Business View Magazine | November 2019

318 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2019 SOUTH FULTON, GEORGIA Moving forward S outh Fulton, Georgia is “Moving Forward,” as it has successfully transitioned all municipal services required by state statute following its incorporation as a city in May 2017. This milestone means the city is equipped to provide world-class services to its approximately 100,000 current residents, and well-prepared for new residents as a result of recent annexation activities. In 2016, the Georgia General Assembly passed House Bill 514 to incorporate the City of South Fulton, which received the signature of Governor Nathan Deal on April 29, 2016. On November 8, 2016, 59 percent of the citizens of South Fulton voted to become a chartered city. Mayor William “Bill” Edwards was elected as the first Mayor of the new city in April 2017, with a 60 percent majority vote, and immediately hit the ground running, conducting his first City Council meeting which resulted in the hiring of an Interim City Manager, City Clerk, and Interim County Attorney. The chartered city of South Fulton includes the communities of Red Oak, Cooks Crossing, Stonewall, Tell, Fife, part of Campbellton, Ben Hill, Sandtown, Cliftondale, and Peters Woods (some founded as towns before the American Civil War), and all remaining unincorporated land in southwest Fulton County with the exception of the Fulton Industrial Boulevard corridor. South Fulton City Manager Odie Donald’s passion for this community knows no bounds. Business View Magazine recently spoke with him about the goings on in economic development, infrastructure, and all the exciting initiatives being undertaken by this thriving young community. The following is an edited transcript of that conversation. BVM: How would you describe South Fulton from an economic development standpoint? Donald: “South Fulton is Georgia’s largest economic development opportunity. Our focus on economic development is monumental for