Gov. Nathan Deal will be in Alpharetta on Aug. 20 to help Mayor David Belle Isle launch the new Alpharetta Technology Commission. 

The group is the first organization of its kind in Georgia and is charged with identifying and pursuing key investment opportunities and policy decisions for Alpharetta’s technology companies and its burgeoning technology industry.

“We have recognized that Alpharetta’s greatest economic strength is the 900-plus technology companies located right here within our borders,” Belle Isle said in a statement.  “We have more technology jobs per capita than any other city in the Southeast.  It’s truly a matter for hometown pride.  And, for the first time, we’re going to proactively work to capitalize on it.”  

The Alpharetta Technology Commission will be focused on six core areas:

• Help lead and advise Alpharetta on the promotion of the city’s brand: “Technology City of the South”
• Help implement and attract workforce education opportunities for Alpharetta’s technology companies
• Help create an environment to facilitate and support technology company startups in Alpharetta
• Identify and explore key technology infrastructure solutions within Alpharetta
• Identify opportunities for research and development collaborations
• Advise on thecCity’s economic development policies to retain and attract technology companies to Alpharetta

In creating the commission, Belle Isle sought to tap into the best of Alpharetta’s technology community and for the group to reflect a mix of large, established companies and smaller, emerging businesses.  What emerged from his efforts was an organization comprised of senior executives from 10 legacy companies; Amdocs, Hewlett Packard, Infor, McKesson, Microsoft, Red Prairie, Siemens, ThyssenKrupp, Verint, and Verizon.  These will be joined by key emerging companies Edge Solutions, Jackson Healthcare, Lancope, Pyramid Consulting, and Priority Payment Systems.   Four strategic partner organizations will also serve as ATC members.  These are Georgia Tech’s Advanced Technology Development Center, Georgia Power, the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce, and the Technology Association of Georgia.   Gwinnett Tech has also been identified as a possible member and has been offered a seat at the table if the school’s proposed North Fulton Campus is located in Alpharetta.  

“No other community in Georgia has attempted to assemble anything like the Alpharetta Technology Commission,” Belle Isle said.  “As the Technology City of the South, it only makes sense that we be the ones to make this kind of bold move.”