Rochelle Dennis, Forest Park’s economic development director, told the ward meeting the city welcomed 62 new businesses in 2025 and will continue recruitment into 2026. Dennis outlined several near-term projects: the Prestwick mixed-use development (about 60 units) and the Grapevine redevelopment at 833 Forest Parkway, where the Urban Redevelopment Agency will release an RFP to complete interior renovations and attract new tenants, including restaurant concepts.

Dennis said the city sold about 150 acres at Fort Gillum in April 2025 for just under $14,000,000, calling it the largest land transaction in Clayton County history. Half of that acreage will host a major data center investment by Digital Realty, which Dennis said is planning about $3,000,000,000 in investment, roughly 3,000 construction jobs over three years and about 100 end-user jobs at full capacity, with starting salaries cited near $100,000. City staff are negotiating a community benefits agreement to secure local commitments alongside the project.

Dennis also noted the MARTA operations and maintenance facility on Old Dixie has completed demolition and begun grading; an RFP for jobs and subcontractor opportunities is expected in January. City officials said they will share information when the RFP is released to allow Forest Park businesses to bid for work.