by Mike Ososki, PMP, Public Relations Committee
Collective strength. As metro Atlanta’s “innovation conduit to support the growth and development of our local communities,” the arc of the ARC spans across plenty. Its breadth includes a multitude of ATL regional topics, issues, programs, geographies and jurisdictions, sometimes up to the Federal level. Monday’s Dunwoody Dinner was graced to host and learn more from Mr. Doug Hooker, P.E., the ARC’s Executive Director since 2011.
ARC was the first multijurisdictional public planning agency in the Nation, founded in 1947 as the Metropolitan Planning Commission. Now with nearly 200 employees and a $70M budget, its vision is to identify values, develop policies, and execute plans that matter to residents and communities, to ensure competitive advantage and preserve long-term sustainability. Think of it as our regional “planning and intergovernmental coordination agency.” As Mr. Hooker states, “Not all agencies do all things well, and not all counties are equal,” so it makes good sense to work together and benefit from each other’s strengths. With our $339B economy (34th largest in the world), we surely do benefit to coordinate, a major thrust of ARC’s efforts.
Generally, ARC’s primary geo-focus is the 10 core counties that include 70+ cities. Though for issues like land use, transportation, and water, its 
involvement and influence extend much further. For example, the decades-long “water wars” between Georgia, Alabama, and Florida are an ongoing interstate concern for the ARC. And when it comes to land use and transportation, many more counties much be considered.
Mr. Hooker feels that our area is at a turning point, with significant change afoot. We’re adding jobs at the fastest rate since the Great Recession, and rank 8th in the country for foreign-born population. To develop the “Atlanta Region’s Plan,” the ARC includes a new Millennial Advisory Panel (www.NewVoices.AtlantaRegional.com). Historically, the US workforce has been career-driven, letting the job(s) determine locations. Now, as a major shift, many millennials select locations based first on lifestyle choice, then find the work once residing in their location of choice.
Here are some of ARC’s 2016 top priorities:
• HB170 Transportation Funding Act & Priority Alignment
• Support Fulton & DeKalb T-SPLOSTs (Transportation Tax)
• Regional Bicycle-Pedestrian Trail Plan
• Atlanta Aerotropolis Alliance (improve the airport area)
• Regional Economic Competitiveness Strategy
• Long Range Water Supply Plan
• Aging Services Network Adaptations
• Workforce Development Plan
• Homeland Security (UASI) Work
When asked about ARC and Project Management, Mr. Hooker said that ARC’s consultants routinely use Project Managers, and it may likely now be time to bring PM professionals in directly, too. ARC is at a large enough stage now where they can use Project Management expertise to help them grow, staff, resource and execute effectively. He welcomes ideas.
All in all, similar to January’s PMI dinner presentation about Invest Atlanta, the ARC has an extremely full plate, striving to wisely balance and address a sometimes overwhelming dish of interests, issues, and priorities moving forward.
You ask, “How can I get involved?” Here are some specific areas of ARC needs that welcome your participation:
1. K-12 Education & Workforce Development (Regional Competitiveness Strategy – Educated Committee)
2. Transit Funding and Regional Transit (CQG, ULI/LCC, Advance ATL)
3. Housing Affordability
4. Engage Millennials
5. Economic Competitiveness (Regional Competitiveness Strategy)
Explore more at www.AtlantaRegional.com.