The trail system has been a key part of our work since the early 2000s. We’ve built 13 of the planned 22 miles so far. At NewTown, we handle design and construction, then turn the trail over to the county for maintenance, a true public-private partnership.

Much of the trail runs along public land owned by the county or the Water Authority, and parts even connect to the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park. Access and permitting can slow progress, but our goal remains the same: to connect neighborhoods and encourage outdoor activity. Whether it’s walking, biking, or running, we believe that communities that spend time outside together are stronger communities. 

We’ve experienced delays due to a major highway interchange project that overlaps with the trail, but once complete, the trail will be a vital connector for Macon’s neighborhoods and a key element of community building.

What role do events play in your broader strategy?
Events are central to creating a sense of place. In our early years, we organized many events ourselves to draw people downtown. Today, that responsibility is shared across a wide range of organizations.

First Friday is one of our most successful ongoing events. It brings out a great crowd every month. We’ve also worked to activate alleys with lighting and art installations, turning overlooked spaces into destinations.

And the Christmas lights extravaganza has grown from a small local celebration into something with national visibility. The turnout is remarkable. It’s become one of our biggest drivers of tourism and community engagement.

Looking ahead, what are your top priorities over the next couple of years?
We’re moving forward with three major loft projects, which will add about 300 new residential units and bring roughly 450 more people into downtown. We’re also seeing a wave of public-private investment. The renewed SPLOST will fund major developments, and Mercer University is relocating its medical school downtown.

With that growth, we’re shifting some focus toward hotel development. We’ve concentrated on lofts and apartments, but now we’re looking to increase hotel capacity to support Macon’s growing convention and event traffic. There is also a need for more hotel rooms, which is an exciting next step in downtown’s evolution.

The landscape of early-stage entrepreneurship has undergone dramatic reshaping over the past year, primarily driven by the rapid growth and integration of AI across all sectors. “From a startup point of view, AI is table stakes now,” David Cummings, CEO of Atlanta Ventures, told Focus:. He underscored the necessity for every new company not only to adopt AI but also to capitalize on the massive opportunity the technology presents.

What changes in the startup landscape over the past year have most influenced how you’re thinking about early-stage entrepreneurship in the Southeast?

Now that AI permeates everything, ChatGPT is in the news every day. From a startup point of view, AI is table stakes now. But even with that said, there’s still so much opportunity to create the new startups, but then also to help the transformation of the existing companies. Millions of companies worldwide are undergoing an AI transformation. You can imagine there’s going to be an opportunity for lots of new startups to help with that. So, AI is the big trend right now.

What feels different compared to a few years ago in terms of mindset, motivations, or expectations?

I think we went through a lull there for several years. We had the exuberant times of 2020 and 2021, when COVID hit and everybody was working from home, the software sector was hot because all these companies were buying tons of tools to help make their team more productive. So, software was going gangbusters. And then from 2022 to 2025 today, the software sector was kind of slow, kind of not as dynamic as it normally is. But now it’s come roaring back because of AI. We had a period of exuberance at the start of COVID. Then we had a lull for several years. And now we’re back with a vengeance with AI and how it’s going to transform everything. We’re just excited that the next wave is upon us.

What types of ideas or industries are standing out right now? And what does that signal about where the market is heading?

The hottest ones that we’re seeing are robotics. You can imagine how we’re on the cusp of a future that has robots everywhere, from cutting the yard to self-driving cars or robot taxis. We think robotics is a big one. We’re also optimistic about the continued rollout of AI. It’s going to touch everything. And then we’re also interested in other forms of deep tech. This includes things like new devices and clean tech. We anticipate a new golden age for physical inventions emerging from the startup community, driven by advancements in software, AI and their real-world applications in areas like physical devices, robotics, deep tech, clean tech and hardware.

What other external factors, like the economy and interest rates, are shaping the kinds of companies that get built and funded in this cycle?

Interest rates usually don’t affect startups too much. They can affect a little bit on the valuations that companies are willing to pay, like in an acquisition or funding, but they don’t have too much of an impact. On the geopolitical front, particularly concerning H1Bs, the startup world sees a wealth of talented founders globally. However, with the rise of distributed work and remote teams, many startups I collaborate with are now fully remote. This shift means that immigration and H1B discussions are becoming less relevant to these startups, allowing them to focus entirely on innovation.

What other trends do you see in the startup world today?

Time to market has never been shorter. And so, I think that’s a big benefit for startups because now they can iterate faster, and they can experiment more. The explosion of great tools out there has made it so that it’s never been easier to be an entrepreneur. The flip side of that is if the barriers go down to being an entrepreneur, then of course, that means there’s going to be more competition. There’s going to be more companies doing similar things and more entrepreneurs inventing their own products. Time to market is as fast as it’s ever been, but it’s also the most competitive it’s ever been because it’s so easy to launch something new nowadays. I feel like now the differentiators are in that creativity and imagining things that none of us have imagined yet.

What is your take on the ecosystem that exists both in Atlanta and in the Southeast, and how is that evolving?

Atlanta has been really strong on the idea stage, the seed stage and the early stage of the startup journey. So we’ve been really strong at going from an idea on a napkin to a prototype to the first 10 customers, to the first 100 customers, to raising venture capital. The opportunity ahead of us is to really get stronger at the next stage beyond the early stage, which includes the growth stage, the expansion stage and the pre-IPO stage. We have a handful of success stories, but we have tons of opportunity to develop out of that growth stage. This is when the companies have $5 million or $10 million of revenue and they’re growing fast. These are when the companies are thinking about going public or raising another expansion round. We’re really strong in the early stage, and we’re still developing our muscles when it comes to the growth stage.

How do you decide which ideas are worth co-founding?

We like to incubate new ideas as part of the studio. We’re looking for markets that are small today but very fast-growing. We like markets that have the opportunity for subscription revenue. So, some form of recurring revenue is part of the business model. And then we like to partner with entrepreneurs who typically have something to prove. We like to partner with entrepreneurs who are relentless. They just don’t take no for an answer and are ready to run through brick walls to get stuff done. And then we look for entrepreneurs who bring together both a level of sales skills and a partner on the team who has the technical skills. We want somebody who loves technology and loves to build great things. And then to have a business partner who loves to sell. That combination of builder and seller is an important component.

Can you talk about Atlanta Tech Village and the role these types of communities play in shaping the next generation of entrepreneurs?

Atlanta Tech Village is one of the largest tech entrepreneurship centers in the country with over 300 startups. The big idea is that entrepreneurs enjoy being around other entrepreneurs, no different than any other affinity group. If you like golf, you want to go hang out with the golfers. The Tech Village is an environment that has community, mentors, programs and continuing education all centered around tech entrepreneurship. By bringing a bunch of entrepreneurs together and both helping them and creating a community among them, it increases the chance of success for everybody involved. At the end of the day, our goal is more success stories. We have 57 buildings, 10 city blocks, 91 properties and we’re building the largest tech startup district in the country. Our grand opening is June of next year to coincide with the start of the World Cup in Atlanta. South Downtown Atlanta will soon be the largest startup district in the country.

What are your top priorities for Atlanta Ventures, and what excites you most about where entrepreneurship is going next?

We’re just really excited that entrepreneurship and startups in general are not a zero-sum game. It’s not like we start up a new restaurant on the corner and by putting that restaurant in the corner, the two restaurants next door are going to have a harder time. The type of entrepreneurship that we’re involved in is entrepreneurship that moves society forward. It’s the type of entrepreneurship that is a net new benefit. We like this idea that you can create something, you can deliver that value to people, you can sell it to them and everybody is better off. It’s not a zero-sum game; it’s contributing to society.

In an interview with Focus:, Bianca Motley Broom, mayor of College Park, highlighted the city’s strategic focus on connectivity, sustainable growth, and community-driven development. “Housing is the cornerstone of everything. Without safe, stable, and decent housing, it’s incredibly difficult to build anything else.”

What changes over the last year have impacted College Park, and in what ways?

We’ve seen tremendous growth and the completion of several long-term projects. One of the most exciting recent developments was the ribbon-cutting for our pedestrian bridge over Camp Creek Parkway. This bridge connects our Gateway Center campus, which is home to the Gateway Center Arena and the Georgia International Convention Center, to the SixWest development area. Although still under construction, we anticipate breaking ground on a 55-acre residential project in that area by December. This is an especially exciting project because it improves pedestrian access throughout our city and also serves as a symbolic bridge between various facets of our community: residents and tourists, our neighborhoods, and the airport.

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is deeply intertwined with College Park — parts of the airport, including the T, A, and part of the B gates, are within our city limits. Businesses operating in that area pay taxes and licensing fees to the city, creating an interdependent relationship with both the airport and the city of Atlanta. This connection has played a vital role in our development.

We’ve also seen progress in residential development. For instance, we recently reached full occupancy at a residential complex called Somersby, located on West Fayetteville Road in Clayton County. It has added hundreds of units for underserved populations. Providing attainable and affordable housing is essential, especially for the many residents in southern Fulton and northern Clayton counties who work at the airport. As some of our older units near the end of their usable lifespan, developments like Somersby and Blue Sky Residential — another project in collaboration with the College Park Housing Authority using low-income housing tax credits — are crucial.

Additionally, we’re proud of South Park Cottages, an award-winning development that has been one of the largest micro-home communities in Georgia. The developer, Booker T. Washington, is now expanding into Union City. These kinds of developments offer alternative pathways to homeownership, which is something we’re passionate about.

We’re also making efforts to be good environmental stewards. We’re collaborating with the Atlanta Regional Commission, MARTA, Clayton County, and neighboring cities like East Point and Hapeville to improve stormwater management and preserve the Flint River — Georgia’s second-longest river, which originates in College Park. We’re currently working on a 7-acre nature preserve to give residents better access to the river, which is a largely untapped natural asset. Interestingly, the Flint River flows underneath the airport — an engineering marvel in itself. It’s surreal to stand by the river, see turtles swimming, and watch jets landing just overhead.

No matter where you are in the region, there’s a continuous balance between economic growth and environmental responsibility. What’s encouraging is that we’re having more intentional conversations about preserving our resources for future generations.

How do recent projects reflect your administration’s long-term strategy for economic growth and livability in College Park?

Housing is the cornerstone of everything. Without safe, stable, and decent housing, it’s incredibly difficult to build anything else. We are facing a housing crisis both locally and nationally. There simply aren’t enough units to meet demand. That’s why College Park has been proactive in creating housing at a range of price points, ensuring our residents have options that suit their needs and can contribute meaningfully to the community’s well-being.

We’ve recently completed the first phase of a new development called Hawthorne Station, and residents have already begun moving in over the last 12 to 18 months. This project focuses on homeownership, which is a critical piece of our long-term strategy. About 75% of our residents are renters. We want to shift that by increasing access to homeownership.

Personally, I wouldn’t be where I am today without owning my home. I had to use equity from my house to start my business as a mediator, which eventually gave me the flexibility to run for office. I deeply understand the importance of homeownership, and we’ve made it a citywide policy priority.

What do you believe makes College Park a great place to live and do business?

What sets College Park apart is our location. We’re just minutes from one of the busiest airports in the world, and that level of connectivity is invaluable. I’m so accustomed to it that I leave for the airport about an hour and 15 minutes before my flight — something most people couldn’t dream of. But when you live seven minutes away, that kind of convenience becomes normal.

Accessibility is a huge asset, especially for businesses. We have over 35 hotels, and with the addition of the Gateway Center Arena in 2019, we’re now equipped to host events and conferences of virtually any size. Yet, we still maintain a small-town charm, with a population under 15,000 and a close-knit community vibe. It’s the kind of place where you know your neighbors and can have meaningful social connections. There’s a sense of belonging, which became even more important after the pandemic.

We also have excellent educational institutions like Woodward Academy, one of the top private schools in the United States. Beyond our airport access, we have two MARTA stations — one at the airport and one downtown — so you don’t even need a car to experience all that Atlanta has to offer. Few places combine these kinds of world-class amenities with a strong sense of community. We are fully leveraging those strengths.

How is the city supporting local businesses, attracting new industries, and boosting economic vitality through strategic development?

A big part of our approach involves partnerships. Economic development isn’t something we do alone. We collaborate closely with organizations like Aerotropolis Atlanta. 

The big picture matters. What’s good for neighboring cities is good for us, too. If Union City or East Point lands a major project, we all benefit. We work together to market available properties and prepare them for future development so that when companies contact the state’s economic development office or reach out to Aerotropolis, we’re ready to respond.

One recent win was landing a Marzetti’s manufacturing facility. You’ll find their salad dressings in nearly every U.S. grocery store. The new sauce and dressing production plant will be approximately 250,000 square feet, located next to Chick-fil-A’s headquarters, which is another major asset for our community. That partnership brought in dozens of jobs and showcases how we’re positioning ourselves for sustainable growth. Aerotropolis played a key role in navigating confidentiality and logistics to bring that project to life.

What trends or challenges do you see shaping College Park’s future, and how is the city positioning itself to lead within the Atlanta metro area?

A major factor we’re dealing with is power and infrastructure. College Park is one of only 49 cities that are members of the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG). That gives us a significant advantage. We can offer clean, reliable, and cost-effective energy through College Park Power.

We’ve partnered with CleanSpark, a company focused on data centers and crypto mining. They’ve made multiple investments in our city, which has helped us lower utility rates for residents. We recently extended contracts for another five years, with renewal options reflecting a strong and mutually beneficial relationship.

This also positions us well in the growing data center market. We have both the infrastructure and the land to support these facilities without compromising residents’ quality of life, which is rare for a city this close to a major urban center.

What are your top priorities for College Park over the next two to three years?

While it might not sound glamorous, one of our most critical priorities is upgrading our water and sewer infrastructure. We’re making significant, long-term investments in these systems to ensure we’re ready for future growth and can support both residents and businesses effectively.

We’re fortunate to have the Municipal Option Sales Tax (MOST), which adds an extra penny to sales within College Park, Atlanta, Hapeville, and East Point. That revenue is dedicated to funding infrastructure improvements, and we’ve spent a lot of time strategically planning how best to use those funds.

These upgrades are essential to building a city that’s resilient and ready for the future. Reliable infrastructure is non-negotiable for businesses looking to invest, and we’re making sure College Park meets those standards now, and for the next 100 years.

Just less than two hours south of Atlanta, Macon is positioning itself as the next go-to destination to live, work and thrive in the state of Georgia. The Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce has been instrumental in advocating the needs of the region and facilitating resources for the local business community. “One of the things we do best is connection, we are the convener and the connector for businesses,” Jessica Walden, chamber president and CEO, told Focus:.

What are some recent highlights or achievements for the chamber?

The Greater Macon Chamber exists as part of Macon’s collaborative effort to boost economic vitality and create the best place to do business. The highlight is the opportunity to work in a collaborative effort that is making significant progress in Macon.

One of the most exciting indicators of Macon’s momentum is the transformation of the old mall site into a state-of-the-art amphitheater, turning an underused, dying property into a vibrant concert venue that can seat up to 12,000. Downtown Macon is also alive with energy and investment. Last year, we had over $1 billion in industry investment. This isn’t the work of the Chamber, but it’s the spirit of collaboration driving this growth that is one of the biggest wins of the year.

In what ways is the chamber assisting the local business community?

One of our greatest strengths as a Chamber is our ability to connect people. We serve as the convener — bringing businesses, leaders, and resources to the same table — and the connector, making sure those relationships turn into real opportunities for growth.

Our advocacy efforts extend beyond business. We’re helping shape Georgia’s future with the Ocmulgee National Park designation, a project nearly a century in the making, that will spur astronomical economic growth. Our ‘Choose Macon’ and ‘Greater Career Works’ initiatives are built to harness this momentum, connecting people to place and careers that will attract and retain residents and contributors to our workforce.

What makes Macon uniquely positioned for continued growth?

Macon’s central location is one of our biggest strategic assets. We sit at the intersection of the state — in order to get to the world’s busiest airport in Atlanta or the largest seaport in Savannah, you’ve got to come through Macon. But what also has us positioned is our track record of success and readiness to make it happen.

What challenges are most businesses facing?

Workforce remains the biggest challenge for our employers, finding those ready to work and who are matched for the business. Our chamber meeting is head-on with our robust career and pathways digital platform, Greater Career Works, which is used in our school system and available to job-seekers at no cost to the user or the employer.

What industries have seen the biggest growth in the region?

We have two major healthcare systems in the region, and healthcare continues to be a dominant and important industry sector. There is also health education and the innovation that comes with it. Mercer Medicine just announced plans for its new medical school, located at the gateway of our downtown. Additionally, we are a defense community. Our region is home to Robins Air Force Base, which is one of the largest employers in the state of Georgia. It is a military installation specifically working on defense and on the cutting edge of technology. This is why STEM initiatives are important in the region, which help meet the local workforce demands as employers’ needs will continue to change rapidly in the coming years.

Macon remains an education hub, from pre-K to Ph.D. From Mercer’s engineering, law, and medical schools to Central Georgia Technical College’s skills training, we’re producing talent across the spectrum.

What are the chamber’s top priorities in the near future?

Our future priorities are all about people. With increased tourism and visibility, we want to convert visitors into residents and make sure our infrastructure, businesses, and experiences are ready to support that growth.