Clifton Community Partnership

Five Questions article:
Five Questions: Michael Starling, senior project manager for life science, DeKalb County Office of Economic Development
August 26, 2008
Source: Community Partnership Update/September 2008

1. What is the mission of your office for DeKalb County?

DeKalb County wants to attract new industries and cultivate existing industries that are growth oriented and yield high-paying jobs. Typically, academic institutions and health sciences institutions are targeted industries that counties aggressively compete to attract. Emory’s recent health sciences plans are significant because of the magnitude of its investment in what I call 'industries of the future.'

2. How competitive is the economic development market?

It's very competitive. I believe that Emory and its facilities will represent the center of the universe for life sciences in Georgia.

3. Clifton Road is known as the 'public health capital of the world.' How will Emory's proposed new research facilities support these facilities?

In my opinion, Emory's new research facilities are the greatest strategic asset for the entire region from an economic development standpoint. The benefit of new research facilities is that research usually creates a 'pipeline' of additional new companies for Georgia that spin off from the research facilities. The ancillary impact on new business is significant. Emory represents world-class health care and life sciences facilities. The synergies between Emory, Yerkes, the CDC, Children's Healthcare and nearby Georgia Tech, create a dynamic atmosphere for new investment and jobs.

4. How do these projects impact the DeKalb workforce?

The educated workforce that we seek is drawn to this type of investment, the jobs that it produces and a unique sense of place, all of which are found in the Clifton community. These young people can work anywhere, and we want them to stay here. Once these workers settle into good jobs, they tend to stay in a region so it is critical to employ them here early in their career.

5. What brought you to DeKalb County?

I moved to Atlanta from Florida prior to the Olympics. I could have chosen anywhere to locate my family in 1995, but I moved to Atlanta, fell in love with the city and its people and have remained ever since. There was great opportunity when I moved here, and that holds true today.