Georgia State University President, Dr. Mark P. Becker, is highlighting the long-term benefits of fostering Atlanta’s innovation economy. In an opinion piece published by Metro Atlanta CEO, Becker encourages the creation
Georgia State University President, Dr. Mark P. Becker, is highlighting the long-term benefits of fostering Atlanta's innovation economy. In an opinion piece published by Metro Atlanta CEO, Becker encourages the creation of intellectual capital, commercialization and talent acquisition which he maintains will enhance the region's competitiveness in the global marketplace. The piece begins: "Now more than ever, innovation is recognized as a key catalyst driving regional prosperity and economic growth. A region’s innovation economy relies heavily on its ability to produce new ideas, technologies, products and processes. Understanding who and what compose the innovation ecosystem is crucial for making informed decisions about how to stimulate and sustain the growth of a region." Dr. Becker references the recently released Metro Atlanta Innovation Indicators Project. The project report provides comprehensive innovation data collected from Metro Atlanta's 29-county area and evaluates the region's standing against other U.S. cities. Drawing from the data, Dr. Becker concludes: "Atlanta is being recognized as one of the top 10 markets for technology talent and one of the top three in the U.S. for STEM employment growth. Entrepreneurs are recognizing metro Atlanta as one of the best places in the country to start companies, particularly if the venture is serving other businesses. Eighty percent of Fortune 500 companies have a presence in metro Atlanta, 80 percent of the entire U.S. consumer market is within a two-hour flight, and Georgia is ranked the best state for business by Area Development for the third year in a row."
