Community Benefits

GETTING AROUND COBB COUNTY

Nestled in northwest metro Atlanta, Cobb County is bisected by Interstate 75 and Highway 41/Cobb Parkway. It is bordered on the east by Atlanta's perimeter highway Interstate 285 and the Chattahoochee River, and on the south by Interstate 20. Cumberland Transportation Network and Cobb Rides offer alternative ways to get around. 

CAN-DO BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

A growing, dynamic area known for its "can-do" spirit, Cobb is a diverse community of some 580,000 longtimers and newcomers. The Cumberland-Galleria area in southeast Cobb, known as the "Platinum Triangle," contains slightly more office space than Atlanta's central business district. Major companies with operations here include AT&T, IBM, WORLDSPAN, Coca-Cola and Georgia-Pacific. The area features numerous stores, hotels, restaurants and theaters as well as a sparkling new convention facility, Cobb Galleria Centre.

A few miles north on Cobb Parkway is Lockheed Martin where 10,000 people construct aircraft and equipment. Lockheed has been a mainstay of the county's economy since it began business as the Bell Bomber plant in 1940. Lockheed shares runways with Dobbins Air Reserve Base/NAS Atlanta, home to units of the U. S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps. The 51-year-old base, which also houses the Georgia Air National Guard and the Army National Guard, has a $300-million annual impact. The base's importance to the community is highlighted and reinforced by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce through its Honorary Commanders Association program, which is in its twelfth year of pairing civilian and military leaders for mutual understanding.

Cobb also is home to many smaller manufacturers, but the economy is becoming increasingly service-oriented with growth in the hospitality, insurance and communications industries. The number of people employed in these technology-oriented businesses, combined with southeast Cobb's position at highway intersections, make the area a new "edge city" or suburban megaplex.

RICH HISTORY ADDS TO DIVERSITY

By contrast, Cobb's six cities are havens of historic charm. The county seat of Marietta, Cobb's largest municipality with over 51,000 residents, temporarily housed the infamous General Sherman while he stormed Kennesaw Mountain and burned Atlanta. Smyrna, with 36,000 residents, encompasses the historic Vinings area between Marietta and Atlanta.

North of Marietta, and north of its namesake mountain, is the city of Kennesaw with a population of over 11,000. Acworth, Powder Springs and Austell are smaller cities in the western half of the county.

Nearly four-fifths of Cobb's people live in unincorporated Cobb County. Some thirty-five percent of them are college-educated. And they have plenty of buying power. Cobb's median household income is among the metro area's highest at $50,018

GROWING LEAPS AND BOUNDS

Retailers are setting up shop in Cobb in record numbers, especially in the fast-growing area around Town Center at Cobb mall in north Cobb. Cobb's 170 shopping centers tap into the Cobb market as well as surrounding northwest Georgia.

Cobb's early leadership planned well for growth, building a solid infrastructure for road, water and sewer facilities. The county is in the midst of the largest local transportation improvement program in the history of Georgia, financed by a local-option sales tax and matching state funds. Recent major improvements in the Platinum Triangle area included a new bridge across I-75 and a full-diamond interchange south of I-75/I-285 intersection enhancing safer traffic via more efficient transportation flow.

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Cobb's well-educated populace is supportive of its two public school systems and numerous private schools. The business community collaborates with schools through the Cobb Chamber of Commerce's Partners In Education program. Kennesaw State University and Southern Polytechnic University are part of the state university system. Life University, Brenau and Shorter are colleges with operations in Cobb. Two technical institutes, Chattahoochee Tech and North Metro Tech, offer post-secondary opportunities. Continuing education opportunities abound.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

Working to create a competitive workforce through the collaborative efforts of schools, businesses, local governments and community agencies. A community partnership intended to ensure that students connect their schooling with the demands of a rapidly changing world of work. Providing a forum linking businesses, schools and careers in Cobb County.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Exceptional healthcare providers help maintain wellness and safety in the Cobb community. With four major hospitals and a number of neighborhood health centers, excellent healthcare and affordable options are just around the corner.

ARTS AND CULTURE

Cobb citizens enjoy museums, arts centers, a symphony, libraries and parks. Theatre in the Square in Marietta has produced Broadway-class shows throughout its 11-year history. The Marietta-Cobb Museum of Art, also near the Square, offers lectures and classes on its visual presentations.

REST AND RELAX AT GREAT ATTRACTIONS

Lakes Allatoona and Acworth and the Chattahoochee River have spawned tourism, as have Six Flags Over Georgia and White Water Park. Thousands come each year to play baseball, softball, soccer and tennis in public and private facilities. And golfers flock to the 13 golf courses throughout the county. Cobb has more than 9,000 hotel rooms waiting for groups like the cyclists and fans of the 1996 Tour DuPont who flocked to Cobb when America's premier cycling event concluded in May on the campus of Kennesaw State University.

ENJOY A CHANGE OF SEASONS WITHOUT THE DRAMATICS

Visitors and residents of Cobb County look forward to the change of seasons. With spring comes the lovely blooming of dogwoods. In the fall, the changing colors of leaves and coolness signify winter's approach. Residents often say Cobb is a great place to live because there are no harsh winters or blazing summers.