Atlanta: More ED Attention

Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin has decided economic development will be a priority for the next two years of her administration, and business leaders say they are relieved she's made that decision.

Franklin plans to work with other departments to create a "New Century Economic Development Plan" -- an overall strategy to answer questions such as what parts of the city should be targeted for growth and what types of industry Atlanta should seek out. Her steps also include:

* Revitalizing the Atlanta Development Authority. Greg Giornelli, the ADA's new director, said the authority will be much more involved in traditional economic development functions such as recruitment and retention of businesses, similar to what the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce does for the entire metro region.

* Adding employees to the Bureau of Economic Development, a part of the Department of Planning that exists by law, but has no staff.

* Creating the Atlanta Committee for Progress, an organization that will support and advise the city on its economic development efforts.

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