Episode 093: What Do You Know About Infrastructure-led Economic Development? | Clyde Higgs, Atlanta BeltLine Inc.

• February 4, 2021

“Being explicit and intentional about telling people who you are, it helps to add comfort for people who aren’t built like you.” —Clyde Higgs

Economic development is evolving into an industry with subspecialties. Clyde Higgs talks about how his initial goal to be a hospital CEO and his current role in economic development are really not so different; the emergence of all the subspecialties has allowed him to take a more surgical approach with executing the Atlanta BeltLine vision.

Clyde is at the helm of Atlanta BeltLine Inc, which oversees one of the most comprehensive and massive revitalization efforts of our time. He talks about the power of this project and how he is inspired to grow and develop his leadership muscles every day so he can put his people first and keep driving this tremendous effort forward.

Early on in the pandemic, it was unknown how exactly the virus spread. People were flocking to the BeltLine at that time, and Clyde talks about being faced with public scrutiny for keeping these trails open during that controversial period, and how deferring to the experts rather than jump into defense mode was critical to pulling through.

Tune in now to hear all this and much more from Clyde!

Bio:

Clyde Higgs was named President and CEO of Atlanta BeltLine Inc. in February 2019 after serving in an interim capacity for a year and a half and as Chief Operating Officer for three years. In addition to overseeing the company, Higgs works to expand ABI’s strong working relationships with private and public partners across the region, state and nation.

Higgs brings 20 years’ experience in economic development, real estate, intellectual property, technology, strategic planning, design, real estate development, grant and donor funding, and government relations, with a diversity of projects including those that specialize in urban innovation, science and technology. He is a graduate of the University of South Alabama and holds a Master of Public Administration from East Carolina University.

America’s Jobs Team is sponsored by Research on Investment / Gazelle.ai

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