Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce Report Reveals High-Tech Companies Making Significant Impact on the Metro Area’s Economy

High-tech companies made up nearly half of new businesses

in Atlanta in 1999

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce today announced the release of the New Business Quarterly report for 1999. The report, which analyzes the impact of new or expanding businesses on Metro Atlanta’s economy, reveals that high-tech companies made up nearly half of all new businesses that expanded in or relocated to the Metro area in 1999.

Compiled by the Chamber’s Economic Expansion and Research Departments, the report states that high-tech or “Industries of the Mind” companies helped add 6,600 new technology jobs to Atlanta’s economy, nearly 60 percent of the total jobs created by all Metro Atlanta new businesses.

“High-technology companies realize that Atlanta’s pool of technology talent, lifestyle, business resources and infrastructure make it the ideal city in which to grow their businesses,” said Hans Gant, senior vice president of economic development for the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “We are pleased that so many technology companies are choosing to call Atlanta home.”

High-tech companies defined in the report include telecommunications, computer services/software, high-tech manufacturing and bio-tech/bio-medical companies in the Metro Atlanta area. Companies that expanded in or relocated to the Metro Atlanta area during the fourth quarter include Tradex Technologies (from Tampa, Fla.), e-Solutions Software, Exodus Communications, Healtheon (the California company relocated after merging with WebMD) and NETSchools (from California).

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce New Business Quarterly tracks the activity of existing companies expanding or relocating into the 20-county metropolitan Atlanta area from outside the region. Each new metro Atlanta business announcement is researched and verified by the Chamber Research Department. To purchase a copy of the fourth quarter New Business Quarterly, contact the Chamber’s Public Information Department at 404/586-8403.

About Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s “Industries of the Mind”:

The Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce’s “Industries of the Mind” is a five-year economic development campaign with the goal of recruiting technology industries and talent to the metropolitan Atlanta area and to provide resources and support to enable companies to expand and grow. The initiative will help build and develop Atlanta’s high-tech talent, attract high-tech companies to the city and create awareness of Atlanta as one of America’s great technology centers. For more information on Industries of the Mind, visit www.atlantasmartcity.com or www.metroatlantachamber.com. For more information on participating in the “Industries of the Mind” initiative, contact the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce at 404/880-9000.