CarterBlog

Carter Hosts Business Luncheon in Nanjing, China

By Scott Taylor, president, Carter

NANJING, China (March 26, 2012) – More than 100 Chinese business people joined the Atlanta Trade Mission delegation at a lunch today hosted by Carter and H.J. Russell.

I was honored to address the audience and introduce Carter to key business and government officials in Nanjing, the capital of China’s Jiangsu province.

This was a unique opportunity to introduce our brand to many interested Chinese business people. More than 150 people attended the luncheon.

I traveled to China with Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, Invest Atlanta President and CEO Brian P. McGowan and more than 40 other members of an Atlanta delegation on this important China Trade Mission. (This photo at left shows part of the Atlanta delegation. From left, Jermone Russell, H.J. Russell; Mayor Kasim Reed; Brian McGowan, Invest Atlanta, Scott Taylor, Carter; and Hans Gant, Metro Atlanta Chamber.)

Just prior to the Carter-sponsored luncheon, we took part in a business "matchmaking" session where I met with numerous businesses looking to expand in the US. There were more than 80 Chinese companies present.

In the afternoon, a small group led by Mayor Reed visited the urban planning museum of Nanjing. The museum was most impressive and humbling. The growth and the detail to urban planning were incredible.

We then went to Nanjing University and met with university leaders. We received a briefing on their programs, plans for the future and engaged in a robust Q-and-A session before heading to a dinner hosted by the Mayor of Nanjing.

China is the world’s fastest growing, and perhaps most dynamic, economy. Being part of the Atlanta Trade Mission delegation enables Carter to establish relationships with Chinese companies, and in doing so, leverage both Atlanta’s strengths and Carter as a solid company with which to do business.

It’s also an opportunity for Carter to attract potential Chinese investors, who have been considerably more active in the U.S. in the last decade.

I’ll also travel with Mayor Reed and other delegation members to the following cities:  Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Hong Kong, which were carefully selected because of established networks and opportunities. Be sure and check the Carter blog regularly for more updates as we travel across China.

 

Windham Brannon, P.C. Moves into New Home at 3630 Peachtree

By Mary Kathryn Kennon, marketing coordinator, Carter

ATLANTA (Aug. 17, 2011) - Windham Brannon, P.C. has 150 employees settling into their new 35,000-square-foot home in 3630 Peachtree. Back in April, we reported that Carter's Dale Lewis represented Windham Brannon in finding the firm's new location and signing a 12-year, six-month lease.  The accounting firm then began the search for a project management firm to manage the design, construction and relocation for their new offices. The firm needed to consolidate two separate offices into one location in a short timeframe. Due to Carter's industry knowledge and tailored delivery process, Carter's Interiors Project Management Team was selected as the right group for the job. Senior Vice President, Nan Loudon, and Senior Project Manager, Donna West, from Carter headed up the project. Carter Vice President, Carey Poole, also played an instrumental role in the furniture evaluation, selection and procurement process.

Carter was hired on April 4, 2011 and within a week the balance of the project team was selected. Construction documents were completed by mid-May and construction commenced on June 1. The build-out was complete on Aug. 5 and Windham Brannon's first day of business in their new space was Aug. 8.  

The entire Cater team was responsible for delivering the project within Windham Brannon’s desired schedule. The typical timeframe to obtain a permit for this size project is between three and four weeks. Dale Lewis contacted the Atlanta Development Authority to ask for assistance on obtaining a permit quickly based on Windham Brannon's ability to add new jobs in the city of Atlanta. The interiors team was able to meet with ADA and the Bureau of Buildings at The City of Atlanta to discuss the project and request expediting the permit process. As a result, Carter obtained the permit in two weeks.

From team selection to move-in, Carter completed the project in 124 days. The client's ability to streamline the decision making process, eliminated initial concerns on the short time frame.  Carter delivered Windham Brannon’s vision, objectives were accomplished and expectations were exceeded. This certainly shows what can happen when there is a good team in place working towards a common goal.

Check out pictures of the renovated interiors. Congratulations to Windham Brannon on its new Atlanta home!

Atlanta BeltLine CEO Offers Firsthand Look, Update of Monumental Project

ATLANTA (July 5, 2011) - The Atlanta BeltLine is the largest redevelopment and economic development project in the United States, Atlanta BeltLine Inc. CEO and President Brian Leary told Carter executives last week. The 22-mile loop that will connect 45 city neighborhoods is moving forward, and Atlantans already can see concrete examples of the BeltLine across the city.

The BeltLine will create more than 1,300 acres of new park space along 33 miles of new trails and be home to 5,600 units of affordable housing over the next 25 years. Leary says 22 percent of Atlanta's population lives in the Atlanta BeltLine planning area.

Leary, who took over as ABI's chief executive in October 2009, updated Carter executives last week at Carter's headquarters. He then led the group on a tour of the BeltLine that included stops at the Historic Fourth Ward Park/Skate Park, D.H. Stanton Park and the quarry that will become Westside Reservoir Park. The quarry has served as a locale or backdrop for more movie scenes filled in Georgia than any other site.

When the conversion of the quarry, the former Bellwood Quarry property, is completed, the Westside Reservoir Park will be the city's largest park. The reservoir will hold about 2 billion gallons of water and create a 30-day emergency supply of drinking water for Atlanta. In the photo above, Carter's Conor McNally, left, John Akin, center, and David Nelson stand on a platform overlooking the quarry.

Several prime redevelopment sites exist along the BeltLine, and Leary says he expects to see high levels of interest from developers. One such site, Atlanta Technology Center at Northside Drive and I-75, is being marketed for sale by Carter. Leary said he believes the 19-acre property is a prime candidate for multifamily and office development because of its location.

 

 

Georgia State Recognized For Best Dorms in the Country

By Malloy Peterson, vice president of marketing, Carter

ATLANTA (June 28, 2011) - Carter congratulates Georgia State University on being recognized by CampusSplash.com, a dorm review website, for having the best dorms in the country.

In addition to its overall best dorm ranking, Georgia State’s University Commons housing complex, where Carter served as the owner representative, ranked as the fourth best dorm in the country on the website’s “Dormy Awards.” Based on over 7,100 reviews, the University Commons received five stars in categories including location and convenience, quiet study environments and cleanliness.

Completed in September 2007, University Commons is a 2,000-bed student housing facility with a 1,000-car parking deck designed to meet the need of the university’s continued record-breaking enrollment. The university acquired a seven-acre site in Atlanta and through a competitive bid process, Carter was selected to serve as the owner’s representative to assist in the development of the $160 million facility.

During the project, Carter provided a full range of services, including programming, developer selection, financial analysis and design and construction management. Carter also managed the closeout and move-management process upon facility completion.

Congratulations to Georgia State University for having the top student housing facility in the country!

 

Mayor Reed Taps Top U.S. Economic Development Official to Head Atlanta Development Authority

ATLANTA (May 18, 2011) - In what can be described as a major move for the city, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed today named Obama administration official Brian McGowan as president and CEO of the Atlanta Development Authority. McGowan, shown here with Vice President Joe Biden, has served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and COO for the U.S. Economic Development Administration since September 2009.

The Atlanta Development Authority is the city of Atlanta's official economic development agency. Carter President Scott Taylor served as chairman of the Selection Committee.

Here's the official press release, issued by the mayor's office this afternoon.

NEWS RELEASE

Mayor Kasim Reed Names President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlanta Development Authority

Brian P. McGowan brings more than 15 years of economic development experience at all levels of government to the City of Atlanta 

 ATLANTA - Mayor Kasim Reed today named Brian P. McGowan as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Atlanta Development Authority. McGowan has served as U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and COO for the U.S. Economic Development Administration since September 2009. McGowan was also detailed to the White House from July to November 2010 to establish and lead an Economic Solutions Group within the National Incident Command to help communities along the gulf mitigate the economic impacts of the BP oil spill.

“I believe that Brian McGowan’s extensive experience having worked at all levels of government will help the Atlanta Development Authority continue to move the City of Atlanta toward economic recovery,” said Mayor Reed. “We’ve made great strides over the past 16 months with initiatives such as the ongoing revitalization of the Historic Westside District, the redevelopment of Fort McPherson, and the relocation of Porsche’s headquarters to the city. I am confident that under Brian’s leadership, we will build on that strong foundation and generate even more economic investment and development opportunities for the City of Atlanta.”

“I am honored to have been selected as the new President/CEO of the Atlanta Development Authority, and I am grateful for the confidence that Mayor Reed and the board members have placed in me,” McGowan said. “Atlanta is one of America’s greatest cities because of the value it has placed on innovation, education and connections to the global economy.  It’s an economic powerhouse and a city poised for 21^st century leadership and growth. I look forward to working with public and private sector leaders throughout the region to accelerate that momentum and create jobs and opportunity for the people of Atlanta.”

Before joining the Obama Administration, McGowan was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and served as California’s Deputy Secretary for Economic Development and Commerce in the Business, Transportation, and Housing Agency.  Prior to that, he was appointed as the Economic Development Agency Administrator for the County of San Bernardino, California, overseeing four departments focused on economic development, community development and housing, redevelopment, and workforce development. He also worked for the Cities of Ontario and Palm Springs in California. In addition, McGowan served as a consultant on a U.S. Agency for International Development funded program to help cities in Bulgaria and Serbia create economic development and growth strategies.

While serving the State of California, McGowan created the California iHub program to strengthen California’s economic clusters and the California Certified Sites program to accelerate the development process for new projects. McGowan also served on the boards of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank, the California Employment Training Panel, the California Workforce Investment Board, the International Trade Advisory Committee and the California Travel and Tourism Commission. 

While serving in the Obama Administration, McGowan worked to modernize the Economic Development Administration by streamlining operating systems, created new “innovation challenge” programs, supported America’s regions through new trade and foreign direct investment programs, developed new “economic cluster” initiatives and expanded EDA’s role in leading the federal economic development agenda. A tireless advocate of small businesses and entrepreneurship, he recently was tapped by President Obama to be part of an initiative that engages directly with America’s businesses create jobs and increase competitiveness. He also served on the U.S. Historic Preservation Board and was elected Vice Chair of the Rural Working Party for the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development inParis.

McGowan received a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Riverside and a Master’s degree in Politics, Economics, and Business from the Claremont Graduate University. He was also the Michael and Mary Johnston Fellow at the Claremont Graduate University, where he is completing a PhD in American Politics and Policy.

McGowan was one of three finalists selected by Mayor Reed following a national search conducted on the City’s behalf by Ken Taunton of the Royster Group and an independent selection committee.

The Atlanta Development Authority Selection Committee was chaired by Scott Taylor, president of Carter. Other members of the committee were:  Atlanta City Councilwoman Joyce Sheperd, Anna Foote and Julian Bene.

ABOUT ATLANTA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

The Atlanta Development Authority is the official economic development agency for the city of Atlanta. ADA is a research-based economic development organization, focused on residential, business and investment growth in the city. ADA manages the city’s ten tax allocation districts. Visit www.atlantada.com.  

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For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26

 

Mayor Reed: Atlanta Will Be Logistics Capital of Western Hemisphere

ATLANTA (Feb. 4, 2011) - Standing before scores of journalists, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed made a bold prediction this week.

"Atlanta is going to be the logistics center for the Western Hemisphere," he said during a speech before the Atlanta Press Club at 191 Peachtree Tower downtown. The city will reach this lofty goal in part, the mayor said, if the Savannah Harbor is deepened in time for the 2014 opening of the Panama Canal expansion.

The widening project will enable more and larger ships to transit through the Panama Canal. This will lead to more traffic at the Georgia Ports Authority terminals. And much of the product and inventory being imported through Savannah will make its way to Atlanta and Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the mayor said.

This in turn, will help fuel the hope-for recovery in Atlanta's industrial real estate market. 

The mayor steadfastly believes that deepening the Savannah Harbor will increase logistics business in his city. "When we deepen it 6 feet, we are going to eat Charleston's lunch," Reed said last month at the State Capitol.

As part of his plan to make Atlanta a leading global logistics city, Reed also is working to bring more air cargo carriers to the airport. The airport's air cargo business, already up 20 percent in the past year, has a $33 billion impact on the state. 

Moreover, Mayor Reed told the Press Club, "Logistics is in the DNA of the city and state." He was referring to Atlanta's key role in the country's railroad system. This excerpt from Wikipedia confirms the role the city played in the country's logistics timeline: "During the Civil War, Atlanta served as a vital nexus of the railroads and hence a hub for the distribution of military supplies."

Reed acknowledged he'll have detractors as he works to position Atlanta as the Western Hemisphere's logistics center. But, they will not deter him, the mayor said. He pointed to Billy Payne and other organizers who had plenty of people scoff at their vision to bring the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games to Atlanta.