PHOTOS | Southside ready for economic success; Kemp says he’s ready to help

Metro Atlanta

PHOTOS | Southside ready for economic success; Kemp says he’s ready to help

A rendering of Airport City, a 320-1cre mixed-use development near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. AAC GROUP

Inside one of the rooms at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside one of the rooms at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside one of the rooms at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside one of the rooms at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside one of the rooms at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Construction can be seen from inside one of the rooms at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside one of the rooms at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside the fitness center of the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside the fitness center of the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside the lobby of the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Alexis Griggs and Ayana Kendrick wait to check in guests at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Alexis Griggs and Ayana Kendrick wait to check in guests at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside the lobby of the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside the lobby of the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside the lobby of the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside the lobby of the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Inside the lobby of the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

The AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

The AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

The AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

The AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

The AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

The AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

A lavender pouch station sits at the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Construction can be seen through a fence near the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Construction can be seen through a fence near the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

The AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

Construction can be seen through a fence near the AC Hotel at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia, on Thursday, February 20, 2020. The new hotel is one of the many economic development projects of AtlantaâÃÃ´s Southside. (Photo/Rebecca Wright for the AJC)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Phil Kent, President of Phil Kent Consulting, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Tharon Johnson, Founder of the Paramount Consulting Group, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (Alyssa Pointer / AJC)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- City of College Park Mayor Bianca Motley-Broom greets the audience during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Chairman Jeff Turner, of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Chairman Jeff Turner, of the Clayton County Board of Commissioners, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Chairman Robb Pitts, of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Chairman Robb Pitts, of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia --Georgia State Senator Gail Davenport is introduced to members of the audience during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Michael Hightower, Managing Partner with The Collaborative Firm, welcomes guests during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Michael Hightower, Managing Partner with The Collaborative Firm, welcomes guests during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Michael Hightower, Managing Partner with The Collaborative Firm, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. Gov. Kemp is the first sitting governor that has participated in the conference. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Georgia Governor Brian Kemp speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. Gov. Kemp is the first sitting governor that has participated in the conference. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (third from left) stands with leaders and government officials from Atlanta's South Metro region during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Union City Mayor Vince Williams speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. Mayor Williams accepted a public service leadership award during the conference. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Roger Tutterow, director of the Econometrics Center at Kennesaw State University, speaking in 2020, weeks before the pandemic slammed the economies of Georgia, the nation and the world. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Michael Paris, President and CEO of the Council for Quality Growth, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Mike Alexander, Director of the Center for Livable Communities with the Atlanta Regional Commission, gives the Atlanta Regional commission report during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Mike Alexander, Director of the Center for Livable Communities with the Atlanta Regional Commission, gives the Atlanta Regional commission report during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Christine Primmer, Smart Cities Manager for Georgia Power, speaks about smart cities and communities during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Michael Zeto, Vice President of the IOT Solutions and General Manager of Smart Cities for AT&T, speaks about smart cities and communities during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Debra Lam, Managing Director of Smart Cities and Inclusive Innovation at Georgia Insitute of Technology, speaks about smart cities and communities during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (fourth from left) stands with leaders and government officials from Atlanta's South Metro region during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- People listen to discussions during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Ceasar Mitchell (left), leads a discussion about smart cities and communities with Christine Primmer (second from left), Michael Zeto (second from right) and Debra Lam (right) during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Georgia Power Area Manager Audrey King (left) and President and CEO of Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance Shannon James (right) listen as Executive Director of the Aerotropolis Atlanta CID, Gerald McDowell (center), speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Gerald McDowell, Executive Director of the Aerotropolis Atlanta CID, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- President and CEO of Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance Shannon James speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Joan Young, President of the Fayette County Developmental Authority, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Christopher Pike, Economic Development Director of the City of South Fulton, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Christopher Pike (left), Economic Development Director of the City of South Fulton, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Henry County Development Authority Executive Director, Josh Fenn, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- City of Forest Park Mayor Angelyne Butler speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Atlanta City Councilwoman and Vice Chair of the Transportation committee, Marci Collier Overstreet (left), moderates a panel about transportation in South Metro Atlanta during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeff Parker presents information about the metro-Atlanta transit institution during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport General Manager John Selden speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Andre Dickens, Atlanta City Councilman and co-chair of the Transportation committee, speaks during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport General Manager John Selden (right) and MARTA General Manager and CEO Jeff Parker (left) talk amongst themselves following a transportation discussion during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

02/20/2020 -- College Park, Georgia -- Scott Haggard, Director of Government and External Affairs for the ATL Transit Authority and SRTA, speaks during the transportation panel during the 18th annual South Metro Development Outlook Conference at the Georgia International Convention Center in College Park, Thursday, February 20, 2020. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

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A rendering of Airport City, a 320-1cre mixed-use development near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. AAC GROUP

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