Alpharetta, Forsyth County seek Ga. 400 ‘Technology Corridor’

Following a series of public hearings, the Alpharetta City Council recently adopted a FY2022 millage rate of 5.75 mills, the same rate as last year.

Credit: Steve Hall

Credit: Steve Hall

Following a series of public hearings, the Alpharetta City Council recently adopted a FY2022 millage rate of 5.75 mills, the same rate as last year.

Alpharetta and Forsyth County officials are asking the General Assembly to designate a section of Ga. 400 as the “Technology Corridor.”

If approved, signs along 14 miles of the state highway would identify the two communities as established hubs for professional technology, Alpharetta City Administrator Bob Regus said.

During a Monday meeting, Alpharetta City Council approved a resolution requesting lawmakers designate the section of Ga. 400 from Mansell Road north to state Highway 20.

On Tuesday, Assistant City Administrator James Drinkard said officials expect the resolution to be introduced at the start of the next legislative session in January.

Both Alpharetta and Forsyth County focus on attracting technology firms.

In Alpharetta, 82% of working residents are employed by 700 tech companies located in the city, according to the resolution. And those firms represent a quarter of metro Atlanta’s top technology companies.

Tech Alpharetta, a nonprofit established by the city in 2016, has 55 startup companies that do business around the world and has created more than 1,600 new jobs across Georgia, according to the city.

In Forsyth County, a planned 118-acre technology park is expected to create 700 jobs in the industry.

Before voting to request the designation, Councilman Donald Mitchell said city leaders have worked on growing Alpharetta into a technology center for 30 years.

”I just think this is great as Forsyth County begins its infancy into technology,” Mitchell said. “We will continue to be the leader in this and lead people out of Atlanta and into a better future here in Alpharetta.”