Atlanta Forward: Regional economy

Today's moderator: Rick Badie

Rick Badie joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution as an education reporter in 1997. A South Georgia native, he's covered the region's immigrant communities, was a feature obituary writer and opinion columnist for the AJC's Gwinnett edition.

This year, Georgia moved from fourth to first place in a trade publication’s ranking of states with the best business climate.

Today, the commissioner of an economic development agency explains why.

Meanwhile, the founder of a non-profit challenges leaders to address the region’s economic inequities.

Today's columnists:

"Inequity across the region," by Nathaniel Q. Smith Jr.
"Georgia's superb business climate," by Chris Carr

About the Author

Rick Badie

New Georgia election audit targets voters registered at P.O. boxes and businesses

Georgia election officials are trying to find inaccurate voter registrations of people registered at P.O. boxes or business addresses.

Rent an apartment, or just a bedroom, at this new Atlanta skyscraper

Amid rising costs and changing lifestyles, Society Atlanta offers a co-living model designed to shake up traditional apartments.

DISPATCH

In Georgia’s melon mecca, watermelon wizards’ ears are sweetly attuned

In the heart of Georgia's watermelon country, everyone has a trick to tell if a melon is ripe. One way is the sound a melon makes when it is thumped. Or better, patted.