The Sandy Springs Innovation and Technology Center will open its doors in early 2017 to provide state-of-the-art resources and meeting space for technology professionals and innovators. The center is being designed and built through a public-private partnership between the Sandy Springs Chamber, Sandy Springs Development Authority and Cousins Properties. The Center will occupy 3,700 square feet of space in Northpark Town Center at Abernathy and Peachtree Dunwoody Roads and is scheduled to open in January-February 2017.
“The leadership of Sandy Springs has been interested in expanding and promoting our city’s innovation and technology resources for some time,” said Lever Stewart, CEO of MLQ Attorney Services and 2016 Chairman of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber (SSPC). “Innovation and entrepreneurship are ideal growth industries for our city and we believe Sandy Springs is ideally situated for innovation and technology companies and their professional staffs. We are strategically located between downtown and North Fulton, and our new center is across the street from the MARTA station. This makes the center a convenient meeting place to gather and network for investors in innovation technology-oriented companies considering Sandy Springs as a new home, as well as for Millennials who live in downtown or Midtown and are seeking professional technology opportunities with easy public transportation to and from work.”
“The Innovation and Technology Center will be a strong component of our marketing program to attract technology companies to Sandy Springs,” said Tom Mahaffey, SSPC president. “Business people who are researching our city as a potential location will now have a technology hub where they can meet and learn about everything the city, county and state have to offer from fiber optic cable to a well-educated workforce. We can also provide space for technology education seminars and programs. We appreciate Cousins Properties working with us and offering us this beautiful office space at a below market rate.”
The Center will operate as a 501(c)3 and will be managed by the Sandy Springs Chamber. Mahaffey says it is not designed to generate revenue through long-term office space sub-letting, rather, it will serve as a gathering place for collaboration, research and social events. The Center will host educational seminars and programs, and provide an out-of-the-office location for local employees to work, as well as innovators seeking to create start-up companies.
“The Innovation and Technology Center will visibly demonstrate Sandy Springs’ commitment to the technology industry,” said Stewart. “We want these companies, both established and start-ups, to think of Sandy Springs as the ideal location for their businesses.”
About the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber
The Chamber was formed in 2008 to serve businesses in the City of Sandy Springs and the north Perimeter area. With leadership from an elected Board of Directors, and working in partnership with city government, the Chamber’s mission is to maximize the business success of its members, strengthen the competitiveness of the Sandy Springs business community and enhance economic prosperity of the area. Ongoing initiatives include workforce and economic development, business education, community service and networking opportunities for members. Tom Mahaffey is president of the Sandy Springs Perimeter Chamber. www.SSPChamber.org
