City of Stockbridge Economic Development Strategic Plan

KB Advisory Group leads the 2024 Economic Development Strategic Plan for the City of Stockbridge

KB Advisory Group (KB) Scope 

The City of Stockbridge engaged a planning consulting team led by KB Advisory Group to create the city’s Economic Development Strategic Plan. The plan is an action-focused planning document, bringing to life the strategic priorities outlined in the 2022-2026 City of Stockbridge Strategic Plan to ultimately stimulate the local economy and improve the city’s quality of life.  

KB analysts engaged with residents, community and business leaders, and other key stakeholders to identify the economic development goals of the city and conduct a baseline demographic report, a target industries analysis, and ultimately an action plan to realize the city’s goals. 

Existing Conditions  

The City of Stockbridge is located in Henry County, Georgia. The city has continued to attract new residents, growing by over 10% in the past decade. Stockbridge is a driver in the community, hosting approximately 22% of total jobs in the county. Over 50% of the county’s jobs in healthcare and over 30% of the county’s jobs in logistics are located in Stockbridge. 

Outreach efforts conducted by the consulting team revealed key insights about the economic outlook of the city. Stockbridge residents identified traffic and lack of retail and restaurant options as top challenges facing local businesses. These respondents wanted to see more restaurants, information technology, entertainment, professional services, and medical employers in the area. Local business leaders expressed lack of resources for business support and a low demand or client base as challenges they faced, and voiced interest in networking opportunities, branding and market assistance, business seminars, and business loans. 

The Findings 

Using input from the public, stakeholders and findings from the target industries analysis, KB analysts combined traditional and place-based economic development approaches to identify five economic development goals for the City of Stockbridge: 

1. Revitalize and Activate Downtown Stockbridge
2. Support and Expand the Medical Hub
3. Retain and Support Small or Local Businesses 
4. Develop a Workforce Training Program 
5. Improve Connectivity and Quality of Life 

After identifying current and future trends and then determining economic development goals, KB analysts outlined a strategy prioritization for downtown that would further guide the sustainable implementation of the goals. This framework was used to define a specific implementation strategy outlining objectives, identifying responsible parties, and setting a timeline for each objective. 

To read the full Economic Development Strategic Plan for the City of Stockbridge, click here.