New Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll Finds Atlanta Residents Crave New Ideas And Innovation

ATLANTA, Sept. 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Most Atlanta residents favor trying new ideas and solutions, even if the outcome will have an uncertain impact on the economy, community and quality of life in the region.  Yet, two-thirds believe their local area is headed in the right direction and most are positive about population growth, according to a new poll released today by The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) and National Journal.

The Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll explores Atlanta residents' perspectives about their city's innovation, employment, education, housing and quality of life. The poll also takes an in-depth look at how residents are seeking innovative ideas and solutions, particularly in local communities, to keep their city moving forward.

To recognize local innovators, Allstate and Atlantic Media have launched The Renewal Awards, a new program that spotlights and rewards innovators across the country who are taking creative approaches to retaining local talent; attracting businesses to their areas; creating social change; and improving neighborhoods. The Renewal Awards are highlighting five cities, including Atlanta, which are finding solutions to the most pressing challenges facing their communities.

"I'm proud of the local innovators who have helped build Atlanta's economy and established a strong foundation for the city's future," said Bob Holden, Field Senior Vice President, Southeast region, Allstate. "This region has a unique culture of civic engagement, business leadership, community partnership and innovation.  It epitomizes the spirit of The Renewal Awards and is a testament to all Atlanta has to offer. As our community continues to grow, building on that culture will help Atlanta's economy maintain its forward momentum."

In terms of economic growth, Atlanta-area residents have a mixed outlook on the economy and local leadership, though they are supportive of renewal efforts and innovation: 

• Residents who live outside the city limits are more optimistic about their economy (53 percent excellent/good), compared to their city resident counterparts (36 percent excellent/good).
• Looking 10 years into the future, 61 percent say the Atlanta economy will improve, while 21 percent believe it will be about the same. Only 13 percent say it will become worse.
• City residents are more optimistic for the future, with 71 percent saying the Atlanta economy will improve in 10 years, while only 58 percent of non-city residents share the same optimism.
• Three-quarters (75 percent) would prefer "trying new ideas and solutions, even if the outcomes may be uncertain," rather than "relying on tried and tested idea, even if it means a lack of new thinking" (17 percent).
• When asked where progress on innovation in Atlanta is being made, 41 percent cite the state and local level, and 35 percent cite the national level. The perception on local progress is lower than other Heartland surveys conducted earlier this year in Austin (44 percent), Detroit (49 percent) and Denver (63 percent) and nationally (64 percent).
• On an open-ended question in which respondents could name the best example of a prominent Atlantan, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter led (14 percent), followed closely by Tyler Perry (13 percent), former Mayor Andrew Young (12 percent) and Ted Turner (10 percent).

Atlanta residents have positive sentiment about the impact that a growing population will have on their local area, though, they have mixed feelings on whether the area is prepared for growth:

• Nearly two-thirds (62 percent) of Atlanta metro residents are enthusiastic about the growth, whereas 32 percent view it as a negative.  
• More than seven-in-ten (73 percent) of Atlanta city residents agree that the population growth will have a positive impact, whereas non-city residents are more cautious (58 percent positive).
• Younger men (74 percent) and younger women (64 percent) are more hopeful about growth than their older counterparts (58 percent and 47 percent, respectively).
• Transportation (22 percent), health care (20 percent) and film/television (19 percent) are considered the most important industries for Atlanta's economic future.

"In this dynamic region, the latest Heartland Monitor shows a clear optimism about the area's future, but also finds notes of concern about whether the region and its leaders are prepared to handle the challenges of growth," said Atlantic Media Editorial Director Ronald Brownstein. "As we've seen in other cities we've explored, there's a hunger in this poll for new ways to tackle the familiar challenges facing American communities."

To see in-depth poll data from the Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor Poll, please visit www.HeartlandMonitor.com.

The Renewal Awards is the latest project from The Next Economy series, a seven-year partnership between National Journal, The Atlantic and Allstate. The series encompasses reporting from National Journal and The Atlantic, the Heartland Monitor Poll (which explores Americans' shifting economic attitudes and experiences), and national and local events.

Public nominations and official contest rules for The Renewal Awards are available at www.RenewalAwards.com. 

Survey Methodology
The Allstate/National Journal Heartland Monitor poll outlines key findings from a survey of adults conducted by FTI Consulting from August 19-23, 2015 in the Atlanta metro area, including the counties of Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, Cobb, and Clayton. The survey includes 105 interviews with City of Atlanta residents. This survey investigates area residents' views on the local economy, innovation, and Atlanta's future and is a continuation of similar studies conducted in Austin, Denver, and Detroit.  The survey was conducted among a sample of 400 adults age 18+ living in the Atlanta metro area, with 200 reached via cell phone and 200 reached via landline. The margin of error for a sample of 400 is +/- 4.9 in 95 out of 100 cases.

About Allstate Corporation
The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer, protecting approximately 16 million households from life's uncertainties through auto, home, life and other insurance offered through its Allstate, Esurance, Encompass and Answer Financial brand names. Allstate is widely known through the slogan "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®." The Allstate brand's network of small businesses offers auto, home, life and retirement products and services to customers in the United States and Canada. In the 20 years since Allstate became a fully independent public company, The Allstate Foundation, Allstate, its employees and agency owners have donated more than $405 million to support local communities.

About National Journal Group
National Journal Group (NJG) is a premium provider of essential insights, analysis, and solutions for those operating in Washington's policy and government arenas. The brand currently reaches an audience of over 3 million through its editorial products, including NationalJournal.com, Hotline, National Journal, the magazine, and National Journal Daily.  In addition, NJG serves 700 of Washington's top organizations through its robust Membership Services, and convenes the nation's top leaders at its 75 widely attended live events each year.

Tim Hartman is the Chief Executive Officer, Tim Grieve is President and Editor-in-Chief and Poppy MacDonald serves as President and Publisher. National Journal Group is a division of Atlantic Media.

About The Next Economy
The Next Economy is based on a core idea: even in the face of a political stalemate at the national level, our country has not lost its capacity for self-renewal. Founded in 2009, the program uses print, digital and live platforms to highlight how America is adapting to the changing economy, with a special focus on spotlighting local innovation driving progress in communities around the country. Combining editorial, events and the Heartland Monitor Poll, The Next Economy is available at NationalJournal.com/next-economy.

About FTI Consulting
FTI Consulting, Inc. (NYSE: FCN) is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organizations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 4,400 employees located in 26 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.76 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2014. For more information, visit www.fticonsulting.com and connect with us on Twitter (@FTIConsulting), Facebook and LinkedIn.

SOURCE The Allstate Corporation