Research Atlanta¹
at the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies

Research Atlanta is a private not-for-profit public policy research organization that studies public policy issues affecting the metropolitan Atlanta region. It represents a unique collaboration between the private sector, which supports the research and sets the research agenda, and the Georgia State University Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, which administers to the organization and oversees the research process. For 32 years, Research Atlanta, Inc. has investigated the causes of and analyzed the alternative solutions to problems that affect the quality of life in metro Atlanta. Research Atlanta advances sound public policy, not a political agenda. Deborah McCarty is the executive director of Research Atlanta.

Research Atlanta enjoyed yet another successful year in 2003. The two major studies released this year generated significant discussion among citizens and key leaders about issues as diverse as open space and the arts. Research Atlanta reports explore the issues and details and offer a panoply of options to consider when crafting policy responses. Research Atlanta was contacted by various nonprofits and interest groups about conducting a record number of client studies in 2003, many of which may be forthcoming in 2004.

Sound public policy requires more than simply informed policy makers. It also demands an informed citizenry engaged in the debate about the issues. To engage citizens in such debate, Research Atlanta maintains an extensive Web site, provides technical assistance and education to community groups and collaborates with other organizations to present special programs. In 2003, Research Atlanta posted information from its reports and continued to use a search engine on its Web site to make it easier for individuals to educate themselves about community problems.

Research Atlanta took steps to reach out to the community by partnering with SunTrust to host an Arts Forum to discuss the study released in September 2003. Over 50 people attended the event, which was held at SunTrust in downtown Atlanta. In attendance were board members, community leaders, and representatives from the arts community from the entire metro Atlanta area. The highlights of the event were the panel members, which included Raymond King, Alicia Philipp, Paul Blackney, Bill Nigut, Michael Rushton and Andrew Feiler. The success of the event was evident in press coverage and interest in the community.

In 2003, Research Atlanta participated in activities around the country. Executive Director Deborah McCarty attended the ARC LINK trip to San Francisco with key Atlanta business leaders. McCarty also serves as a member of Mayor Shirley Franklin’s City of Atlanta Parks Commission.

The initiative was made in 2003 to help found the Metropolitan Atlanta Mayors Association (MAMA) in partnership with the Regional Leadership Forum (RLF), the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA), and the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies (AYSPS). Research Atlanta helped organize the initial event in December 2002 and several follow-up events in 2003, including the reception at GMA in June 2003. Research Atlanta’s Executive Director McCarty has been invited to participate in all the Executive Committee meetings of the MAMA organization. Research Atlanta helped facilitate GMA’s commitment to housing staff on an ongoing basis with the MAMA group, and Research Atlanta plans to be available for their research needs.

Research Atlanta originated on the premise that an informed citizenry engaged in serious debate about the problems affecting their community is essential for good public policy decisions. More than a “think tank,” Research Atlanta engages the public in the kind of discussion needed to resolve issues. In partnership with WABE, Georgia Public Television, Leadership Atlanta, the League of Women Voters of Atlanta-Fulton County, Regional Leadership Forum, and the Atlanta History Center, Research Atlanta has taken steps to plan forums and communication with the public to transmit the data analysis to the community. Past forums have addressed regional decision-making, private management of public schools, the impending water crisis, air quality, and attracting the middle class back to the central city.

Research Atlanta has a wealth of information available on its Web site at www.researchatlanta.org. Reports include metro Atlanta issues as diverse as city services, air quality, public service delivery, governance, public finance, education, housing, and poverty. Particularly valuable reports for today’s policy debates include Developing a Comprehensive State Water Management Plan, What is Social Capital and Why does it Matter? Promoting Parental Involvement in Middle School, Models of Regional Decision Making, Barriers to Education Change, and Is It Better for Michael and Maya? The Research Atlanta city services best practices study, released in 2001, is still being requested and reviewed by the community.

Research Atlanta’s work consistently receives excellent media attention. The Atlanta Business Chronicle released full supplements of the open space and arts study executive summaries to tie in with the release of the full reports by Research Atlanta. Prominent news reporters such as Maria Saporta and Tom Sabulis of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Wendy Bowman-Littler of the Atlanta Business Chronicle are regular attendees of Research Atlanta events. Research Atlanta has strengthened its relationship with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Business Chronicle and WABE in 2003 in many areas including press releases, press coverage, forum attendees, and report releases.

In the 2003 Annual Corporate Fundraising Campaign, Research Atlanta raised $113,325. Research Atlanta also received several in-kind contributions in 2003, including gifts of time and effort such as McKinsey assisting with strategic planning and fundraising planning, Grahm Windsor Group with meeting facilitation and development, and Georgia Pacific with the redesign of the Research Atlanta Web site.

Research Atlanta Project Status

Studies Completed, 2003

Sustainable Funding for the Arts: Earmarked Taxes and Options for Metropolitan Atlanta, Michael Rushton, sponsored by SunTrust, September 2003.

Open Space Acquisitions and Management Opportunities in the City of Atlanta and Adjacent Jurisdictions, Alycen Whiddon, Lee G. Ross III, Caleb Racicot and Laura Kraul, May 2003.

Studies In Progress, 2003

Education Best Practices: Awaiting APS addition.

Dynamics of Change: ARC to begin monthly releases on their Web site of "Dynamics of Change" report, updated with 2000 census data, during the spring and summer. Research Atlanta will have parallel releases on our Web site. The Atlanta Business Chronicle has agreed to release sections on a quarterly basis.

McKinsey: Secured by the efforts of Dave Paterson, McKinsey completed a pro bono study for Research Atlanta which included review of comparable entities in other cities, as well as strategy for the future based on interviews with local stakeholders, and recommendations for the 2003 Annual Fundraising campaign.

Reports under discussion and development in 2003 included:

• Affordable Housing
• Homelessness
• Housing Costs
• A.G. Edwards Pro bono Study
• Literacy
• Education Study for Atlanta Public Schools
• MAMA

Media Coverage 2003

"Adequate arts funding a weighty challenge," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 24, 2003.

"Arts forum tackles the thorny issue of public funding," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 23, 2003.

"Region closer to elusive civic league," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 3, 2003.

ARTS BUSINESS: "Franklin urges funding push," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 5, 2003.

VISUAL ARTS: BACK STORY: "Adding 'Fuel' to beauty of fire; Brazilian's highly conceptual work pushes boundaries," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 14, 2003.

Guide Book: Business: "Seven Who Make a Difference," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 24, 2003.

VISUAL ARTS: "Atlanta's photos track conversion of mill site," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 6, 2003.

"Atlanta trash pickup bills to go up today; Report blames higher cost on inefficiency," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 1, 2003.

"Selling the Southside: Counties team up to promote 'regional brand'," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, June 23, 2003.

"Regional arts chief faces big challenge," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 14, 2003.

Reader Response: "Creative thinking, not taxes, needed for arts," Charles H. Green, Atlanta Business Chronicle, October 27, 2003.

"GSU study looks at feasibility of tax for arts," Atlanta Business Chronicle, September 26, 2003.

BestInAtlanta.com; http://www.bestinatlanta.com/charities3.html

"Open Space Acquisitions and Management Opportunities," Atlanta Business Chronicle, May 2003.

"Funding for the Arts-Earmarked Taxes and Options for Metropolitan Atlanta," Atlanta Business Chronicle, September 2003.

Research Atlanta Board 2003