MILTON BUSINESS ALLIANCE hosts “State of the City” By Joellyn Sargent The Milton Business Alliance hosted its first annual “State of the City” address at Milton City Hall on Jan. 15. Mayor Joe Lockwood provided an update on items of importance to residents and the business community. Mayor Lockwood addressed construction projects like the roundabout at Birmingham Highway and Providence Road (a state DOT project), the Milton Library (a Fulton County Project) and the newly constructed Crabapple Pavilion. While the mention of Milton brings to mind images of idyllic horse pastures and elegant homes, the city is also home to a growing business community. “We want to have some nice, thriving commercial areas with local businesses,” Lockwood explained. The city doesn’t plan to pursue major corporate development, preferring to strike a balance between its residential quality of life and the businesses community. “We’re not going to compete for the big projects, we just want to be a nice place to stay,” said Lockwood. The Milton Business Alliance (MBA) anchors Milton’s business community. The organization’s members are local business leaders who either own or operate a business in the City of Milton or live here. Their companies are diverse, ranging from local restaurants, banks, consultants, attorneys and CPAs to PR firms, travel and tourism services and payroll providers. 14
Although the city doesn’t boast large office towers, some seemingly small and even home-based businesses located here serve a much broader client base. Member companies work throughout the region and across the globe. Whatever their industry, the MBA’s 100-plus members work together to promote and maintain a positive environment in which both new and existing Milton businesses can thrive. Members gather monthly to learn about business trends, local government issues and civic initiatives while supporting the community through civic programs like scholarships, charitable donations and the Adopt-A-Road program. Recent speakers at include experts on topics like sales, finance and marketing. The organization also helps members feel the pulse of local government, featuring programs with Milton City Manager Chris Lagerbloom, Georgia State Senator Brandon Beech, State Representative Jan Jones and US Congressional Representative Tom Price. “The scope of our programming is impressive,” said MBA Chairman Andy Jordan. He continued, “with an annual membership fee of just $50 compared to other local groups that cost $150 or more to join, I think we’re the best value around for local business leaders.” For more information about the MBA, visit www.MiltonBusinessAlliance.com. cityofmiltonga.us