Earlier this month, the International Economic Development Council celebrated Economic Development Week. The celebration raises awareness about what organizations like Invest Atlanta are doing to facilitate living wage jobs, support access to capital programs for small businesses, provide affordable housing options and increase the quality of life-place for our residents.

And there was no better way to start the week than receiving the Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development. Site Selection Magazine honored the country’s top agencies based on their work delivering prosperity to their respective communities, and this year, they named Invest Atlanta among the nation’s best. Specifically, they cited our innovative new programs like the Creative Industries Loan Fund, which coincidentally closed its first loan only a few weeks ago; as well as our work attracting Fortune 500 companies!

For me, this Award demonstrates that we are on the right path as we enact the One Atlanta vision put forward by Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. The work we’re doing goes well beyond business attraction and retention—from our support for affordable housing (with a few more big wins this month) to the downpayment assistance we provide homebuyers to our small business loan programs—we’re always focused on improving the lives of all our residents.

For example, our Heritage Owner-Occupied Rehab program is helping our legacy residents stay in their homes. We’re making a tangible difference for residents like Robert Fisher, who’s lived in East Atlanta for 45 years and was able to make necessary health and safety upgrades necessary for him to stay in his home.

“I think it’s a beneficial program for people that plan to stay in their homes,” his daughter told us recently. “It’s worthwhile, especially if you’ve got many things you want to have repaired and you’re on a fixed income, you can’t afford to get it done yourself. So it’s beneficial, very beneficial.”

Testimonials like this, more than award we could ever receive, remind me how important the work we do truly is. It is a privilege and honor for me to serve the Atlanta community.