What's Happening in Roswell, GA…

Roswell received some good news recently, when the city's economic development arm, Roswell Inc., made its 2015 business report public.

The report showed the city had issued 649 business licenses, which generated 2,049 new jobs. The city also issued 996 permits for construction; the permits collectively have a $149m value.

According to Roswell Inc.'s executive director, Steve Stroud, the improving economy is the result of Roswell's dedication to attracting business and helping it grow. Among the measures the city has taken is expanding the Opportunity Zone three times. The zone concept gives tax credits to companies that agree to expand or relocate to economically disadvantaged areas. Last year, 1,945 new jobs were created, 547 in the Opportunity Zone.

Some of the markers of the improvement are the fact the city's overall unemployment figure is 3.7%, which is much lower than that of Georgia's, which stands at 5.5%. In addition, office vacancies are down—the figure is 9.2%, representing a significant drop from the 14.9% recorded two years earlier.

Perhaps the best news is that General Motors is planning an expansion of its Technology Innovation Center in a move that could add up to 1,400 jobs.

City officials might consider working with a flyer printing company on a mailer for residents sharing this economic news, and describing what it means for the future.