schools—Harvard, Yale, Cornell,” he says, emphasizing the program’s ability to prepare students for careers in everything from emergency medicine to anthropology. Mayor Owens also points to Betty Gray Middle School, the newest in Cobb County, which boasts a cuttingedge computer lab and a growing medical sciences curriculum.“These programs speak to the innovation happening in our schools,” he says, emphasizing how Mableton prepares students for the challenges of a 21st-century economy. However, he acknowledges that the city’s schools have faced challenges related to housing instability and transience in the community.“We’ve seen changes year over year, but there’s still work to be done,” he adds. In response, the mayor has launched the Mayor’s Educational Impact Fund, a new initiative to strengthen ties between Mableton’s schools, the business community,and local government.“A city can be no stronger than its schools,” he says, explaining his belief that schools and cities have a reciprocal relationship—better schools attract businesses and families, while the city can amplify the achievements happening in the schools. The fund, structured as a nonprofit, brings together educators, business leaders, and education consultants to help spotlight the achievements of local schools and create new opportunities for students. BUILDING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND SMART CITY SOLUTIONS As a newly incorporated city, Mableton carefully analyzes the complex process of building its critical infrastructure. Mayor Owens highlights that the city’s charter provides a two-year transition period to establish services such as planning and zoning, sanitation, code enforcement, and parks and recreation.“These are the initial services we’re taking over during the transition,” he says, acknowledging that critical infrastructure is expensive and resourceintensive. Mableton now relies on partnerships with Cobb County to ensure seamless service delivery. The mayor points out that long-term infrastructure needs will be shaped by Mableton’s comprehensive plan, Mableton 25, which is currently being developed. This plan will guide where infrastructure upgrades 174 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 11
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