Ryan Blythe

BY RYAN BLYTHE

I will mark my fourth year contributing to Around Acworth — and, now, Around Kennesaw — in 2022. I have been fortunate enough to use this space to cover a range of topics, including small business, the economy, labor markets, industries and postsecondary education. One of the best received columns was a playbook for aspiring entrepreneurs, as relevant today as it was then, and it is something I plan to readdress soon.

I also have received great feedback on student successes, particularly women in welding. I think changing gender perceptions is a hot issue, and, considering only 5% of welders are female, there’s a lot of work to do to achieve some form of equity. I look forward to sharing more stories in the new year, and I will have a full report from WESTEC, the West Coast’s largest manufacturing conference, in January. After a two-year absence, I can’t wait to network and hear from industry experts, who provide insight on everything from the stock market to the supply chain.

So, as we round the corner and celebrate the new year, what does it look like? It will be the first full year with James Albright as the Acworth city manager, and Brandon Douglas recently rejoined the city to serve as deputy manager. The team has highlighted three projects. First, the completion of Highway 92 will relieve congestion and create new development opportunities. Next, the Heritage at Acworth, a mixed-use development, will connect residents with restaurants and retailers. I am most excited about the development’s 29 luxury townhomes from the John Wieland

Georgia Trade School certified welding inspector Scot McKneely teaching hands-on.

collection, a product that downtown Acworth does not have currently. Finally, Alex Almodóvar of Acworth Economic Development has worked diligently on a sevenfigure investment with Unlimited Lawn Care that’s projected to create 50 jobs.

In Kennesaw, the cooperation between the community and the state’s third largest university continues to grow. Kennesaw State University recently created a new position to implement goals for research and economic development. Additionally, Kennesaw has new leadership, with Luke Howe serving as economic development director. Howe’s background in Doraville is impressive. At his previous post, he oversaw the redevelopment of the 165-acre General Motors plant. That site now includes a movie studio, and the surrounding area is bustling with $500,000 townhouses, a far cry from the area’s industrial past.

Look for Kennesaw to continue its momentum, as the Historic District becomes a walkable city center with breweries, restaurants, retail and, of course, housing. These businesses only work if they have foot traffic. My perception is that folks are embracing the opportunity to ditch their automobiles and walk to mixed-use projects. The trend, which we began seeing in urban areas 20 years ago, now has made its way to the suburbs. For years, I have heard people lament a desire to enjoy Buckhead- and Midtownlevel food and atmosphere in their own backyard. That is happening now, and it is exciting.

Next year also marks the 10th anniversary of Georgia Trade School, which is expanding again. The school will be adding new staff members and will have the capacity to teach nearly 100 students per day, contributing to workforce development, which is an important issue in Cobb County and across the country.

Ryan Blythe is the founder of Georgia Trade School, which for the sixth consecutive year, was named one of the Cobb Chamber Top 25 Small Businesses of the Year.