Atlanta Regional Commission

The meeting involved several actions taken by the NextGen Committee. These actions included the unanimous approval of several NextGen Program policies: Additional Assistance Policy (NGPP 01-05), High Poverty Area Policy (NGPP 02-04), Supportive Services Policy (NGPP 03-05), Inventive Policy (NGPP 04-03), Work Experience Policy (NGPP 05-03), and WIOA Youth Eligibility Policy (NGPP 06-02). Discussion also covered NextGen Program funding and performance, noting $1,400,000 designated for the program. A significant update detailed the receipt of a $200,000 grant from Google for the Pathways to Digital Economy Initiative, scheduled to commence in January 2026. The committee also planned the meeting schedule for Calendar Year 2026.

The meeting commenced with an introduction of Asher Dozier, who will be fulfilling Shana Jones's role on the Council for the remainder of the year. Key discussions included an overview of Council objectives for 2026 and upcoming ARC projects, an update on the status of the Energyshed project provided by a guest speaker from Georgia Tech, and a presentation by the City of Atlanta Chief Sustainability Officer regarding the City's Climate Resilience Action Plan. No actions were taken on these items.

The committee reviewed updates on Program Year 2025 (PY25) program funding and analyzed first and second quarter performance outcomes. A key discussion involved an overview of the $200,000 Pathways to Digital Economy Initiative grant, funded by Google, designed to expand digital career pathways for youth. Additionally, a new strategic plan for upcoming Taskforce activities was introduced, along with a proposal for a Lunch and Learn concept to enhance employer engagement efforts.

The roundtable session focused on active transportation data analysis and modeling, serving as a companion to a previous session on safety data and tools. Key discussion points included an overview of ARC's organizational goals related to safe, healthy communities and a competitive economy, supported by collaborative, data-informed planning. The presentation detailed ARC's approach, which considers both network supply (using a detailed bike trail inventory) and travel demand behavior (using activity-based model output). The presenter demonstrated a newly created data hub dashboard which integrates infrastructure inventory with modeled and observed demand. Specific data sets covered included existing and programmed trail/facility inventories, and pedestrian/biker origin-destination maps generated from the activity-based model. The model itself was described as a microscopic demand model operating on Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs), simulating individual travel decisions including mode choice.

This document outlines ARC's vision to create "One Great Region" for metro Atlanta, focusing on innovative, world-class, sustainable, and resilient communities. The mission is to foster thriving communities through collaborative, data-informed planning and investments. Key strategic goals include fostering healthy and livable communities, making strategic investments in people, infrastructure, and mobility, delivering regional services efficiently, engaging diverse stakeholders for regional problem-solving, and ensuring a competitive, inclusive, innovative, and resilient economy.