DT #660 The Atlanta Beltline Story: Balancing Growth, Equity, and Opportunity
About this episode
The episode discusses the Atlanta Beltline project and its focus on community-led development and equitable growth.
What does it take to transform a community while ensuring everyone benefits from the growth? In this episode of Develop This!, Dennis Fraise speaks with Clyde Higgs , President & CEO of Atlanta Beltline, Inc , about one of the most ambitious community redevelopment projects in the United States. Clyde shares his unique journey from healthcare leadership into economic development and explains how large-scale infrastructure projects can serve as catalysts for economic growth, community revitalization, and long-term opportunity. A major focus of the conversation is community-led development. Rather than imposing change from the top down, the Atlanta BeltLine has prioritized public engagement, trust-building, and ensuring that residents have a voice in shaping the future of their neighborhoods. The discussion also explores the challenges of balancing growth with equity, particularly when it comes to housing affordability and ensuring redevelopment benefits both existing and future residents. Throughout the episode, Clyde highlights the importance of mentorship, relationship-building, and lifelong learning as essential leadership skills for economic developers navigating increasingly…
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