About 1,500 leaders from across metro Atlanta gathered at the Atlanta Regional Commission’s (ARC) 2025 State of the Region event to discuss major challenges facing the region under the theme “Innovation Unleashed.”
ARC Executive Director and CEO Anna Roach delivered the State of the Region address, emphasizing the importance of new ideas for regional progress. “I want to encourage all of you to keep striving and keep innovating. This is essential. No one can tell with any certainty what the future will hold. But we do know that change will be a constant,” she said. “Tackling tomorrow’s challenges will require a spirit of ingenuity. A tolerance for risk. The ability to shift and be nimble. Not to mention old-fashioned grit and determination. I know that all of you, and our great region, have what it takes to unleash innovation, now and in the years to come.”
A keynote conversation featured Roach, Delta CEO Ed Bastian, and ARC Chairman Andre Dickens, who is also Mayor of Atlanta. Their discussion covered topics such as collaboration, innovation, and workforce development.
“It seems like we are saturated here in the United States, but only one in five people in the world have ever stepped foot on an airplane. Think about that,” Bastian said. “So that informs me where we are going to go. We need to make travel accessible. We need to make it more affordable. And we need to make it more sustainable, all around the world.”
During the event, ARC released findings from its 2025 Metro Atlanta Speaks public opinion survey. The results indicate that housing affordability has become residents’ top concern for the first time since this option was included in the survey question this year. According to responses, 28% identified housing affordability as metro Atlanta’s biggest problem; other leading concerns were traffic (24%) and crime/the economy (13%). More than six out of ten respondents said they could not afford to move within their current neighborhood.
Survey participants pointed primarily to developers building expensive units (44%) and investors buying homes for rental purposes (35%) as key reasons behind housing affordability issues in the region.
On artificial intelligence (AI), most respondents believe AI will boost productivity (61%) and about half think it will make life easier (49%), but nearly three-quarters expect AI will reduce available jobs (73%). Concerns about job opportunities have also grown: over half say it is currently a bad time to find a well-paying job.
Brookhaven Mayor John Park gave a What’s Next ATL talk highlighting city initiatives such as infrastructure improvements aimed at reducing flooding and expanding green spaces like multi-use trails connecting neighborhoods. He discussed projects including Peachtree Creek Greenway—built within two years—as well as mixed-use developments featuring restaurants, senior housing, activity centers, and a new affordable housing complex developed with DeKalb Housing Authority.
“We took the Peachtree Creek Greenway off the drawing board and built it within two years. In Brookhaven, we get things done, and get things done quickly. It is a critical piece of infrastructure for transportation and recreation, connecting communities and offering residents access to trails close to home and work,” Park said.
He added: “I’d love to say that as Mayor, I am responsible for all these wonderful things. But you know as well as I do, it’s only possible through a shared vision and a sustained commitment… When citizens and elected leaders in government work together, communities can thrive.”
The event also recognized winners of ARC’s Regional Excellence Awards:
– Clayton County received recognition for its Tara Boulevard LCI Study focused on transforming an 11-mile corridor into a multimodal destination.
– Old Rucker Farm in Alpharetta was honored for its role as a hub for sustainable agriculture education.
– Johns Creek Town Center LCI project was highlighted for converting office park space into walkable downtown areas with retail and green space.
– Pennrose and Mercy Care were awarded for McAuley Station—a $50 million mixed-income development providing apartments alongside supportive services near transit options.
– Douglasville received honorable mention for turning a former jail site into public space with an amphitheater.
Kathy N. Waller received ARC’s Harry West Visionary Leadership Award for her leadership across business, civic, and nonprofit sectors in Atlanta—including roles at Delta Air Lines’ board of directors; Beyond Meat; CGI Inc.; Woodruff Arts Center; Spelman College; University of Rochester; United Way of Greater Atlanta; Rotary Club of Atlanta; among others.
“Kathy exemplifies the balance of strategic leadership and community stewardship that this award represents,” said Roach. “She reminds us that excellence in the boardroom must be matched by service to the community, and she has done both with distinction.”
