Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance Partners with Clayton State University’s College of Business on a Research Project Designed to Attract Industry, Jobs, and Development Near Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

(November 5, 2026) - The partnership provides the Clayton State Student Consulting Group to identify land-use opportunities and resources to attract major business development and construction around the world's busiest airport 

Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance and Clayton State University’s College of Business are partnering to expand experiential learning and career-readiness opportunities through the university’s Student Consulting Group. The Consulting Group will be tasked with a major project called “Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance: Operational Site Selection and Economic Impact Project.”

The partnership is supported by an initial $50,000 investment from Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance and founding member Douglas Hooker, after whom the fund is named. Those interested in supporting this initiative can contribute to the Aerotropolis Douglas Hooker Clayton State University (CSU) College of Business Fund, managed by the Community Foundation of Greater Atlanta. For more information, contact Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance at info@aeroatl.org.

This research project developed by the Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance and Clayton State University’s College of Business partnership will lay the groundwork for substantial economic development around the world's busiest airport that will create jobs and grow additional tourism and further business development in the Atlanta metro area.

Launched by the College of Business in fall 2025, the Student Consulting Group uses an apprenticeship-style model to connect classroom learning with real-world business challenges. The program provides students with an alternative to traditional internships while offering organizations valuable research, consulting services and fresh perspectives. 

Twelve students are participating in the fall 2026 cohort. 

Working directly with industry partners, students gain hands-on experience in research, strategic planning, problem-solving, project management, and executive communication. The experience also provides opportunities to build professional networks and contribute to economic development in the region. 

“This partnership demonstrates the power of higher education and industry working together to advance regional economic growth,” said Dr. Georj L. Lewis, president of Clayton State University. “Our students gain valuable, paid consulting experience that prepares them for successful careers, while Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance benefits from fresh perspectives and research to support its economic development goals. For Clayton State, it strengthens our connections to industry and reinforces our commitment to workforce development and social mobility.” 

The Student Consulting Group supports Clayton State’s commitment to providing transformative educational experiences that advance upward social mobility. By applying business concepts and methodologies to real-world projects, students gain practical experience, develop professional portfolios, and build skills that can help prepare them for successful careers. 

“Our regional public-private partnership created a Memorandum of Understanding with Clayton State University in 2019 to intentionally work together. This collaboration will now allow our planning efforts to come to fruition, which will serve as a bridge for CSU College of Business career pathways and access to local industry pipelines through our paid internship,” said Shannon James Sr., President and CEO of Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance, Inc. (Aero ATL).

Name of Project: Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance: Operational Site Selection and Economic Impact Project

Research Tools the Clayton State Student Consulting Group will leverage:

• Operational site selection model: A multi-worksheet Excel system for entering, evaluating, scoring, and ranking potential development sites.
• Site screening and prioritization framework: A standardized method for evaluating sites of six or more contiguous acres using acreage, ownership, zoning, infrastructure access, constraints, readiness, economic conditions, and strategic fit.
• Economic impact module: A companion tool estimating potential employment, income, fiscal, and broader development effects associated with candidate sites.
• Dashboard and decision outputs: Automated composite scores, rankings, readiness indicators, comparison summaries, and visual outputs for leadership review.
• Research and source architecture: Documentation of data fields, sources, assumptions, Census tract and GEOID information, site evidence, and quality-control references.

About Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance 

Aerotropolis Atlanta Alliance is a public-private partnership working to improve economic prosperity in South Fulton and Clayton County, Georgia. Its mission is to serve as a catalyst for regional economic competitiveness surrounding Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL). The world’s busiest and most efficient airport generates $34.8 billion in economic impact for metro Atlanta and supports more than 63,000 on-site jobs, making it the state’s largest employer. The Alliance’s vision is to create an inclusive, world-class destination for all who live, learn, work, and play in the Aerotropolis region. Its core initiatives include economic, community, and workforce development. 

About Clayton State University 

Founded in 1969, Clayton State University is a student-centered institution committed to expanding access, advancing social mobility and preparing graduates for meaningful, career-connected success. A member of the University System of Georgia, Clayton State offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs that provide clear pathways for students from all backgrounds. 

Located on a 214-acre campus with six lakes in Morrow, Georgia, the university serves as a vital engine for workforce development and community impact. Clayton State was ranked No. 21 among U.S. News & World Report’s 2026-2027 Top Performers on Social Mobility and was recognized by Newsweek as a 2026 Best College for Women. The university competes in NCAA Division II athletics and is home to Spivey Hall, a premier performance venue in the Atlanta metropolitan area.