The city of Brookhaven announced that Aaron Szarowicz will become the city’s new economic director.
Szarowicz formerly served as a senior project manager at Invest Atlanta, where he helped secure more than $223 million in capital investment and nearly 5,000 new jobs in Atlanta between 2023 and 2025, according to the city. Prior to that, he worked for the City of Douglasville for six years overseeing the Downtown Development Authority, managing capital projects totaling more than $34 million, and launching redevelopment initiatives.
“Aaron brings a strong blend of strategy, innovation, and execution,” Brookhaven City Manager Christian Sigman said. “He understands the complexity of urban development, the importance of local relationships, and the role of economic strategy in building a thriving community.”
Szarowicz earned a bachelor’s degree from Hope College and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Western Michigan University.
Michael Lee Johnson held the position from 2022 to 2025.
In other economic development news, at an Aug. 25 meeting, Brookhaven Development Authority (BDA) members approved a bond inducement – the first steps to the development of Corporate Square.
A nearly-empty 32-acre office park, Corporate Square is prime Brookhaven real estate between the Peachtree Creek Greenway and I-85 Frontage Road. Corporate Square is being developed by Third & Urban with plans to convert the massive office park to residential, retail, restaurant, and recreation spaces.
An economic development agreement between the BDA and Peachtree Venture Holdings states that construction is estimated to begin in fall 2026. The BDA engaged a contract with architect Leo A. Daly in the amount of $50,000 to provide concepts for Buford Highway redevelopment related to the project.
An analysis posted by the city estimates the property’s fair market value is $73.3 million.