ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 10, 2004

Atlanta ranks #1 among large metro areas to do business for entrepreneurs. The rankings, based on an objective review of federal job growth data in 277 cities, also calculated sustained job growth balanced among diverse industries. According to the Inc. Magazine survey, "Atlanta has recovered from the doldrums of the 2000 recession" to rank #1 among large metro areas.

Hartsfield-Jackson is the busiest passenger airport in the world by accommodating more than 79 million passengers in 2003.

More than 200 million people, 80% of U.S. consumers, are within two hours' flight time from the Atlanta Airport.

The city of Atlanta has a population of 425,200. Peachtree Street may be its most famous street - it certainly is the most popular name for a street. In fact, there are over 50 streets in Atlanta with "Peachtree" in their names.
Atlanta has multiple images, and an international reputation. Home of Coca-Cola, CNN, Delta Airlines, Home Depot, UPS, Bellsouth, SunTrust Banks; site of the 1996 Summer Olympics; setting of Civil War classic Gone With The Wind and home to real-life Civil Rights pioneer Martin Luther King, Jr. Whether you think of the annual World Series contender Atlanta Braves, or world peace activist and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Atlanta is a city that is vibrant and alive.

Equally impressive are the beautiful tree-lined neighborhoods tucked just minutes away from business districts. Housing in Atlanta is distinctive and full of character, whether you choose a funky downtown loft, a luxurious high-rise condominium, a refurbished bungalow or a Southern mansion flanked with azaleas and dogwoods.

Continuing north you will discover Buckhead, a mecca of elegant Southern homes, exclusive shopping and thriving commercial development. Known as Atlanta's silk stocking district, Buckhead is home to the Georgia Governor's Mansion and the Atlanta History Center. Drive down Blackland and Tuxedo Roads and you will be amazed at the beautiful mansions and landscaped yards. During the spring it is especially breathtaking.

During the day, Buckhead is a major commercial center, with three-fourths as much space as downtown Atlanta. It is also home to approximately 1,400 retail outlets, over 4,600 hotel rooms and the largest shopping center in the Southeast. The population of Buckhead is 61,000, with a daytime number reaching 135,000.

And at night, Buckhead becomes one of Atlanta's hottest entertainment hubs, with restaurants, bars and night clubs that are consistently packed. Within two and a half blocks of Peachtree at Paces Ferry (in the Buckhead Village area) there are over 100 restaurants and night spots.
Atlanta's in-town communities can be found clustered throughout the city. Noteworthy are Ansley Park, located in Midtown and former home of the late Lewis Grizzard; Inman Park, just a mile from downtown and featuring Victorian homes; and Virginia Highland, located at the intersection of Virginia and North Highland avenues and featuring quaint bungalows. Luxury apartments and condominiums (both high-rise and mid-rise) can be found in Midtown and Buckhead.

Just south of Clayton County is Fayette County, the only place in Atlanta where you can take a golf cart to the grocery store. The largest city in the county, Peachtree City, has constructed 80 miles of golf cart paths that link stores, libraries, neighborhoods, and of course, championship golf courses together. Peachtree City was once a planned neighborhood that later incorporated, and it is an interesting alternative to driving.
Fayetteville, the county seat, is a more traditional town that offers plenty of retail and dining choices. Housing options range from resales in the heart of town to brand new luxury homes priced from the mid $200,000s. Many choose neighborhoods with built-in recreation sites such as swim and tennis clubs.
The county is proud of its public schools, which combines low teacher/student ratios and innovative educational programs such as elementary foreign language instruction. Health care needs are handled by Fayette Community Hospital, a 100-bed general hospital with more than 350 physicians at your service.

The county is essentially a bedroom community, feeding off of the high number of airport employees. However, Fayette is also attracting a number of large companies to the area, such as Panasonic, NCR and Atlanta Photocircuits.