ATLANTA-- Atlanta ranks third in the nation among cities with the most Fortune 500 headquarters, behind New York and Houston , according to the Fortune magazine online ranking released today. Fifteen Georgia companies made the Fortune 500 list for 2007, 13 of which are located in metro Atlanta .

“For the sixth year in a row, Atlanta has ranked third on the Fortune 500 list. Even during a slow national period, metro Atlanta has made a strong showing on every measure of economic health – job growth, population growth and housing starts,” said Sam A. Williams, president of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. “ Atlanta 's robust and diverse economy gives our region a strength that continues to attract new business and talent.”

The metro region accounts for about two-thirds of Georgia 's economy, 72 percent of the state's job growth and 72 percent of its population growth. In the last 20 years alone, the population has doubled and Atlanta has become one of the top job producers in the nation.

In 2006, metro Atlanta created more than 60,000 jobs and in 2005 created 70,000 new jobs, making metro Atlanta No. 3 in the country for job creation. Recently relocated corporate headquarters include Merial, Mueller Water, Exide Technologies, Arby's, Novelis, Newell Rubbermaid and Spectrum Brands. Metro Atlanta also continues to see home-grown companies such as The Home Depot, Turner Broadcasting, Scientific-Atlanta and Coca-Cola thrive as household names around the world.

Williams said Metro Atlanta is a magnet for attracting talented people and fast-growing companies. “ Atl anta 's international airport offers companies access to the world. The state's ports, rails and highways are first-class. Our research universities are on the cutting edge. And our quality of life is second to none,” Williams said. “Combine that with the fact that the Southeast as a whole is the fastest growing region of the country, and the benefits of living and doing business in metro Atlanta -- the nerve center of it all -- are clear.”

The Fortune 500 ranking of the nation's largest companies is compiled by Fortune magazine on the basis of 2006 revenue.

Top cities with the most Fortune 500 Headquarters

Source: April 17, 2007, Fortune 500 online

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