Credit report cites Gwinnett’s fiscal prudence, economic stability
Gwinnett County has kept its sparking credit rating, with a rating agency citing its fiscal prudence and economic stability.
Fitch Ratings last week affirmed the county’s AAA credit rating – its highest rating. Gwinnett has maintained the top rating since 1997.
In its report, Fitch cited Gwinnett’s “strong revenue and expenditure flexibility, the maintenance of healthy reserves and low long-term liability burden.”
“The County has continually demonstrated prudent fiscal management through conservative budgeting without the use of reserves,” the report said, noting “a solid history of financing capital projects on a pay-as-you-go basis.”
The agency also cited the regional economy and recovering housing market. It said metro Atlanta “supports strong growth prospects with its access to multi-modal transportation and diverse employment opportunities.” Fitch said Gwinnett’s unemployment rate is “consistently below the state and nation, driven by steady employment gains and a highly educated workforce.”
About the Author
David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
