Metro Atlanta Chamber lays out its priorities to keeping the region competitive after the attention brought by the World Cup and impending political change.
Raphael Bostic, retired president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta (right) facilitates a panel with (from left) president and CEO of Southern Company Chris Womack, CEO of UPS Carol Tomé and Home Depot CFO Richard McPhail, during the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s annual meeting in Atlanta on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer for the AJC)
The Metro Atlanta Chamber on Thursday challenged the business community to help chart the region’s economic path for the decades to come, focusing on housing access, job creation, infrastructure improvements — including transit — and economic opportunity.
In remarks during its 167th annual meeting and in an editorial board meeting with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution earlier this week, Chamber President and CEO Katie Kirkpatrick emphasized the importance of maintaining the region’s competitive edge, especially after the exposure Atlanta received as a World Cup host city.
Change is coming, especially after the midterm election’s blue wave, but she said there’s economic development momentum worth preserving while pursuing new economic priorities.
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President and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, Katie Kirkpatrick, speaks at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s office during an editorial board meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)
Growth challenges
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Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic nominee for governor, speaks during a press event unveiling a proposal to suspend sales taxes on groceries at Al Huda Groceries on Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2026, in Lawrenceville. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)
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Home Depot CFO Richard McPhail, the 2027 Metro Atlanta Chamber board chair, speaks during the chamber’s annual meeting at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta on Thursday, Nov. 12, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer for the AJC)
State investment in transit?
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Metro Atlanta Chamber President and CEO Katie Kirkpatrick (right) addresses the media with Rich McKay. CEO of AMB Sports and Entertainment and 2026 chamber chairman, after the chamber’s annual meeting at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta. (Abbey Cutrer for the AJC)
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Business recruitment
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Health and other priorities
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Zachary Hansen, a Georgia native, covers economic development and commercial real estate for the AJC. He’s been with the newspaper since 2018 and enjoys diving into complex stories that affect people’s lives.
As Deputy Editor for business, Kelly Yamanouchi edits and writes business stories.
