Page 48 - FDI Alliance International Magazine. Spring 2021 Digital Interactive Issue

three core areas: commercial, industrial of a 125,000 sq. ft. marketplace offering
and residential. 100 boutique shopping experiences, three
full-service restaurants, 10 food court style
The Stonecrest Commercial Segment of the restaurant options and a small format fresh
economic development strategy is driven by fruit and vegetable focused grocery store.
two key factors: The projected opening date for the market is
Memorial Day 2021. This development will
dot- The major corporations based in Stonecrest provide additional foot traffic and rooftops
dot- The strong, determined entrepreneurial to support and grow this local commercial
community of business people. center.
angl RETAIL angl ENTREPRENEURSHIP
As it has been across the globe, retail has The City of Stonecrest has also placed a razor-
taken a dramatically hard hit due to the sharp focus on its entrepreneurial community
pandemic. Health concerns related to the by supporting the efforts of local business
gathering of large crowds and the effect of incubators and chambers of commerce.
angl BACKGROUND / DEMOS ever-growing online retail shopping options By sharing information and establishing
At 38 square miles, Stonecrest, Georgia is have also presented a radical challenge opportunities to collaborate and expand their
the second largest city in DeKalb County. to retail. Even so, The Mall at Stonecrest business offerings, entrepreneurs are able
The city occupies the southeastern border has managed to engage “out-of-the-box” to survive, even in light of the horrendous
of the county with Interstate 20 as its major innovative strategies that have allowed it to pandemic we have faced over the past year.
express thoroughfare. strive, remain fiscally healthy and to exceed
the national average for retail occupancy. angl INDUSTRIAL
Of the 54,000 population, there is an average Our industrial segment is powerfully robust.
age of 32.8 years old that exceeds the state angl LIFESTYLE Among a number of notable industrial
and national average in college/university A major, upcoming development will be the accomplishments, The City of Stonecrest
attendance and household income. Over groundbreaking of the $700 million “New will also be the home to Home Depot’s new
60% of Stonecrest residents are employed Black Wall Street International Village”. The 615,000-square-foot flatbed delivery center.
as white-collar professionals. development is a 300+ acre mixed-use Mayor Jason Lary declares, “Home Depot
development. The Village is designed to be is a Forbes 100 domestic and international
angl ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT a thriving live-work-play environment that is company. This will certainly be the first phase
Visionary, Founder & Mayor of Stonecrest, most desired by young, urban professionals of our strategic economic development plan
Jason Lary credits the growth of Stonecrest to seeking to move to the Metro Atlanta area, as we build a gateway to the world through
the city’s innovative and integrated economic as well as locals looking to relocate. The first Savannah.” The Stonecrest rail has direct
development strategy that is comprised of stage of the development is the introduction access to the ports of Savannah creating even

48. FDI ALLIANCE INTERNATIONAL