MAC Identifies New Area of Job Opportunities

Metro Atlanta is a leader in clean tech jobs

ATLANTA, Nov. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Sustainable Economic Growth Initiative (SEGI), led by the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC), identified clean tech as a new opportunity to grow 6,000 jobs by 2017.

"MAC is always looking for emerging trends to attract and grow jobs, and clean tech is a natural fit," said John Brock, chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., and 2011 MAC chair. "MAC is looking at ways to share best practices, improve our sustainability reputation, but most of all, attract and grow clean-tech jobs in smart grid, water, efficient buildings and alternative fuel technologies, among others."

Metro Atlanta is a leader among U.S. metro areas, with more than 43,000 people working in a variety of clean tech and sustainability jobs, according to The Brookings Institution's Sizing the Clean Economy study released July 2011. The study found that Atlanta––the seventh largest metro clean economy in the country––is well positioned to be a major hub in a variety of clean activities, and is the most diverse metropolitan area clean economy in the nation.

The SEGI Task Force, comprised of 30 business leaders and partners, worked with McKinsey & Company, for more than seven months to develop a strategy to grow clean tech jobs in metro Atlanta.

Strategies include:

• Develop a Clean Tech Leadership Council
• Build the pipeline of prospective companies looking to move to Atlanta
• Working with universities to solve sustainability issues for companies

"This task force builds on our results of the New Economy Task Force, which laser-focused our efforts on key segments for job growth opportunities," said Sam A. Williams, president, Metro Atlanta Chamber. "Working with our partners, we have recruited several companies in the clean tech sector, GE Energy Smart Grid being one of the largest."

The task force was chaired by Jim Abrahamson, CEO, Interstate Hotels & Resorts and co-chaired by Mark Ketchum, Director, Newell Rubbermaid. The executive committee included:

• John Brock, chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., and 2011 MAC chair
• Paul Bowers, president and CEO, Georgia Power, and 2013 MAC chair-elect
• Bud Peterson, president, Georgia Institute of Technology
• Bill Kimble, managing partner, KPMG LLP
• Mylle Mangum, CEO, IBT Enterprises, Inc.

In 2012, MAC will create a council, engage our partners, inventory our assets of clean tech companies, develop a targeted list of domestic and international prospects and create new marketing materials.

Metro Atlanta Chamber--Everything we do at the Metro Atlanta Chamber - from recruiting businesses to Atlanta from all over the world, to tackling policy issues - is about creating jobs and prosperity to help Atlanta thrive. Our board is made up of Atlanta's top business leaders. Our professional staff serves 4,000 member companies that employ nearly 1 million workers. We focus on recruiting headquarters and global business -- and companies in the supply chain and advanced manufacturing, bioscience, technology and business services sectors. In public policy, we tackle critical issues such as transportation, water and education. For members, we offer 150+ events and activities each year. In sports, MAC's Atlanta Sports Council has helped drive almost $2 billion in economic impact through sporting events over the last 10 years.

SOURCE The Metro Atlanta Chamber