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 Georgia State University's Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, which administers the organization and oversees the research process. For 35 years, Research Atlanta, Inc. has investigated the causes of and analyzed 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 2005. The studies released this year generated significant discussion among citizens and key leaders about issues as diverse as the homeless, the financial impact of the creation of the city of Sandy Springs, and tax allocation districts. 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 2005, many of which may be forthcoming in 2006.

Sound public policy requires more than simply informed policymakers. It also demands an informed citizenry engaged in the debate about the issues. To engage citizens in such debate, Research Atlanta maintains an extensive website, provides technical assistance and education to community groups and collaborates with other organizations to present special programs. In 2005, Research Atlanta posted information from its reports and continued to use a search engine to its website to make it easier for individuals to educate themselves about community problems.

Research Atlanta took steps to reach out to the community to host Tax Allocation District Forum in March 2005, with a record number of attendees. In attendance were board members, community leaders, and representatives from the arts community from the entire metro Atlanta area. The panelists at this event were Greg Giornelli, President, Atlanta Development Authority; John Matthews, Author, TAD Study, Georgia State University; Carolyn Bourdeaux, Author, TAD Study, Georgia State University; Dick Layton, A.G. Edwards; and Sharon Gay, McKenna Long & Aldridge LLP.

The success of these events was evident in press coverage and interest in the community. In 2005, Research Atlanta participated in activities around the community. Executive Director Deborah McCarty was appointed to the Mayor Shirley Franklin’s City of Atlanta Parks Technical Committee. She also was asked to serve as a Technical Advisor to the Blue Ribbon Commission on the future of Fulton County.

Efforts have been made by Research Atlanta in 2005 to help continue to grow 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. Research Atlanta’s Executive Director Debby McCarty has been continuously invited to participate in all the Executive Committee meetings of the MAMA organization.

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, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, 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 for forums and communication with the public to inform the community about the data. 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 website. 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 Sustainable Funding for the Arts: Earmarked Taxes and Options for Metropolitan Atlanta and Reinventing Municipal Governance: Programmatic Innovations from the New Generation of Big City Mayors.

Research Atlanta’s work consistently receives excellent media attention. The Atlanta Business Chronicle released executive summaries to tie in with the publication of all full reports released 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 continued to strengthen its relationship with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Business Chronicle and the city cable channel in 2005 in many areas including press releases, press coverage, forum attendees, and report releases.

In the 2005 Annual Corporate Fundraising Campaign, Research Atlanta raised about $141,500. Research Atlanta received a grant from the Community Foundation of Metro Atlanta to fund technical assistance for a merger effort, which will result in the 2006 merging of Research Atlanta, the Regional Leadership Forum and the Metro Group.

Research Atlanta Project Status

Studies Completed, 2005

Robert J. Eger III. "Financial Analysis of Sandy Springs," released in the Atlanta Business Chronicle, June 2005.

The Nonprofit Studies Program Symposium on Homelessness was cohosted by Research Atlanta, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Ga., November 2, 2005.

Studies Pending, 2006

The possible study topics for Research Atlanta 2006 include the following:

Technical and Work Force Education - seeks to explore best practices from around the country and innovations that may assist Georgia employers with workforce development, as well as Georgia citizens by addressing the tremendous high school drop-out rate statewide and the associated long-term human and financial costs of this problem. This study will be co-sponsored with The Metro Group.

Fulton County Consolidation Issues - would seek to anticipate the impact of various potential political actions that may result from the Sandy Springs vote for incorporation, as well as a larger effort that would seek to survey successful models (nationwide) of consolidated city/county governments. The study could also include a survey of other regional planning authority models. 

Assessment of APS Per Student Costs - The Atlanta Public Schools received a proposed scope regarding comparison of APS costs per student with several other local jurisdictions, including Clayton and DeKalb counties, a nationwide look at teacher salaries compared to Atlanta, and other reasons why APS per student costs are so high. 

Research Atlanta Board

Executive Committee

Board Members