Buckhead Coalition President Sam Massell wants the world to know about his vibrant corner of Atlanta, a place flush with wealth and development.
He’s extended his hand to the international community, adopting the island of Bermuda as a “sister community.” The coalition in September also hosted a trade delegation from India.
Bermuda officials thanked the coalition after a visit in August.
“The partnership of the Atlanta community of Buckhead and the island of Bermuda is one of immense possibilities for mutual social and economic benefit,” wrote Bermuda’s Minister of Business Development and Tourism Patrice K. Minors. “It is one that we intend to pursue so we will, indeed, be in touch with your team in the near future to discuss next steps.”
Massell said he’s just getting started.
“Our mission in Buckhead is to nurture the quality of life and orderly growth,” Massell said. “In my judgment, that includes a sound economy. So addressing commerce and industry, along with the various initiatives we undertake for neighborhood improvements and so forth, I find is an added value to the services we can offer the community.”
Massell isn’t quite ready to say what other countries might receive an invitation to visit Buckhead. And he said there aren’t yet tangible results from his recent conversations with Bermuda and India, though he thinks the discussions have an inherent value.
“It’s too early really because these things don’t develop overnight, but there has been definite interest and appreciation at both levels,” Massell said.
As to whether the coalition’s goals conflict with those of the larger city of Atlanta, Massell said in some ways he is competing with the rest of the city.
“We are part of Atlanta and we support the whole picture, the long-range relationship of all of its neighborhoods and communities, and we have served on committees with the chamber of commerce and we work with the Midtown Alliance on mutual interests,” Massell said. “We work together but I won’t shy from being competitive. If I have an option or an opportunity, I’m going to market Buckhead first. What helps Buckhead helps Atlanta.”
Lolita Jackson, president of the Buckhead Business Association, said it helps the business community, too.
“This didn’t just start,” Jackson said. “It’s something we’ve always been interested in. … Things like this, relationships outside of Buckhead, these are things that just help build a community.”
District 7 Atlanta City Councilman Howard Shook said there have been conversations about creating an entire “International District” within Buckhead that would tie in with the coalition’s and business community’s outreach.
“One hole in Buckhead’s otherwise glittering portfolio is a perceived lack of cultural amenities and I think attracting a foreign interest helps us with the cultural aspects,” Shook said.
