Georgia Tech study: SunTrust Park, Battery rake in $19M annually for Cobb County

In terms of economic growth, Cobb County has been no slouch lately.

Since the Atlanta Braves’s new stadium, SunTrust Park, opened in March 2017, the area’s seen a boom of development activity in surrounding areas. The result? The southeastern part of a county that’s historically been at odds with Atlanta proper is looking more and more like an urban center.

Now, thanks to a study conducted by Georgia Tech’s Center for Economic Development Research, the financial impact of the ballpark and its adjacent mixed-use development, The Battery, has been quantified.

And with just under $19 million in annual net fiscal impact, the baseball-centric, live-work-play megaplex appears to be doing big things for Cobb County.

According to the Cobb County Chamber of Commerce’s assessment of Georgia Tech’s research, about $4 million of that goes to the county government, and nearly $15 million will go to Cobb schools each year for the next two decades.

Courtesy of Braves Development Company

But the economic impact doesn’t stop there. In addition to the still-evolving Battery project, myriad other projects have cropped up around the Cumberland area.

The Braves Development Company in August unveiled plans for an Aloft hotel, which is slated to rise at The Battery.

And a mile from the ballpark, the Platinum Tower office complex has been signing new tenants left and right—a testament, officials say, to the economic surge the Cumberland district is experiencing.

The Battery’s also had substantial leasing success lately, and joining the development soon will be elevator giant Tyssenkrupp, which aims to plant its new headquarters—and a massive elevator-testing tower—just a few blocks from the stadium.

Gensler, via thyssenkrupp

• Fiscal Impact: SunTrust Park & The Battery Atlanta [Cobb Chamber of Commerce]