Forever Optimistic, Wole Raph
Clayton County Board of Commissioners,
Vice Chairman
by Zonya J. Adams

Looking Back on 2011, Leaping Into 2012
For as long as I can remember, I have always been in conversations where someone refers to me as “forever an optimist!” And that is exactly where I find myself today as we look back on 2011, with its challenges and successes, and on to a promising 2012 for Clayton County. I can assure you that we are working hard today to ensure an increase in economic development, both short term and ongoing, which equals employment opportunities for the citizens of this county. I focused on employment over the past year, and I intend to continue focusing, like a laser beam, on JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!

SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) Local Preference Program)
In 2012, the Board of Commissioners will construct several SPLOST projects. These include two recreation centers, a library, a senior center, a police precinct and a mini-police precinct. In 2011, we completed a disparity study so that we can award the construction of these projects to minority firms and firms that hire Clayton County residents.

Clayton County Works
By 2012, the Board of Commissioners will implement a local preference-hiring program for County jobs. The program is designed to focus on hiring citizens who live in low to moderate-income tracts in Clayton County.

Hospitality Related Jobs
In the Spring of 2012, Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (HJAIA) will open the new Maynard Holbrook Jackson International Terminal. The gateway for the international terminal will be along the I-75 corridor in Clayton County. The county is recruiting hotels, retail businesses and upscale restaurants along that corridor to serve this population. We are also working with these companies to take advantage of the federal tax credits they can obtain by hiring Clayton County citizens.

Cargo & Logistics Related Jobs
In November of 2010, Mayor Reed, the Atlanta Metro Chamber, and I went on a business trade mission to the Netherlands to attend The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA) World Conference in order to recruit cargo-related industries to Hartsfield-Jackson. That trip was a great success, resulting in a spike of cargo-related flights increasing 40% between 2010 and 2011. In 2012, Atlanta will host the TIACA World Conference, and Clayton County will have a major economic development presence at this event. We intend to use this conference to increase the number of cargo-related flights to expanding markets such as Brazil, the Middle East and Africa. As HJAIA increases the market destinations and the number of cargo & logistics companies utilizing the airport, then Clayton County benefits in job creation. Again, we are working with these companies to help them take advantage of the federal tax credits they can obtain by hiring Clayton County citizens.

Film & Entertainment Industry
Due to the efforts of the county’s Economic Development office, Clayton County has become an increasingly popular destination for Hollywood movies. In 2011, the County was the site for movies starring Denzel Washington, Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Don Cheadle and Tyler Perry, just to name a few. Fortunately, 2012 promises to be an even better year. The newly formed Film Office, within the Office of Economic Development, has established a Facebook “fan page” to keep Clayton County citizens informed of the job opportunities offered by the production crew when they arrive on-site.

For all these reasons stated above and more, 2012 will be a considerably stronger year for employment opportunities in Clayton County, though the country will continue to deal with the challenges posed by the economic crisis that has depressed the world economy for more than three years. To stay abreast of these opportunities and my efforts to increase job opportunities and economic investment in Clayton County, please “Like” Commissioner Wole Ralph on Facebook, and follow me on twitter @commralph.