1 00:00:00,400 --> 00:00:05,480 Speaker 1: The beltline has catalyzed upwards of nine billion dollars in 2 00:00:05,559 --> 00:00:10,160 Speaker 1: private sector investment. It means upwards of fifty thousand permanent 3 00:00:10,280 --> 00:00:15,800 Speaker 1: jobs for local residents. It means fifty six hundred affordable 4 00:00:15,840 --> 00:00:19,400 Speaker 1: housing units. So someone who probably is an arista over 5 00:00:19,520 --> 00:00:23,160 Speaker 1: at Black Coffee atl can actually live on the belt Line. 6 00:00:23,280 --> 00:00:25,480 Speaker 1: Or maybe it's an artist that you know that they 7 00:00:25,520 --> 00:00:27,800 Speaker 1: can have a place to display their art on the 8 00:00:27,800 --> 00:00:32,480 Speaker 1: belt Line. 9 00:00:34,120 --> 00:00:36,120 Speaker 2: Hey, everybody, WoT to the episode of Buttonomics. I'm the 10 00:00:36,159 --> 00:00:38,640 Speaker 2: host Brandon Butler, fanta CEO of Butter atyll And Today. 11 00:00:39,560 --> 00:00:43,040 Speaker 2: That's somebody special in the building, mister Kelvin Collins of 12 00:00:43,080 --> 00:00:44,760 Speaker 2: the Atlanta Beltline. Sir, how are you doing? 13 00:00:44,960 --> 00:00:47,320 Speaker 1: I am doing great, man, great to sit down with you. 14 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:48,200 Speaker 1: It's been a while. 15 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:50,599 Speaker 3: No, man, look at you did? Did you walk over 16 00:00:50,640 --> 00:00:51,320 Speaker 3: here on the beltline? 17 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:51,400 Speaker 1: Like? 18 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:52,200 Speaker 3: How'd you get here? 19 00:00:52,240 --> 00:00:55,280 Speaker 1: Man? Listen, man, you can probably get almost any way 20 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: you want on the belt line, you know. So I 21 00:00:57,960 --> 00:00:59,680 Speaker 1: took a short walk, but I had to drive just 22 00:00:59,720 --> 00:01:01,120 Speaker 1: a little bit to get here. Man. 23 00:01:01,320 --> 00:01:01,880 Speaker 3: Yeah, I was down. 24 00:01:01,920 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 2: I was down on the west side the other day 25 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:04,959 Speaker 2: and I was and I came across all of the 26 00:01:04,959 --> 00:01:06,040 Speaker 2: interest I was like, Oh, I didn't even know it 27 00:01:06,080 --> 00:01:06,840 Speaker 2: connected right here. 28 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:07,840 Speaker 3: You know, y'all are everywhere. 29 00:01:07,840 --> 00:01:10,600 Speaker 1: Man, listen, twenty two miles, you know, thirty three miles 30 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:13,880 Speaker 1: all together when you put in the spur trails. If 31 00:01:13,880 --> 00:01:15,840 Speaker 1: there's a place in the city you want to get to, 32 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:18,560 Speaker 1: chances are the belt Line can get you there. 33 00:01:18,680 --> 00:01:20,520 Speaker 2: Man, look at that. We're gonna talk a lot about that. 34 00:01:20,560 --> 00:01:22,960 Speaker 2: I appreciate you pulling up now. For those who don't know, 35 00:01:23,120 --> 00:01:25,920 Speaker 2: Kelvin is the vice president of Economic Development for the 36 00:01:25,959 --> 00:01:28,080 Speaker 2: belt Line. Now, Kevin, we do some a little bit different. 37 00:01:28,080 --> 00:01:29,320 Speaker 2: You're on button nomics. I don't know if you've seen 38 00:01:29,360 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 2: it before, man, but I like to ask chat cheap 39 00:01:32,000 --> 00:01:34,720 Speaker 2: et to write a bio for my guests, and I 40 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:36,400 Speaker 2: like to read them with chat cheepy t too. 41 00:01:36,720 --> 00:01:38,560 Speaker 3: Chat has some things to say about you. All right, 42 00:01:38,600 --> 00:01:40,560 Speaker 3: you in here. So that's a good sign, you know 43 00:01:40,600 --> 00:01:41,120 Speaker 3: what I'm saying. 44 00:01:41,240 --> 00:01:44,200 Speaker 2: So for those who don't know, I'm gonna read this 45 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 2: and like I say, you tell me, is it is 46 00:01:45,600 --> 00:01:45,880 Speaker 2: it off? 47 00:01:45,959 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 3: Is it always missing anything? Okay? If we can make 48 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:48,480 Speaker 3: a couple of phone calls. 49 00:01:48,520 --> 00:01:51,320 Speaker 2: If ain't right, sound good, let's go for it, Okay, 50 00:01:51,520 --> 00:01:54,520 Speaker 2: Kelvin Collins is the vice president of Economic Development at 51 00:01:54,520 --> 00:01:58,040 Speaker 2: the Atlanta belt Line, where he oversees initiatives that bring culture, commerce, 52 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:01,160 Speaker 2: and community together across forty five neighborho He's focused on 53 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:05,120 Speaker 2: making sure Atlanta's growth benefits local residents and entrepreneurs through 54 00:02:05,160 --> 00:02:09,240 Speaker 2: small business support, affordable commercial space, and workforce opportunities. Before 55 00:02:09,360 --> 00:02:12,680 Speaker 2: joined the Beltline, Kelvin worked extensively in community and economic development, 56 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:15,400 Speaker 2: with a track record of building programs that expand access 57 00:02:15,440 --> 00:02:18,600 Speaker 2: to capital and resources of underserved communities. Today, his team 58 00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:22,160 Speaker 2: is preparing Atlanta businesses for global stages like the World Cup, 59 00:02:22,440 --> 00:02:25,600 Speaker 2: while also investing in local artists and the city's creative economy. 60 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:27,640 Speaker 3: That's what Chad had to say, Man. 61 00:02:28,080 --> 00:02:30,519 Speaker 1: Spot on, Man, spot on it. It sounds even better 62 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,160 Speaker 1: than if I would written it. Man, That's that's awesome. 63 00:02:33,200 --> 00:02:35,679 Speaker 1: It's it's such an incredible honor man, to be able 64 00:02:35,680 --> 00:02:38,920 Speaker 1: to have done this work for the past twenty years, 65 00:02:39,000 --> 00:02:43,560 Speaker 1: you know, really focused on community and creating access, but 66 00:02:43,720 --> 00:02:46,000 Speaker 1: it really started in the streets of New York City, 67 00:02:46,000 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 1: and so to be able to be here in Atlanta 68 00:02:48,120 --> 00:02:50,040 Speaker 1: doing this work with a belt Line, it's a pride 69 00:02:50,040 --> 00:02:51,560 Speaker 1: and joy man, absolutely so. 70 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 2: For those who don't know, man, like, what is you know, 71 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:56,560 Speaker 2: economic development and how did you get into that role 72 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:56,840 Speaker 2: at the. 73 00:02:56,760 --> 00:03:00,960 Speaker 1: Belt Yeah, So just to backtrack a bit, as I said, 74 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:03,799 Speaker 1: you know, this work really started about twenty years ago 75 00:03:03,880 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 1: on the streets of New York. Started off with my 76 00:03:06,639 --> 00:03:09,919 Speaker 1: first gig at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. That's really 77 00:03:09,919 --> 00:03:12,360 Speaker 1: where I got my start. I worked in a couple 78 00:03:12,400 --> 00:03:16,960 Speaker 1: of administrations in New York City mayoral administrations, but I 79 00:03:17,000 --> 00:03:20,440 Speaker 1: really didn't cut my teeth branded and community development until 80 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:23,880 Speaker 1: I got to Harlem. I ran a nonprofit in Harlem, 81 00:03:24,240 --> 00:03:27,680 Speaker 1: and that is if you know Harlem, right, it's about hustle, 82 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:32,799 Speaker 1: it's about culture, it's about people, right. But that's also 83 00:03:32,880 --> 00:03:38,040 Speaker 1: where businesses are being pushed out right with large scale development, 84 00:03:38,160 --> 00:03:40,560 Speaker 1: and residents are often wondering if they're going to get 85 00:03:40,560 --> 00:03:43,000 Speaker 1: a chance to stay in Harlem. And so that was 86 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:47,600 Speaker 1: my first real opportunity to understand the complexity of growth 87 00:03:47,640 --> 00:03:52,920 Speaker 1: and sort of equity and intentionality and development. And so 88 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 1: that sort of work really prepared me in many ways 89 00:03:57,360 --> 00:04:01,080 Speaker 1: to take this challenge on here at the Beltline. So here, 90 00:04:01,160 --> 00:04:03,480 Speaker 1: what we're really trying to do is to use this 91 00:04:03,600 --> 00:04:07,640 Speaker 1: infrastructure project to make a difference in the lives of 92 00:04:07,680 --> 00:04:11,320 Speaker 1: every day Atlanta's right, So you're looking at small business support, 93 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:15,760 Speaker 1: affordable housing, you know, green space. So we're really taking 94 00:04:15,760 --> 00:04:19,159 Speaker 1: what I consider to be an infrastructure project and translated 95 00:04:19,400 --> 00:04:23,479 Speaker 1: it into an economic engine for the city of Atlanta. 96 00:04:24,080 --> 00:04:25,800 Speaker 2: And for those who don't know, mean, yeah, like, how 97 00:04:25,839 --> 00:04:27,560 Speaker 2: would you describe because I know we're talking about the 98 00:04:27,560 --> 00:04:29,080 Speaker 2: Built Line, and what I don't like to do is 99 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:31,640 Speaker 2: one of my favorite books is called The e Myth, right, 100 00:04:31,680 --> 00:04:33,479 Speaker 2: and it talks about this idea of the curse of knowledge. 101 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:35,240 Speaker 2: So it's like, because you have to understand something, you 102 00:04:35,240 --> 00:04:37,400 Speaker 2: think everybody else understands something. So for those who don't know, 103 00:04:37,440 --> 00:04:39,560 Speaker 2: can you explain to them what the Atlanta Built Line is? 104 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:45,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, So imagine abandoned railroads that's been sitting, you know, 105 00:04:45,160 --> 00:04:49,560 Speaker 1: covered in kudzoo for several years. We are actually taking 106 00:04:49,800 --> 00:04:54,880 Speaker 1: abandoned railroads and transforming it into a concrete pathway that 107 00:04:55,040 --> 00:04:59,080 Speaker 1: now is a multi use trail. Right, So imagine if 108 00:04:59,120 --> 00:05:03,600 Speaker 1: you're a biker or looking for a jog. There are 109 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:07,200 Speaker 1: recreational purposes for the belt line, right, but there's also 110 00:05:07,279 --> 00:05:11,120 Speaker 1: maybe a student that's looking to get to a high 111 00:05:11,160 --> 00:05:13,080 Speaker 1: school on the south side of the belt line. They 112 00:05:13,080 --> 00:05:15,479 Speaker 1: can actually use the belt line to get to school. 113 00:05:16,480 --> 00:05:20,640 Speaker 1: So we're really transforming a twenty two mile loop around 114 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:24,279 Speaker 1: the city of Atlanta into this economic engine. You know. 115 00:05:24,320 --> 00:05:26,640 Speaker 1: I was having lunchra a friend of mine the other day. 116 00:05:27,680 --> 00:05:30,680 Speaker 1: We sort of described the belt line almost like a 117 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:35,200 Speaker 1: Swiss army knife, where there are so many components to it. Right, 118 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:39,840 Speaker 1: is this magical tool that arguably is probably the most 119 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 1: consequential economic investment the city of Atlanta has seen in 120 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:49,240 Speaker 1: the past twenty years. So we're using infrastructure, we're delivering 121 00:05:49,320 --> 00:05:53,960 Speaker 1: solutions to communities and really ensuring that there's access around 122 00:05:53,960 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 1: the twenty two miles that the belt line is today. 123 00:05:57,760 --> 00:06:00,880 Speaker 1: There's still parts of their development, right because it's not 124 00:06:00,920 --> 00:06:02,839 Speaker 1: completely finished. I know, there's still some parts that are 125 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:06,279 Speaker 1: still being finished up, right, Yeah, So that's the the 126 00:06:06,320 --> 00:06:10,800 Speaker 1: interesting part. So it's total twenty two miles of mainline trail. 127 00:06:11,080 --> 00:06:15,279 Speaker 1: By the time some off twenty twenty six, we would 128 00:06:15,320 --> 00:06:20,599 Speaker 1: have completed just about eighteen miles of continuous trail. However, 129 00:06:20,640 --> 00:06:22,240 Speaker 1: there's still a lot of work to be done in 130 00:06:22,279 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 1: the northern part of the belt line. The Zion is complete, 131 00:06:25,600 --> 00:06:28,400 Speaker 1: construction is happening, but that is the part of the 132 00:06:28,480 --> 00:06:31,720 Speaker 1: trail where they were not abandoned railroads, so we got 133 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:34,520 Speaker 1: to sort of sneak through neighborhoods and connect the entire 134 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:36,760 Speaker 1: twenty two miles. So that bit of work is likely 135 00:06:36,839 --> 00:06:39,839 Speaker 1: to happen towards the tail end. But we're on schedule 136 00:06:39,920 --> 00:06:42,320 Speaker 1: to be completed by twenty thirty, so we're really excited 137 00:06:42,320 --> 00:06:42,719 Speaker 1: about that. 138 00:06:42,960 --> 00:06:44,600 Speaker 3: And how long has this project been going on? For 139 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:45,280 Speaker 3: those that don't know. 140 00:06:45,440 --> 00:06:49,320 Speaker 1: Well, guess what. This is our twentieth anniversary. So the belt. 141 00:06:49,080 --> 00:06:50,039 Speaker 3: Doesn't seem like it. 142 00:06:50,040 --> 00:06:52,320 Speaker 1: It doesn't seem like it, right, But I would say 143 00:06:52,320 --> 00:06:57,720 Speaker 1: we really build momentum over the last five to ten years. 144 00:06:57,880 --> 00:07:01,320 Speaker 1: That's really when the belt line, the proof of concept 145 00:07:01,400 --> 00:07:04,520 Speaker 1: was in place over on the Eastside trail and everyone 146 00:07:04,640 --> 00:07:07,200 Speaker 1: began to sort of flock the belt line as this 147 00:07:07,600 --> 00:07:11,120 Speaker 1: incredible amenity for the city. So twenty years in, but 148 00:07:11,200 --> 00:07:14,720 Speaker 1: the real work has happened over the last I would say, 149 00:07:14,920 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 1: you know, five to ten years. And that's the beauty 150 00:07:17,840 --> 00:07:21,160 Speaker 1: of it, right, I mean, you have so many opportunities 151 00:07:21,200 --> 00:07:26,840 Speaker 1: for residents, for businesses to relocate for affordable housing. So yeah, 152 00:07:26,880 --> 00:07:29,720 Speaker 1: twenty years in motion, but we think the real work 153 00:07:29,760 --> 00:07:32,760 Speaker 1: is going to continue even after the trail is completed 154 00:07:32,760 --> 00:07:33,600 Speaker 1: in twenty thirty. 155 00:07:34,000 --> 00:07:36,840 Speaker 2: And when you say economic impact, just help quantify that 156 00:07:36,880 --> 00:07:39,040 Speaker 2: for folse who don't know, Like, what is kind of 157 00:07:39,080 --> 00:07:41,400 Speaker 2: the economic impact of the Beltline on Atlanta? 158 00:07:41,600 --> 00:07:45,280 Speaker 1: Yes, that's a great question, so think about Let's start 159 00:07:45,320 --> 00:07:49,560 Speaker 1: with return on investment, right, So the belt line has 160 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:54,720 Speaker 1: seen and catalyzed upwards of nine billion dollars. That's what 161 00:07:54,840 --> 00:07:59,200 Speaker 1: the b in private sector investment. So to simplify that, 162 00:07:59,320 --> 00:08:03,000 Speaker 1: for every dog that's been invested in the project, we've 163 00:08:03,000 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 1: seen a return of ten dollars in private sector investment. 164 00:08:08,920 --> 00:08:12,040 Speaker 1: So what that really means is the part that excites me. 165 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:17,840 Speaker 1: It means upwards of fifty thousand permanent jobs for local residents. 166 00:08:17,920 --> 00:08:22,920 Speaker 1: It means fifty six hundred affordable housing units. Right, so 167 00:08:23,000 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 1: someone who probably is a barista over at Black Coffee 168 00:08:28,080 --> 00:08:31,520 Speaker 1: atl can actually live on the belt Line and work 169 00:08:32,360 --> 00:08:35,520 Speaker 1: right on the west side, right. Or maybe it's an 170 00:08:35,600 --> 00:08:38,760 Speaker 1: artist that you know that whose work we admire. They 171 00:08:38,800 --> 00:08:41,080 Speaker 1: can have a place to display their art on the 172 00:08:41,080 --> 00:08:44,720 Speaker 1: belt Line. Or maybe it's a small business that is 173 00:08:45,920 --> 00:08:48,520 Speaker 1: setting up shop like Mason hot Dogs and one of 174 00:08:48,520 --> 00:08:51,920 Speaker 1: four shipping containers on the belt line. So it's really 175 00:08:51,960 --> 00:08:56,360 Speaker 1: about the people that is kind of the economic impact 176 00:08:56,440 --> 00:09:00,360 Speaker 1: is macro, but when you really simplify it, it's about 177 00:09:00,360 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 1: the everyday people and the impact that we're making on 178 00:09:03,360 --> 00:09:06,880 Speaker 1: small businesses and residents every single day. But I'll tell 179 00:09:06,920 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 1: you it's probably the most significant investment the city has 180 00:09:11,520 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: made and en showing that the belt Line is a 181 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:14,880 Speaker 1: reality here in the city. 182 00:09:15,160 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, and when you know, you talk about like investment 183 00:09:17,640 --> 00:09:20,160 Speaker 2: in how this is such a big investment, Like what 184 00:09:20,160 --> 00:09:21,960 Speaker 2: do you kind of see the beltlines role in like 185 00:09:22,040 --> 00:09:24,880 Speaker 2: the future of Atlanta. For someone who might only think 186 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:27,840 Speaker 2: it's just a trail or someplace to jog a grab food, Well, 187 00:09:28,080 --> 00:09:29,040 Speaker 2: that's the beauty of it. 188 00:09:29,080 --> 00:09:32,360 Speaker 1: And that's why our team is working every day to 189 00:09:32,400 --> 00:09:35,760 Speaker 1: make sure that the belt Line is more than a trail. Right. 190 00:09:36,920 --> 00:09:40,920 Speaker 1: You look at Camkirk Studio that is now set up 191 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 1: out to Camp Kirk, shout out to Camkirk right where 192 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 1: it's creating a cultural hub over on the East Side trail, right. 193 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:55,400 Speaker 1: Or you look at Rivian who recently announced the East 194 00:09:55,440 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 1: Coast headquarters on the belt Line. It's going to bring 195 00:09:59,160 --> 00:10:03,280 Speaker 1: you know, a couple hundred jobs, right, you also look 196 00:10:03,360 --> 00:10:07,800 Speaker 1: at the art that's being embedded in the belt line. 197 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:11,360 Speaker 1: So it's really an opportunity for the belt Line to 198 00:10:11,720 --> 00:10:16,280 Speaker 1: use the infrastructure and transform and create opportunities for everyday 199 00:10:16,360 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 1: people that won't ordinarily have a chance here in the city. 200 00:10:20,320 --> 00:10:22,040 Speaker 2: And so, yeah, how do people get access to some 201 00:10:22,040 --> 00:10:23,760 Speaker 2: of these things? You know, there's so much stuff going on, 202 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:26,000 Speaker 2: you know, you know, I've been in cam Space, I've 203 00:10:26,040 --> 00:10:27,480 Speaker 2: seen a lot of the other businesses around here. Like, 204 00:10:27,480 --> 00:10:29,880 Speaker 2: what are some of the programs that just help because 205 00:10:29,920 --> 00:10:32,120 Speaker 2: you talk about accessibility and affordability, like, we are some 206 00:10:32,120 --> 00:10:34,880 Speaker 2: of the programs that can help you know, creative entrepreneurs 207 00:10:34,920 --> 00:10:37,079 Speaker 2: and you know everybody doesn't have you know, a million 208 00:10:37,120 --> 00:10:38,440 Speaker 2: dollars in the bank, you know what I'm saying. So 209 00:10:38,480 --> 00:10:40,080 Speaker 2: a lot of these especially in Atlanta, you got a lot 210 00:10:40,080 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 2: of small businesses. I know, shot to Terrence at Grady 211 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:44,880 Speaker 2: Baby Co. You know, I know they were not think 212 00:10:45,000 --> 00:10:46,719 Speaker 2: one of the containers y'all had over there too, right, Like, 213 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:48,240 Speaker 2: what are some of the other programs y'all have to 214 00:10:48,280 --> 00:10:49,920 Speaker 2: make this accessible to so many people? 215 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,600 Speaker 1: I'm glad you asked. A couple of years ago, we 216 00:10:53,880 --> 00:10:58,840 Speaker 1: made a concerted effort to build a portfolio programs that 217 00:10:58,960 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 1: is going to do exactly that, like bring tangible results, 218 00:11:03,400 --> 00:11:07,400 Speaker 1: tangible opportunities for small businesses around the beltline. We created 219 00:11:07,400 --> 00:11:13,280 Speaker 1: a Business Solutions Office and within there it's a dedicated, accelerated, 220 00:11:13,360 --> 00:11:18,520 Speaker 1: dedicated turn key solution for small businesses. If you have 221 00:11:18,559 --> 00:11:21,640 Speaker 1: a question, you want to start a business, this is 222 00:11:22,120 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 1: the opportunity for you to be part of a business 223 00:11:24,440 --> 00:11:28,400 Speaker 1: solutions office. We launched Beltline Business Venture. You make a call, 224 00:11:28,520 --> 00:11:32,160 Speaker 1: you get registered, you get training, you get access to 225 00:11:32,520 --> 00:11:35,760 Speaker 1: space and opportunities along the belt Line. So we really 226 00:11:35,840 --> 00:11:39,720 Speaker 1: began to think about how do we make sure through 227 00:11:39,720 --> 00:11:44,240 Speaker 1: the Business Solutions Office that everyday small businesses can understand 228 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:47,520 Speaker 1: what the opportunity is, where to locate, what are the 229 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:49,960 Speaker 1: retail gaps that are around the belt line. A lot 230 00:11:49,960 --> 00:11:53,520 Speaker 1: of times Brandon people are setting up businesses and don't 231 00:11:53,559 --> 00:11:56,560 Speaker 1: really have and understand it is this the right business 232 00:11:56,920 --> 00:12:00,520 Speaker 1: for a particular neighborhood. Is it saturated right? How do 233 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:02,800 Speaker 1: we make sure we provide the data, the guidance and 234 00:12:02,840 --> 00:12:06,640 Speaker 1: the coaching. So a business Solutions office does exactly that. 235 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 1: In addition, we created a Beltline Marketplace, which is a 236 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:19,199 Speaker 1: simple concept of using shipping containers right to create turnkey 237 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:24,320 Speaker 1: retail opportunities alongside the trail, and we have seen in 238 00:12:24,360 --> 00:12:27,800 Speaker 1: the first round of application, over two hundred and fifty 239 00:12:28,480 --> 00:12:30,200 Speaker 1: businesses say, hey, I want to be part of that. 240 00:12:31,520 --> 00:12:34,360 Speaker 1: It's low costs two hundred and fifty dollars a month, 241 00:12:34,920 --> 00:12:37,880 Speaker 1: right for a space along the belt line. You have 242 00:12:37,920 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 1: two point five million visitors coming along the belt line. 243 00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:46,840 Speaker 1: That's unheard of. So that's potential customers for these businesses. 244 00:12:46,880 --> 00:12:49,520 Speaker 1: So there are tons of programs that are available today 245 00:12:49,760 --> 00:12:51,040 Speaker 1: for businesses to tap into. 246 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,760 Speaker 2: Okay, what do you think makes the beiltline unique, especially 247 00:12:54,760 --> 00:12:56,600 Speaker 2: when you kind of compare it around like other urban 248 00:12:56,600 --> 00:12:59,240 Speaker 2: development projects, right, Like, what makes this so different? 249 00:13:00,760 --> 00:13:05,720 Speaker 1: Yeah, So here's the thing. Other cities build a trail 250 00:13:05,920 --> 00:13:10,120 Speaker 1: and call it a day. Right in Atlanta, we build 251 00:13:10,120 --> 00:13:13,560 Speaker 1: the trail and we said we're going to add affordable housing, 252 00:13:14,240 --> 00:13:17,120 Speaker 1: we're going to add green space, we're going to add 253 00:13:17,160 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 1: small business support, we're going to add workforce development. So 254 00:13:21,720 --> 00:13:27,400 Speaker 1: the belt Line is arguably the most comprehensive project of 255 00:13:27,520 --> 00:13:30,200 Speaker 1: its nature, right in compared to other cities. It's a 256 00:13:30,200 --> 00:13:33,880 Speaker 1: linear park. But what we thought that's necessary though, is 257 00:13:34,080 --> 00:13:39,720 Speaker 1: use the infrastructure project to deliver resources and opportunities that 258 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:43,240 Speaker 1: is sort of non traditional, right, and that makes the 259 00:13:43,920 --> 00:13:47,400 Speaker 1: Beltline a unique example, not just here in the city, 260 00:13:47,440 --> 00:13:50,480 Speaker 1: but you know, across the country. I mean, we have 261 00:13:50,559 --> 00:13:54,120 Speaker 1: folks calling us, hey, we want to come and take 262 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 1: a tour. We have international delegations looking to the belt 263 00:13:58,840 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 1: Line as that that standard of what an infrastructure project 264 00:14:04,280 --> 00:14:09,720 Speaker 1: can deliver. But more importantly, though, it's it's really working 265 00:14:09,800 --> 00:14:14,240 Speaker 1: together with heartners, right that have bought into the vision 266 00:14:14,280 --> 00:14:17,240 Speaker 1: of the belt Line, whether or not that is Atlanta 267 00:14:17,240 --> 00:14:21,160 Speaker 1: Public Schools that's partially funding the belt Line through a 268 00:14:21,280 --> 00:14:25,120 Speaker 1: tad or Fulton County that's contributing to the belt Line, 269 00:14:25,200 --> 00:14:29,520 Speaker 1: or the City of Atlanta. There is really this commitment 270 00:14:30,040 --> 00:14:34,480 Speaker 1: across multiple stakeholder groups that's really bringing the belt Line 271 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:38,080 Speaker 1: to life and everyone gets the benefit. I mean, I'm 272 00:14:38,080 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 1: not sure when's the last time you walk on the 273 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:45,200 Speaker 1: East Side Trail, but man, it's it's it's incredible the energy, right, 274 00:14:45,720 --> 00:14:48,200 Speaker 1: and it's it's really where Atlanta comes together. It's kind 275 00:14:48,200 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 1: of like Atlanta's living room, or maybe like a front porch. 276 00:14:51,640 --> 00:14:53,680 Speaker 1: You want to meet up with a friend, you want 277 00:14:53,680 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 1: to grab coffee, or you want to grab a bite 278 00:14:56,400 --> 00:14:58,760 Speaker 1: like you can do it on the belt line. So 279 00:14:58,880 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 1: that's really what makes a belt line a unique story. 280 00:15:10,760 --> 00:15:16,320 Speaker 2: I mean, I haven't fully brought myself to speed on it, 281 00:15:16,320 --> 00:15:18,840 Speaker 2: but I have heard talks about potential rail or train. 282 00:15:19,000 --> 00:15:21,040 Speaker 2: Is that something that's essentially in the in the works. 283 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:22,560 Speaker 2: Is that something being considered for the belt line in 284 00:15:22,640 --> 00:15:23,120 Speaker 2: some areas? 285 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 1: Absolutely so. So transit around the belt line has always 286 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 1: been part of the vision. It's for us, it's it's 287 00:15:31,960 --> 00:15:36,760 Speaker 1: it's equity at play here. It's it's really given individuals 288 00:15:36,800 --> 00:15:40,280 Speaker 1: who you know, want to commute from the southern part 289 00:15:40,320 --> 00:15:42,520 Speaker 1: of the belt line, maybe they have a job on 290 00:15:42,560 --> 00:15:45,200 Speaker 1: the east side trail or maybe up in the north, 291 00:15:45,680 --> 00:15:48,480 Speaker 1: like how do you get out of your car get 292 00:15:48,520 --> 00:15:52,520 Speaker 1: on the trail right use, you know, light rail or 293 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:57,000 Speaker 1: whatever that mode of transportation is to get to your destination. 294 00:15:57,200 --> 00:16:00,520 Speaker 1: So transit has always been part of the vision. We 295 00:16:00,520 --> 00:16:04,120 Speaker 1: think it's incredibly important for that to be realized, and 296 00:16:04,160 --> 00:16:08,280 Speaker 1: we're going to ensure that that happens. And when it happens, 297 00:16:08,400 --> 00:16:12,640 Speaker 1: I think it's gonna bring tremendous benefit for individuals who 298 00:16:12,720 --> 00:16:17,920 Speaker 1: are dependent on some kind of a low cost transportation option. 299 00:16:18,680 --> 00:16:21,880 Speaker 1: That's convenient. We think transit is going to be a 300 00:16:21,920 --> 00:16:24,520 Speaker 1: critical part of that, and we're preparing for that, and 301 00:16:24,560 --> 00:16:26,840 Speaker 1: we're we're looking to make the investment to ensure that 302 00:16:26,920 --> 00:16:27,920 Speaker 1: happens for the city. 303 00:16:28,280 --> 00:16:30,080 Speaker 2: Yeah, man, because look, I'm gonna tell you right now, 304 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:33,040 Speaker 2: y'all gonna put a speed limit on their bicycles on there. 305 00:16:33,080 --> 00:16:34,040 Speaker 3: Man, Like these these. 306 00:16:34,320 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 2: Becomes zooming by you, and you know, for you, for 307 00:16:36,880 --> 00:16:38,320 Speaker 2: people that like walk on and I mean I've I've 308 00:16:38,360 --> 00:16:40,240 Speaker 2: hung out and on the belt Line trail many times, 309 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:42,120 Speaker 2: and there's a couple of parts where you don't realize 310 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 2: how far you gotta go. It's like we're here over 311 00:16:44,160 --> 00:16:46,120 Speaker 2: at one spot, we're gonna walk down there. It's like, man, 312 00:16:46,120 --> 00:16:48,360 Speaker 2: if I could just jump on something and get down 313 00:16:48,360 --> 00:16:50,040 Speaker 2: and this will be so much easier. Right, And so 314 00:16:50,560 --> 00:16:52,400 Speaker 2: I love the idea of just like you know, transit 315 00:16:52,520 --> 00:16:54,840 Speaker 2: being built into that. Is that something that would be 316 00:16:55,240 --> 00:16:56,880 Speaker 2: I just wonder like how would that even Like is 317 00:16:56,880 --> 00:16:58,920 Speaker 2: this gonna be built alongside of it like hypothetic like 318 00:16:58,960 --> 00:17:00,640 Speaker 2: whatever you can speak to around Like what does that 319 00:17:00,720 --> 00:17:01,720 Speaker 2: kind of vision struct. 320 00:17:01,520 --> 00:17:01,920 Speaker 3: To look like? 321 00:17:02,080 --> 00:17:04,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, the great thing is that transit was part of 322 00:17:04,600 --> 00:17:07,520 Speaker 1: the original vision, right of the belt Line. It's it's 323 00:17:07,600 --> 00:17:11,159 Speaker 1: sort of yeah, it was conceived as a transit oriented 324 00:17:11,240 --> 00:17:16,080 Speaker 1: development project. It just so happened that the trail came first. 325 00:17:17,320 --> 00:17:20,120 Speaker 1: And sometimes when the trail comes first, you know, everyone thinks, oh, 326 00:17:20,160 --> 00:17:23,199 Speaker 1: this is it, right, but no, the transit was is 327 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 1: always part of the vision. So as we construct the 328 00:17:26,840 --> 00:17:33,160 Speaker 1: physical trail, we're actually making accommodation for transit. So if 329 00:17:33,200 --> 00:17:35,320 Speaker 1: you ever you walk alongside the trail you see an 330 00:17:35,320 --> 00:17:38,640 Speaker 1: open grassy area right next to the trail, Well, that's 331 00:17:38,680 --> 00:17:41,440 Speaker 1: a transit corridor, got you. So there's there's a lot 332 00:17:41,440 --> 00:17:45,360 Speaker 1: of thoughtfulness and in the process of ensuring that transit 333 00:17:45,400 --> 00:17:49,359 Speaker 1: come alongside the trail, and and so that's gonna happen, 334 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:53,399 Speaker 1: and there's a commitment from the city. Beltline leadership is 335 00:17:53,440 --> 00:17:56,320 Speaker 1: absolutely committed to that. So it's gonna happen. It's it's 336 00:17:56,400 --> 00:17:58,960 Speaker 1: it's expensive, there's a lot of headwinds ahead of us 337 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 1: in terms of the fun but we're absolutely committed to 338 00:18:02,280 --> 00:18:04,360 Speaker 1: realizing tRNS it on the belt Line. 339 00:18:04,680 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 2: You talk a lot about programs and just the opportunities 340 00:18:08,400 --> 00:18:11,560 Speaker 2: that are available for you know, black owned businesses, creators, 341 00:18:11,640 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 2: small business in general. What do you all do to 342 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,480 Speaker 2: help communicate with people and people know these opportunities exist. 343 00:18:17,480 --> 00:18:19,080 Speaker 2: So I think a lot of times people don't really 344 00:18:19,200 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 2: you know, And I've talked with a lot of folks 345 00:18:20,840 --> 00:18:23,760 Speaker 2: about this on the podcast, right, like in general, and 346 00:18:23,880 --> 00:18:25,520 Speaker 2: I've said this before, like, I don't think the city 347 00:18:25,520 --> 00:18:28,040 Speaker 2: does an amazing job always of letting people know about 348 00:18:28,080 --> 00:18:30,240 Speaker 2: certain opportunities that might be available. And so certain programs 349 00:18:30,240 --> 00:18:33,640 Speaker 2: get missed people just don't know about them, or you know, 350 00:18:33,840 --> 00:18:35,400 Speaker 2: it's like a small group people kind of know about 351 00:18:35,440 --> 00:18:37,280 Speaker 2: them and can take advantage where everybody else can't. Right, 352 00:18:37,320 --> 00:18:39,600 Speaker 2: And so you know, what does the Beltline doing to 353 00:18:39,680 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 2: kind of go meet people where they're at they might 354 00:18:42,280 --> 00:18:43,800 Speaker 2: not know about these programs and kind of bring the 355 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:46,080 Speaker 2: information to them so they can actually start to kind 356 00:18:46,080 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 2: of bring them into the fold. 357 00:18:47,760 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 1: Yeah, we can never communicate enough, to be honest with you, 358 00:18:51,119 --> 00:18:54,840 Speaker 1: and the Beltline, as we say, it is the people's project, right, 359 00:18:54,880 --> 00:18:57,520 Speaker 1: and so we have to do everything we can to 360 00:18:57,600 --> 00:19:01,080 Speaker 1: communicate out then, and that's why we're on but Anomics. 361 00:19:02,080 --> 00:19:04,800 Speaker 1: That's that's why we're here. We want to spread the 362 00:19:04,800 --> 00:19:06,960 Speaker 1: word that the belt Line is mode on a trail. 363 00:19:07,800 --> 00:19:13,280 Speaker 1: But also too, we're we have a quarterly business breakfast 364 00:19:13,520 --> 00:19:17,960 Speaker 1: as one example of how we're ensuring that, you know, 365 00:19:18,040 --> 00:19:21,000 Speaker 1: every day people can come together as a community learn 366 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:24,439 Speaker 1: about what's happening on the Beltline. We have a very 367 00:19:24,560 --> 00:19:29,080 Speaker 1: extensive community engagement team and we have a quarterly briefing 368 00:19:29,280 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 1: every couple of months where you can come on larn 369 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,480 Speaker 1: about where we are with the construction, with housing, with 370 00:19:35,560 --> 00:19:40,520 Speaker 1: economic development and and really and truly we want to 371 00:19:40,560 --> 00:19:44,200 Speaker 1: make sure that everyday people have access to this information 372 00:19:45,000 --> 00:19:47,879 Speaker 1: on the belt Line. And so again, there are so 373 00:19:47,960 --> 00:19:51,960 Speaker 1: many opportunities and we are working ever so hard to 374 00:19:52,000 --> 00:19:54,199 Speaker 1: get the word out. But this is a type of 375 00:19:54,240 --> 00:19:57,000 Speaker 1: program and that I believe will will help us spread 376 00:19:57,000 --> 00:19:58,679 Speaker 1: the world. We can do enough of this. 377 00:19:58,880 --> 00:20:00,840 Speaker 3: Yeah, we can get a for a four day man, 378 00:20:00,840 --> 00:20:02,040 Speaker 3: get you out here with the people. You know what 379 00:20:02,040 --> 00:20:05,320 Speaker 3: I'm saying, absolutely absolutely by ways to meet people where 380 00:20:05,320 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 3: they're at. You know what I'm saying. 381 00:20:06,320 --> 00:20:08,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, Well, listen, it's it's when you think about it, right, 382 00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:11,119 Speaker 1: And I said this, you know, the belt Line is 383 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:16,240 Speaker 1: the is the people's project. And you know, I remember, 384 00:20:16,359 --> 00:20:17,879 Speaker 1: you know, when I started in the belt Line a 385 00:20:17,880 --> 00:20:20,480 Speaker 1: couple of years ago, there was this idea of you know, 386 00:20:20,520 --> 00:20:22,800 Speaker 1: whatever's happened on in the belt Line is not for 387 00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 1: everyday people, and what we're trying to de mystify that 388 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:29,200 Speaker 1: with the programs that we're launching right So, whether or 389 00:20:29,280 --> 00:20:35,200 Speaker 1: not it's Beltline business Ventures or the funding fear or 390 00:20:35,440 --> 00:20:38,320 Speaker 1: the pitch competition that we're doing for small businesses or 391 00:20:38,359 --> 00:20:41,920 Speaker 1: the shipping containers, we have for the very first time 392 00:20:42,040 --> 00:20:45,919 Speaker 1: really just reimagined the role of the belt Line and 393 00:20:45,960 --> 00:20:50,159 Speaker 1: the more people can actually hear about this type of 394 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,240 Speaker 1: work and how the two can plug into the belt Line, 395 00:20:53,680 --> 00:20:57,240 Speaker 1: we think everyone wins, and that's really the story behind 396 00:20:57,280 --> 00:20:59,440 Speaker 1: the belt Line. It's not just a trail, it's really 397 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:02,800 Speaker 1: an opportunity so that everyone can sort of get elevated 398 00:21:02,840 --> 00:21:06,560 Speaker 1: and have economic mobility through the Beltline project. 399 00:21:06,640 --> 00:21:08,960 Speaker 3: Funding fair sounds interesting, What's what's the funding fair? 400 00:21:09,280 --> 00:21:12,240 Speaker 1: Yeah? So, you know, one of the things we've heard 401 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:18,840 Speaker 1: from businesses and the data confirms that capital continues to 402 00:21:18,960 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 1: be a significant deterrent for businesses starting and for businesses scaling. 403 00:21:25,520 --> 00:21:31,080 Speaker 1: We're going to bring together a handful of lenders, community development, 404 00:21:31,119 --> 00:21:36,480 Speaker 1: financial institution, nonprofit partners, the SBA. Every year we bring 405 00:21:36,520 --> 00:21:40,920 Speaker 1: them together to really create a platform and an opportunity 406 00:21:41,040 --> 00:21:44,600 Speaker 1: for small businesses to ask questions to know what the 407 00:21:44,680 --> 00:21:47,399 Speaker 1: requirements are. And we've done this. This is going to 408 00:21:47,440 --> 00:21:50,879 Speaker 1: be a second year where we're doing that, and we 409 00:21:51,000 --> 00:21:53,800 Speaker 1: really want businesses to know that the Beltline can be 410 00:21:53,840 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 1: a bridge to connect people to capital, right small businesses 411 00:21:59,040 --> 00:22:01,240 Speaker 1: to capital. And when you do that, you begin to 412 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:05,600 Speaker 1: sort of prepare for some large scale events or you know, 413 00:22:05,680 --> 00:22:08,080 Speaker 1: maybe the World Cup or maybe the Super Bowl. So 414 00:22:08,119 --> 00:22:11,080 Speaker 1: there are real opportunities when it comes to you know, 415 00:22:11,200 --> 00:22:14,520 Speaker 1: where's the information, who has the money? You know, how 416 00:22:14,520 --> 00:22:17,200 Speaker 1: do you prepare to get that bag? As a small business? 417 00:22:17,240 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: You know, let's prepare you. And that's all happening through 418 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:24,520 Speaker 1: our small business support team, I know, a business solutions office. 419 00:22:24,560 --> 00:22:28,400 Speaker 1: So that is just another incredible opportunity for for businesses 420 00:22:28,400 --> 00:22:31,760 Speaker 1: to see the belt Line as a place and a 421 00:22:31,800 --> 00:22:34,440 Speaker 1: program that can really truly help the business grow. 422 00:22:35,080 --> 00:22:37,199 Speaker 3: Now, see, Kelln, you just did something. I don't know 423 00:22:37,240 --> 00:22:39,920 Speaker 3: you noticed it. I heard it. You said this is 424 00:22:39,920 --> 00:22:42,440 Speaker 3: how they get that bag. That's what it's all about, 425 00:22:42,480 --> 00:22:43,800 Speaker 3: and that's what people got to That's what people need 426 00:22:43,800 --> 00:22:44,160 Speaker 3: to hear. Man. 427 00:22:44,200 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 2: Look, I always talk about economic development and stuff like that, 428 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:48,199 Speaker 2: but you didn't tell people like that's they need to hear. Like, 429 00:22:48,200 --> 00:22:51,240 Speaker 2: if you want to get that bag on the belt line, 430 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:52,720 Speaker 2: that's how you got to say it to it. 431 00:22:53,680 --> 00:22:54,240 Speaker 3: I like that. 432 00:22:55,000 --> 00:22:57,080 Speaker 1: You know what it is though, you know there's the 433 00:22:57,119 --> 00:23:02,240 Speaker 1: belt line is this is such an credible transformative project 434 00:23:02,280 --> 00:23:05,480 Speaker 1: and sometimes you thalk about it so much from that perspective. 435 00:23:05,680 --> 00:23:08,200 Speaker 1: But for everyday people, they want to get they want 436 00:23:08,200 --> 00:23:10,879 Speaker 1: to get in on this on the action right and 437 00:23:10,880 --> 00:23:13,280 Speaker 1: and sometimes you know, we got to simplify it and 438 00:23:13,359 --> 00:23:16,360 Speaker 1: break it down. But it's all about the economics, right, 439 00:23:16,400 --> 00:23:19,720 Speaker 1: It's all about you know, can I participate? Is their 440 00:23:19,840 --> 00:23:25,160 Speaker 1: space for me and my simple advice to every small business, 441 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:29,560 Speaker 1: every creative, every button on trumping out that's dreaming of 442 00:23:29,840 --> 00:23:31,960 Speaker 1: you know, being on the belt line. There is space. 443 00:23:32,560 --> 00:23:35,000 Speaker 1: You got to get yourself ready, you know, tap into 444 00:23:35,040 --> 00:23:38,000 Speaker 1: our business Solutions office, you know, get involved in all 445 00:23:38,040 --> 00:23:42,639 Speaker 1: fund and fail pitch competition and get that bag so 446 00:23:43,240 --> 00:23:46,120 Speaker 1: you can position yourself for for success. Yeah. 447 00:23:46,160 --> 00:23:47,080 Speaker 3: I might come out there. Man. 448 00:23:47,400 --> 00:23:48,879 Speaker 2: Look I know how to do a pitch competition. Man, 449 00:23:48,880 --> 00:23:51,760 Speaker 2: I want a couple pitch competitions. I got some ideas. 450 00:23:51,840 --> 00:23:54,639 Speaker 1: You know, we would love listen, we would love to 451 00:23:54,680 --> 00:23:58,840 Speaker 1: have button nomics on a pitch competition, you know. We 452 00:23:58,840 --> 00:24:01,080 Speaker 1: we do that every year. That's the beautiful thing, you know, 453 00:24:01,119 --> 00:24:03,200 Speaker 1: And the more we get the word out is that, 454 00:24:03,520 --> 00:24:07,840 Speaker 1: in fact, last year we did this Brandon, we had 455 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:14,199 Speaker 1: a venture capitalist in the audience seeking out beltline businesses. 456 00:24:14,680 --> 00:24:18,720 Speaker 1: That's looking for angel investments, right, And that's the type 457 00:24:18,760 --> 00:24:23,919 Speaker 1: of creative approaches that we're taking. We're only just scratched 458 00:24:24,040 --> 00:24:28,040 Speaker 1: the surface around what's possible for small businesses on the 459 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:31,879 Speaker 1: belt line. And you know, one of the things you 460 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:35,280 Speaker 1: may or may not know is that we're probably going 461 00:24:35,359 --> 00:24:38,760 Speaker 1: to be at the at the airport right, a beltline 462 00:24:38,840 --> 00:24:43,520 Speaker 1: concept at the airport, right. And when we do that, 463 00:24:43,520 --> 00:24:45,920 Speaker 1: that tells you about the global power of the belt 464 00:24:45,920 --> 00:24:47,920 Speaker 1: Line as a brand. And we can talk some more 465 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:51,880 Speaker 1: about that. But as we open those beltline concepts at 466 00:24:51,880 --> 00:24:56,080 Speaker 1: the airport, we want to bring small businesses along with us. Right. 467 00:24:56,320 --> 00:24:58,399 Speaker 1: It's not just about the belt It's about who are 468 00:24:58,440 --> 00:25:03,080 Speaker 1: the small businesses along the trail that can truly create 469 00:25:03,119 --> 00:25:07,680 Speaker 1: this authentic experience at Hartsfield Jackson right on the umbrella 470 00:25:07,880 --> 00:25:13,120 Speaker 1: off beltline, you know. So we're creating tremendous avenues not 471 00:25:13,200 --> 00:25:17,000 Speaker 1: just capital, but access to market for small businesses around 472 00:25:17,119 --> 00:25:17,560 Speaker 1: the city. 473 00:25:17,680 --> 00:25:19,119 Speaker 2: So what does that start to look like with the 474 00:25:19,119 --> 00:25:21,080 Speaker 2: Beltline at the airport, Like, exactly what does that even 475 00:25:21,080 --> 00:25:21,719 Speaker 2: start to look like? 476 00:25:21,880 --> 00:25:25,240 Speaker 1: Man, you know, I can't let too much about the bag, 477 00:25:25,280 --> 00:25:27,120 Speaker 1: But here's what I'm going to tell you though. Here's 478 00:25:27,160 --> 00:25:29,720 Speaker 1: what I'm going to tell you. We have built such 479 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:36,280 Speaker 1: a powerful brand the Beltline that concession operators are looking 480 00:25:36,359 --> 00:25:39,639 Speaker 1: to us to partner with them and bring in a 481 00:25:39,760 --> 00:25:46,040 Speaker 1: concept of a Beltline branded store at Hartsfield Jackson, right 482 00:25:46,960 --> 00:25:50,600 Speaker 1: and in there, we believe there's an opportunity for small 483 00:25:50,640 --> 00:25:55,479 Speaker 1: businesses to bring the authentic Atlanta wares right into that 484 00:25:55,600 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 1: store to give you know, traveling visitors a very author 485 00:26:00,080 --> 00:26:03,800 Speaker 1: and take Atlanta experience, right. And so that is it 486 00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:06,400 Speaker 1: does a couple of things. One, it really helps us 487 00:26:06,640 --> 00:26:09,640 Speaker 1: amplify the brand of the belt Line because we think 488 00:26:09,680 --> 00:26:13,840 Speaker 1: we got something really unique here, right. And too, it 489 00:26:13,920 --> 00:26:19,520 Speaker 1: really helps small businesses get a foothole into Hartsville Jackson. 490 00:26:20,240 --> 00:26:22,840 Speaker 1: Many of them are probably dreaming of getting access to 491 00:26:22,880 --> 00:26:26,639 Speaker 1: the world's busiest airport, right, And so we're opening the 492 00:26:26,680 --> 00:26:31,120 Speaker 1: door and saying, hey, small business, step in and position 493 00:26:31,240 --> 00:26:34,520 Speaker 1: yourself and try to scale your business through that mechanism. 494 00:26:34,560 --> 00:26:39,240 Speaker 1: So again, the Beltline isn't just this twenty two miles 495 00:26:39,280 --> 00:26:42,359 Speaker 1: that's looping around the city. We're using the brand to 496 00:26:42,480 --> 00:26:46,359 Speaker 1: create opportunities like none other. And that's the exciting part 497 00:26:46,359 --> 00:26:47,280 Speaker 1: of the work. 498 00:26:47,680 --> 00:26:51,200 Speaker 3: No, that's interesting, man, that's just as you said, the 499 00:26:51,200 --> 00:26:52,720 Speaker 3: brand travels very well. 500 00:26:53,480 --> 00:26:57,159 Speaker 1: It show does you know, and it's we can monetize that, 501 00:26:57,560 --> 00:27:00,520 Speaker 1: like that's the beauty of the belt Line brand, Like 502 00:27:01,040 --> 00:27:05,000 Speaker 1: there's actual value. And we've worked so hard over the 503 00:27:05,080 --> 00:27:09,600 Speaker 1: last you know, five to ten years to protect the 504 00:27:09,680 --> 00:27:14,400 Speaker 1: brand because everyone that is building a development project, guess 505 00:27:14,480 --> 00:27:19,439 Speaker 1: what they want to put Beltline on their structure, on 506 00:27:19,520 --> 00:27:24,040 Speaker 1: their development and we're like, hold up, you know that's protected. 507 00:27:24,080 --> 00:27:27,400 Speaker 1: That's our intellectual property. You know, you can just use 508 00:27:27,440 --> 00:27:31,080 Speaker 1: the Beltline. But certainly we can leverage the name Beltline 509 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:36,440 Speaker 1: as we think about opportunities for small businesses and other 510 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:40,160 Speaker 1: ways to sort of monetize the sustainability of the belt Line. 511 00:27:40,560 --> 00:27:43,080 Speaker 1: And so that is a pretty exciting opportunity. When we 512 00:27:43,119 --> 00:27:46,920 Speaker 1: think about FIFA in twenty twenty six, we have a 513 00:27:46,960 --> 00:27:49,840 Speaker 1: global audience coming, so there's going to be a huge 514 00:27:49,880 --> 00:27:53,440 Speaker 1: opportunity for us to amplify the Beltline brand. During those 515 00:27:53,480 --> 00:27:54,200 Speaker 1: times as well. 516 00:27:54,359 --> 00:27:56,160 Speaker 2: Yeah, I was going to ask, like with World Cup 517 00:27:56,200 --> 00:27:58,400 Speaker 2: coming up in the Super Bowl, so many things happened in Atlanta, 518 00:27:58,400 --> 00:28:00,840 Speaker 2: Like how does the Beltline start to play into that 519 00:28:00,880 --> 00:28:01,879 Speaker 2: part of Atlanta story. 520 00:28:02,840 --> 00:28:06,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, well, I'll tell you, as a global audience come 521 00:28:06,920 --> 00:28:11,760 Speaker 1: to Atlanta, they're going to ask where is the real Atlanta? 522 00:28:11,800 --> 00:28:17,080 Speaker 1: Where can I go experience the authentic Atlanta? And they're 523 00:28:17,119 --> 00:28:19,760 Speaker 1: going to be pointed to the Atlanta Beltline as a 524 00:28:19,800 --> 00:28:25,920 Speaker 1: great seamless way to connect to neighborhoods, the culture, to arts, 525 00:28:26,080 --> 00:28:31,120 Speaker 1: right to the culinary experience. So we think the Beltline 526 00:28:31,119 --> 00:28:36,439 Speaker 1: has a number of features that, in my opinion, creates 527 00:28:36,480 --> 00:28:40,480 Speaker 1: a tremendous benefit for World Cup or Super Bowl or 528 00:28:40,520 --> 00:28:45,080 Speaker 1: any large scale events. You think about it. It's twenty 529 00:28:45,080 --> 00:28:48,880 Speaker 1: two miles that's connecting forty five neighborhoods right seamlessly. So 530 00:28:48,960 --> 00:28:52,200 Speaker 1: if you're interested in experiencing any part of the city, 531 00:28:52,360 --> 00:28:54,840 Speaker 1: you get onto the belt Line and you can take 532 00:28:55,120 --> 00:28:58,560 Speaker 1: an amazing walk right, and you can experience that. If 533 00:28:58,560 --> 00:29:02,800 Speaker 1: you're interested in arts and culture, right, the Beltline is 534 00:29:02,920 --> 00:29:09,040 Speaker 1: the longest running outdoor art exhibition in the Southeast. Right, 535 00:29:09,200 --> 00:29:11,080 Speaker 1: you walk in the belt Line, you got murals, you 536 00:29:11,120 --> 00:29:14,840 Speaker 1: get live performances, you got you know, style riding. You know, 537 00:29:14,880 --> 00:29:18,120 Speaker 1: some people call it graffiti, right, it's style riding, right. 538 00:29:18,160 --> 00:29:21,400 Speaker 1: And so you have that, and then you have just 539 00:29:22,680 --> 00:29:28,840 Speaker 1: a handful of businesses that are bringing authentic Atlanta right 540 00:29:28,960 --> 00:29:31,040 Speaker 1: all on the belt line. So you think about it, 541 00:29:31,080 --> 00:29:35,000 Speaker 1: there's so many aspects of what makes Atlanta special on 542 00:29:35,040 --> 00:29:36,920 Speaker 1: the belt line. So we believe the belt line will 543 00:29:36,960 --> 00:29:41,440 Speaker 1: be the way that visitors that are attending the FEEFO 544 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:44,240 Speaker 1: World Cup or Super Bowl, that's how they're going to 545 00:29:44,320 --> 00:29:48,280 Speaker 1: experience Atlanta. So we want to make sure it's a 546 00:29:48,320 --> 00:29:52,080 Speaker 1: safe experience, right, that's the number one priority. But we 547 00:29:52,120 --> 00:29:54,160 Speaker 1: also want to make sure that small businesses get a 548 00:29:54,280 --> 00:29:59,600 Speaker 1: chance to share their goods and their services. And you know, 549 00:29:59,640 --> 00:30:03,120 Speaker 1: if we're to do that successfully, that is how businesses 550 00:30:03,160 --> 00:30:04,680 Speaker 1: are going to be able to sort of scale and 551 00:30:04,720 --> 00:30:07,680 Speaker 1: grow and get that bag right. And that's kind of 552 00:30:07,680 --> 00:30:11,360 Speaker 1: what we're working towards. When you think about FIFA, you 553 00:30:11,440 --> 00:30:14,360 Speaker 1: think about Super Bowl, it's really about making sure the 554 00:30:14,360 --> 00:30:16,960 Speaker 1: belt line is positioned as the way to get around 555 00:30:16,960 --> 00:30:17,360 Speaker 1: the city. 556 00:30:29,080 --> 00:30:31,160 Speaker 2: The topic of affordability comes up a lot, and people 557 00:30:31,240 --> 00:30:32,800 Speaker 2: kind of talk about the Beltline like how do you 558 00:30:32,840 --> 00:30:34,560 Speaker 2: all work to what do you all do to make 559 00:30:34,600 --> 00:30:36,880 Speaker 2: sure that you can kind of balance this idea of 560 00:30:36,920 --> 00:30:39,120 Speaker 2: like growth, you know, with also making sure that it 561 00:30:39,160 --> 00:30:42,560 Speaker 2: still stays accessible to small businesses and creators around Atlanta. 562 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:45,560 Speaker 1: Yeah, that is our number one priority for us. And 563 00:30:46,560 --> 00:30:48,600 Speaker 1: I mean I look back on my time in New 564 00:30:48,640 --> 00:30:53,040 Speaker 1: York City and I saw firsthand what can happen when 565 00:30:53,080 --> 00:31:00,680 Speaker 1: you have development without intentionality and without equity, And we 566 00:31:00,840 --> 00:31:04,200 Speaker 1: are doing everything we can to avoid that here on 567 00:31:04,240 --> 00:31:09,920 Speaker 1: the belt Line. And I'll tell you what matters most leadership. 568 00:31:10,240 --> 00:31:14,479 Speaker 1: You need authentic leadership that is courageous and bold, and 569 00:31:14,520 --> 00:31:17,200 Speaker 1: at the belt Line we have that, you know in 570 00:31:17,240 --> 00:31:21,440 Speaker 1: our CEO, Clyde Higgs, and the entire executive team is 571 00:31:21,560 --> 00:31:26,680 Speaker 1: absolutely committed to using the project to address affordability. And 572 00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:29,320 Speaker 1: I'll tell you how we're doing that. So first, the 573 00:31:29,320 --> 00:31:34,400 Speaker 1: belt Line has acquired over ninety acres of land around 574 00:31:34,400 --> 00:31:37,560 Speaker 1: the belt Line, so we have a very proactive land 575 00:31:37,600 --> 00:31:42,720 Speaker 1: acquisition strategy. When you own the land, you control the dirt, 576 00:31:43,040 --> 00:31:48,200 Speaker 1: so you can dictate affordability. So in various stages of development, 577 00:31:48,240 --> 00:31:51,120 Speaker 1: we have a handful of projects that each of those 578 00:31:51,160 --> 00:31:55,520 Speaker 1: projects have affordable housing as a key component. It also 579 00:31:55,600 --> 00:32:01,000 Speaker 1: has affordable commercial space. As part of the requirement, developer 580 00:32:01,080 --> 00:32:04,360 Speaker 1: that it's interested in doing business with the Beltline need 581 00:32:04,440 --> 00:32:08,320 Speaker 1: to be committed to affordability, right, and so that is 582 00:32:08,400 --> 00:32:12,960 Speaker 1: that is a number one priority. Secondly, we have, as 583 00:32:12,960 --> 00:32:16,720 Speaker 1: I mentioned earlier, we have a Business Solutions Office where 584 00:32:16,760 --> 00:32:20,200 Speaker 1: we're training small businesses. We're preparing them. So we have 585 00:32:20,280 --> 00:32:23,440 Speaker 1: a pipeline of businesses that are ready to scale. So 586 00:32:23,480 --> 00:32:26,600 Speaker 1: you imagine a development let's say Morphy Crossing or you 587 00:32:26,640 --> 00:32:30,840 Speaker 1: know three fifty six University Avenue. As these development projects 588 00:32:30,920 --> 00:32:34,800 Speaker 1: come online, these businesses that we're preparing through our Business 589 00:32:34,800 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 1: Solutions office will now have a physical space that they 590 00:32:38,560 --> 00:32:42,200 Speaker 1: can step into and that that is exciting. Right. We've 591 00:32:43,360 --> 00:32:46,960 Speaker 1: we've scaled our Beltline Marketplace program, which is how a 592 00:32:47,040 --> 00:32:51,400 Speaker 1: shipping container program from two locations when we just started. 593 00:32:52,600 --> 00:32:54,920 Speaker 1: And shout out to the village market that helped us 594 00:32:55,120 --> 00:32:58,440 Speaker 1: get start doctor Key right, She's she's just a force 595 00:32:59,160 --> 00:33:03,800 Speaker 1: here in the and so we started with two locations. 596 00:33:03,920 --> 00:33:07,520 Speaker 1: Now we're moving to four locations. Right. So again we're 597 00:33:07,560 --> 00:33:12,800 Speaker 1: creating affordable commercial space along the belt Line. And I'll 598 00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:18,960 Speaker 1: wrapper by saying, Brandon, you have so many aspects of affordability. 599 00:33:19,000 --> 00:33:23,200 Speaker 1: That housing is one of the most foundational aspects of 600 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:27,040 Speaker 1: the belt Lines affordability strategy. Our goal is to create 601 00:33:27,240 --> 00:33:31,840 Speaker 1: fifty six hundred affordable housing units and we're seventy five 602 00:33:31,840 --> 00:33:34,600 Speaker 1: percent of that goal. We have until twenty thirty to 603 00:33:34,640 --> 00:33:37,959 Speaker 1: do that, so chances are we can exceed, and quite frankly, 604 00:33:38,000 --> 00:33:41,680 Speaker 1: that's still not enough. Right. The belt Line is just 605 00:33:41,800 --> 00:33:46,240 Speaker 1: so unique it has become a destination. But I think 606 00:33:46,280 --> 00:33:52,120 Speaker 1: the combination of bold leadership, commitment to equity, and thoughtful 607 00:33:52,200 --> 00:33:56,280 Speaker 1: programming has allowed us to balance what I considered to 608 00:33:56,320 --> 00:34:03,200 Speaker 1: be economic growth with thoughtful anti displacement solutions. And we 609 00:34:03,240 --> 00:34:05,880 Speaker 1: will never do enough right, but that is the work 610 00:34:05,920 --> 00:34:08,640 Speaker 1: that has to be done, and that is what sort 611 00:34:08,640 --> 00:34:10,600 Speaker 1: of keeps us up at night. That's why we have 612 00:34:10,680 --> 00:34:13,840 Speaker 1: teams that are focused on housing, teams that are focused 613 00:34:13,880 --> 00:34:16,600 Speaker 1: on real estate acquisition, teams that are focused on small 614 00:34:16,600 --> 00:34:20,279 Speaker 1: business support. And I didn't even get to mention that 615 00:34:20,320 --> 00:34:23,720 Speaker 1: we have a facade improvement program where we've invested about 616 00:34:23,719 --> 00:34:26,560 Speaker 1: half a million dollars over the last couple of years 617 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:30,480 Speaker 1: to improve the facade of businesses along commercial corridors right, 618 00:34:30,600 --> 00:34:33,480 Speaker 1: just to improve the look and feel and to make 619 00:34:33,520 --> 00:34:39,960 Speaker 1: it invite in so again, affordability is a priority. Anti 620 00:34:40,080 --> 00:34:43,520 Speaker 1: displacement strategies are in place. We're going to continue to 621 00:34:43,560 --> 00:34:47,399 Speaker 1: double down our efforts stand sure that people who are 622 00:34:47,480 --> 00:34:51,040 Speaker 1: born and raised around the beltline, businesses that have existed 623 00:34:51,080 --> 00:34:54,840 Speaker 1: even before the beltline can have been around legacy businesses, 624 00:34:55,160 --> 00:34:57,719 Speaker 1: that they get to hang around and benefit from all 625 00:34:57,760 --> 00:35:00,480 Speaker 1: the awesomeness that the belt line has bring in the 626 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:04,160 Speaker 1: opportunities to sell their goods and just live and walk 627 00:35:04,200 --> 00:35:05,560 Speaker 1: and experience the belt life. 628 00:35:05,920 --> 00:35:07,560 Speaker 3: Yes, it's amazing. Many is there. 629 00:35:07,719 --> 00:35:10,360 Speaker 2: What's Has there been a moment when you've kind of 630 00:35:10,360 --> 00:35:13,040 Speaker 2: thought to yourself, this is why I do this work. 631 00:35:13,080 --> 00:35:14,239 Speaker 3: This is why I came here to do this. 632 00:35:14,480 --> 00:35:17,359 Speaker 1: Yeah, you know, four and a half years ago. It 633 00:35:17,400 --> 00:35:20,320 Speaker 1: was a bold decision, right to leave New York City 634 00:35:20,320 --> 00:35:25,600 Speaker 1: and come to Atlanta. And I'll tell you the reason. 635 00:35:26,320 --> 00:35:28,480 Speaker 1: Of course, it's an incredible project. Right if you're in 636 00:35:28,520 --> 00:35:31,520 Speaker 1: this economic development space, you know, you'll probably be living 637 00:35:31,560 --> 00:35:33,200 Speaker 1: on the rock if you don't know about the Atlitta 638 00:35:33,239 --> 00:35:37,200 Speaker 1: belt Line, right, But you know, I did my research, 639 00:35:37,600 --> 00:35:42,399 Speaker 1: and Atlanta is in such an incredible position to address 640 00:35:42,920 --> 00:35:45,080 Speaker 1: some of the challenges that some of the biggest cities 641 00:35:45,280 --> 00:35:49,880 Speaker 1: have experienced right around this placement and lack of opportunities 642 00:35:49,920 --> 00:35:54,239 Speaker 1: for small and some local residents. And so when I 643 00:35:54,280 --> 00:35:56,839 Speaker 1: looked at the leadership of the Atlanta belt Line at 644 00:35:56,840 --> 00:36:00,359 Speaker 1: the time, I was convinced that the leadership was in 645 00:36:00,440 --> 00:36:05,759 Speaker 1: place that had a commitment to equity to inclusion. And 646 00:36:06,840 --> 00:36:10,680 Speaker 1: I knew that once that's in place, it gives us 647 00:36:10,719 --> 00:36:15,279 Speaker 1: the opportunity to put thoughtful programming in place. And our 648 00:36:15,360 --> 00:36:18,839 Speaker 1: leadership has created that space and that latitude to do 649 00:36:19,000 --> 00:36:21,799 Speaker 1: just that. And so when I wake up every single day, 650 00:36:21,840 --> 00:36:24,440 Speaker 1: that's what I think about. How can we use the 651 00:36:24,480 --> 00:36:30,120 Speaker 1: Beltline as a mechanism right for transformation. And so the 652 00:36:30,200 --> 00:36:32,560 Speaker 1: team whether or not it's a career fair, and we 653 00:36:32,640 --> 00:36:35,799 Speaker 1: had a career fair not too long ago. And can 654 00:36:35,840 --> 00:36:39,400 Speaker 1: I tell you, Brandon, we had over six hundred West 655 00:36:39,400 --> 00:36:42,600 Speaker 1: Side residents show up to a CAREFA. That tells you 656 00:36:42,640 --> 00:36:46,560 Speaker 1: people want jobs. There's a real need out there. And 657 00:36:46,600 --> 00:36:49,239 Speaker 1: here comes the Beltline again, connecting the dots. We had 658 00:36:49,239 --> 00:36:54,440 Speaker 1: employers like Emory Healthcare, Notside, you know, Hilton Hotel, the 659 00:36:54,480 --> 00:36:59,200 Speaker 1: City of Atlanta, just bringing opportunities to the people. So 660 00:36:59,280 --> 00:37:02,799 Speaker 1: I got to tell you this, I'm having fun, right, 661 00:37:02,800 --> 00:37:05,200 Speaker 1: but it's it's hard work. It's it's hard work. Well, 662 00:37:05,200 --> 00:37:08,359 Speaker 1: when you know that the work that you're doing is 663 00:37:08,480 --> 00:37:12,920 Speaker 1: actually moving the needle for everyday people, man, you just 664 00:37:12,960 --> 00:37:14,600 Speaker 1: can't wait to get up the next day and do 665 00:37:14,680 --> 00:37:17,040 Speaker 1: it all over again. So that's kind of why I'm 666 00:37:17,120 --> 00:37:18,800 Speaker 1: doing this work on the belt Line. 667 00:37:19,000 --> 00:37:19,200 Speaker 3: Yeah. 668 00:37:19,320 --> 00:37:22,000 Speaker 2: And something that's also unique, you know it is you know, 669 00:37:22,120 --> 00:37:25,080 Speaker 2: Beltline CEO Clyde. I mean, this is his baby too, right, 670 00:37:25,200 --> 00:37:27,000 Speaker 2: Like this is literally a project that he pretty much 671 00:37:27,000 --> 00:37:28,880 Speaker 2: almost came up with, is my understanding, you know what 672 00:37:28,920 --> 00:37:30,360 Speaker 2: I mean, it's kind of and now he's leading that 673 00:37:30,440 --> 00:37:32,959 Speaker 2: so even again, this is not something that the city 674 00:37:33,080 --> 00:37:34,840 Speaker 2: just came up with on their own. This is somebody 675 00:37:34,840 --> 00:37:37,440 Speaker 2: you know, who makes me mobilized this and and it's 676 00:37:37,520 --> 00:37:39,160 Speaker 2: kind of brought it to life. But it's also still 677 00:37:39,200 --> 00:37:40,839 Speaker 2: involved in it. So I'm sure it says a very 678 00:37:40,840 --> 00:37:42,160 Speaker 2: personal project to him as well. 679 00:37:42,280 --> 00:37:45,360 Speaker 1: Oh absolutely, And as I said, leadership matters, and Clyde 680 00:37:45,360 --> 00:37:51,200 Speaker 1: has been explicit that this project is, you know, arguably 681 00:37:51,239 --> 00:37:54,239 Speaker 1: the most significant for the city, and he has been 682 00:37:55,080 --> 00:37:58,560 Speaker 1: on our entire team that it's about excellence. How do 683 00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:01,400 Speaker 1: we execute with X lens? Right? How do we ensure 684 00:38:02,360 --> 00:38:05,319 Speaker 1: that everything that we do is about the people, right, 685 00:38:05,440 --> 00:38:10,319 Speaker 1: It's about ensuring that our partners are well informed about 686 00:38:10,360 --> 00:38:12,680 Speaker 1: what we're doing, how we're doing it, and that we're 687 00:38:12,760 --> 00:38:18,080 Speaker 1: delivering tangible results. You know. You know, several years ago, 688 00:38:18,360 --> 00:38:22,120 Speaker 1: all right, there wasn't any evidence of well, is this 689 00:38:22,239 --> 00:38:25,880 Speaker 1: belt line gonna come to fruition? Right? Is it even possible? 690 00:38:25,920 --> 00:38:28,359 Speaker 1: There were a lot of detractors. There were a lot 691 00:38:28,360 --> 00:38:32,200 Speaker 1: of doubters. The funding. Sometimes we're not there. I mean, 692 00:38:32,200 --> 00:38:35,440 Speaker 1: there's still some challenges with funding, but you know, there 693 00:38:35,640 --> 00:38:40,920 Speaker 1: there's never been a clearer line of sight under Clyde's 694 00:38:41,000 --> 00:38:46,239 Speaker 1: leadership to achieve the objectives of the belt Line. And 695 00:38:46,560 --> 00:38:49,920 Speaker 1: he's an incredible leader. The team in place is working 696 00:38:50,000 --> 00:38:53,000 Speaker 1: hard every single day and we're doing that on behalf 697 00:38:53,120 --> 00:38:55,520 Speaker 1: of the city of Atlanta, and that to me to 698 00:38:55,520 --> 00:38:58,799 Speaker 1: be part of that is just an incredible honor every 699 00:38:58,800 --> 00:38:59,359 Speaker 1: single day. 700 00:39:00,120 --> 00:39:04,239 Speaker 2: You know, So fast forward ten years from now, what 701 00:39:04,719 --> 00:39:09,440 Speaker 2: impact is the Beltline having on Atlanta's cultural economy in Europigon? 702 00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:12,239 Speaker 1: Yeah, wow, that's a that's a great question. If I 703 00:39:12,280 --> 00:39:15,000 Speaker 1: can sit right now and tell you I know exactly, Brandon, 704 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:18,239 Speaker 1: I'll be it would be a fit you know. But 705 00:39:18,520 --> 00:39:21,080 Speaker 1: what I'll tell you though, is that I don't know 706 00:39:21,120 --> 00:39:25,879 Speaker 1: that anyone imagined that here today the belt line will 707 00:39:25,920 --> 00:39:29,239 Speaker 1: be delivering you know, upwards of nine billion dollars in 708 00:39:29,560 --> 00:39:32,360 Speaker 1: private sector investment for the city of Atlanta. So you 709 00:39:32,360 --> 00:39:36,520 Speaker 1: imagine ten fifteen, that could double and triple. You know, 710 00:39:36,640 --> 00:39:40,080 Speaker 1: affordable housing is a key component, Like we imagine a 711 00:39:40,120 --> 00:39:45,920 Speaker 1: belt line that has a diverse mix of you know, 712 00:39:46,080 --> 00:39:50,360 Speaker 1: small businesses, large businesses. You know, residents that are that 713 00:39:50,440 --> 00:39:55,080 Speaker 1: are able to live and walk to work and come back, 714 00:39:55,239 --> 00:39:59,040 Speaker 1: or maybe an APS teacher that's educating all kids can 715 00:39:59,320 --> 00:40:03,400 Speaker 1: can walk from home to school. Right, So this real 716 00:40:04,280 --> 00:40:08,759 Speaker 1: community of connectivity around the belt line. We think that 717 00:40:09,080 --> 00:40:13,359 Speaker 1: that is absolutely the future of what Atlanta is going 718 00:40:13,440 --> 00:40:17,000 Speaker 1: to be. And so we're invested in that today. But 719 00:40:17,080 --> 00:40:20,200 Speaker 1: we cannot leave it to chance. So even when the 720 00:40:20,200 --> 00:40:25,279 Speaker 1: beltline is completed in twenty thirty, we still believe that 721 00:40:25,400 --> 00:40:28,880 Speaker 1: a lot of work has to be done to ensure 722 00:40:29,360 --> 00:40:33,439 Speaker 1: that the economic opportunities gets to the people who need 723 00:40:33,480 --> 00:40:36,680 Speaker 1: it more. So, again, twenty thirty, the trailer is going 724 00:40:36,760 --> 00:40:41,040 Speaker 1: to be done, but we believe that in order to 725 00:40:41,160 --> 00:40:45,879 Speaker 1: ensure that the beltline delivers the value for the community 726 00:40:46,200 --> 00:40:50,880 Speaker 1: that we need programs, we need resources, we need thoughtful leadership, 727 00:40:51,239 --> 00:40:54,200 Speaker 1: and we need the Beltline to continue to do that 728 00:40:54,280 --> 00:40:56,920 Speaker 1: work on behalf of the city. And that to me, 729 00:40:57,440 --> 00:40:59,840 Speaker 1: ten twenty years from now, we want to see this. 730 00:41:00,080 --> 00:41:06,080 Speaker 1: We're continuing to be an incredible opportunity for the city 731 00:41:06,160 --> 00:41:09,040 Speaker 1: to be a global beacon as we know it is. 732 00:41:10,640 --> 00:41:11,799 Speaker 1: So I'm excited about that. 733 00:41:12,120 --> 00:41:14,640 Speaker 2: Yeah, man, this is amazing. Man, Look, this has been 734 00:41:14,680 --> 00:41:16,960 Speaker 2: amazing conversation. Before we wrap up and get out of here, 735 00:41:17,000 --> 00:41:19,560 Speaker 2: can you tell people how can they get more information 736 00:41:19,640 --> 00:41:21,839 Speaker 2: about these programs in the Beltline. How can they learn 737 00:41:21,840 --> 00:41:24,040 Speaker 2: more about the funding Fair when it gets ready to happen, 738 00:41:24,040 --> 00:41:26,319 Speaker 2: how can they you know, the pitch competition, Like give 739 00:41:26,360 --> 00:41:27,279 Speaker 2: them all the things. 740 00:41:27,040 --> 00:41:31,000 Speaker 1: Man, Yeah, so the Beltline. You can log onto our 741 00:41:31,040 --> 00:41:34,640 Speaker 1: website beltline dot org. That's a great way to get 742 00:41:34,680 --> 00:41:38,920 Speaker 1: all the information that you need on the Beltline. Again, 743 00:41:39,000 --> 00:41:42,239 Speaker 1: we have a business solutions office where all the programs 744 00:41:42,560 --> 00:41:47,320 Speaker 1: and resources are available. We have annual pitch competition, annual 745 00:41:47,400 --> 00:41:51,560 Speaker 1: funding Fair, quarterly Breakfast. I mean, there are resources like 746 00:41:51,719 --> 00:41:56,880 Speaker 1: never before available through the Atlanta Beltline, and this is 747 00:41:56,920 --> 00:42:00,080 Speaker 1: the time to get in and get that opportunity and 748 00:42:00,160 --> 00:42:03,800 Speaker 1: positioning yourself for success, because we are building the future 749 00:42:03,840 --> 00:42:07,200 Speaker 1: of Atlanta right here, right now, and the Atlanta Beltline 750 00:42:07,400 --> 00:42:09,600 Speaker 1: is part of that process and we would love for 751 00:42:09,640 --> 00:42:11,640 Speaker 1: you to be part of that journey with us. 752 00:42:12,360 --> 00:42:14,000 Speaker 3: Hey Man, thank you so much for pulling up. 753 00:42:14,040 --> 00:42:17,239 Speaker 2: This has been a great conversation, I think as it's 754 00:42:17,280 --> 00:42:19,920 Speaker 2: also you know, demystified. Thanks, people may or may not 755 00:42:19,960 --> 00:42:21,680 Speaker 2: understood about the Beltline of some of the programs. I 756 00:42:21,680 --> 00:42:23,480 Speaker 2: didn't even know just many programs going on down that 757 00:42:23,520 --> 00:42:25,760 Speaker 2: they're available. So I'm hoping that people take this information 758 00:42:26,440 --> 00:42:28,160 Speaker 2: do something with it. You know, we're very big on 759 00:42:28,200 --> 00:42:30,680 Speaker 2: button Nomics. We'll giving people resources and access to info, 760 00:42:30,800 --> 00:42:33,320 Speaker 2: and so I think you kind of have uncovered a 761 00:42:33,320 --> 00:42:34,840 Speaker 2: lot of opportunities out there, and I really hope that 762 00:42:34,840 --> 00:42:35,880 Speaker 2: people do take advantage of it. 763 00:42:35,920 --> 00:42:38,080 Speaker 1: Man, awesome one. Thank you so much for having us on, 764 00:42:38,200 --> 00:42:41,040 Speaker 1: Man and look forward to doing this again. And hopefully 765 00:42:41,080 --> 00:42:42,160 Speaker 1: I'll see you on the belt Line. 766 00:42:42,320 --> 00:42:45,000 Speaker 3: Oh trust me you will. And that's it. 767 00:42:45,000 --> 00:42:48,120 Speaker 2: That's the pod job we out peace. You've been listening 768 00:42:48,200 --> 00:42:50,399 Speaker 2: to Button Nomics and I'm your host, Brandon Butler. Got 769 00:42:50,440 --> 00:42:53,200 Speaker 2: comments feedback? Want to be on the show, Send us 770 00:42:53,200 --> 00:42:56,439 Speaker 2: an email today. At Hello at butteronomics dot com. Button 771 00:42:56,480 --> 00:42:59,600 Speaker 2: Nomics is produced in Atlanta, Georgia at iHeartMedia by Casey 772 00:42:59,719 --> 00:43:02,720 Speaker 2: peg Them, with marketing support from Queen and Nikki music 773 00:43:02,760 --> 00:43:05,400 Speaker 2: provided by mister Hanky. If you haven't already, hit that 774 00:43:05,440 --> 00:43:07,919 Speaker 2: subscribe button and never missed an episode, and be sure 775 00:43:07,920 --> 00:43:10,359 Speaker 2: to follow us on all our social platforms at butter 776 00:43:10,440 --> 00:43:13,759 Speaker 2: dot at L. Listen to Better Nomics on the iHeartRadio app, 777 00:43:13,800 --> 00:43:16,319 Speaker 2: Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts