A so-called mega-region concept would help spur business development and lead to solving major problems in Georgia and neighboring states--so says a regional planning commission.
The proposal pushes the idea that different cities and communities can find more economic and problem-solving success by selling themselves as a group instead of individually. The Piedmont Atlantic MegaRegion would include communities from North Carolina through parts of Georgia into Alabama.
The concept comes from the Atlanta Regional Commission, a planning group for the metro Atlanta area. ARC chairman Sam Olens says this approach can make it easier to attract international business. And with a down economy, it’s even more critical.
"When you’re in a bad economy, instead of sulking about the economy, let’s make the plans so when the economy improves we’re in fifth gear maximizing that potential strength. So now’s the time to in fact create those partnerships so you get out of the starting gate faster."
Olens says a good example of an area with name recognition is Raleigh-Durham’s Research Triangle.
He says the mega-region concept could also lead to solutions for Georgia’s transportation and water resource problems.
The proposal pushes the idea that different cities and communities can find more economic and problem-solving success by selling themselves as a group instead of individually. The Piedmont Atlantic MegaRegion would include communities from North Carolina through parts of Georgia into Alabama.
The concept comes from the Atlanta Regional Commission, a planning group for the metro Atlanta area. ARC chairman Sam Olens says this approach can make it easier to attract international business. And with a down economy, it’s even more critical.
"When you’re in a bad economy, instead of sulking about the economy, let’s make the plans so when the economy improves we’re in fifth gear maximizing that potential strength. So now’s the time to in fact create those partnerships so you get out of the starting gate faster."
Olens says a good example of an area with name recognition is Raleigh-Durham’s Research Triangle.
He says the mega-region concept could also lead to solutions for Georgia’s transportation and water resource problems.
