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Johns Creek economic development director presents five-year strategic plan focused on town center, business retention and life-sciences
Summary
The city’s economic development director presented a five-goal, five-year strategic update emphasizing town-center vision, business retention (Business 1st), life-sciences recruitment and converting vacant office space; council asked for clearer implementation tools and noted a roughly 21–22% office vacancy rate.
Director Launce presented the Johns Creek 2025 Strategic Economic Development Plan at the March 24 work session, saying the plan "provides a road map for economic development initiatives over the next 5 years" and builds on prior efforts. The plan sets five goals including continued focus on the town-center vision, strengthening the city as a hub for health, wellness and innovation, supporting existing businesses through the Business 1st program, assisting entrepreneurs, and building "quality places" across the city.
Director Launce said staff developed the plan after business outreach and a small-business survey and that many of the businesses singled out needs such as marketing and visibility rather than permitting or regulatory processes. "Those were the main challenges," Director Launce said, and staff plans to partner with Mercer University and local chambers to create programs for marketing, technical assistance and retention.
Councilmembers pressed for more detail on implementation. One councilmember said the document clearly states the 'why' but not the 'how' and asked for a practical toolbox and potential partnerships; another urged exploring incubation and retooling vacant office space to attract life-sciences firms. Director Launce said some strategies include partnering with regional incubators and visiting innovation centers to understand models that could be adapted locally.
On vacancy rates, Director Launce said the office vacancy rate is about 21–22% while retail vacancy is lower, near 6–7%. Councilmembers suggested leveraging the city’s BioReady gold certification and the area's educated workforce to retain and attract talent and companies; others asked staff to return with more concrete tools, third-party partnerships and resources to convert underused commercial properties.
Next steps: Council signaled that the plan can move to the consent agenda of the next council meeting for formal action, with staff to return with any requested clarifications or implementation steps.
Why it matters: The plan sets the city’s economic priorities and will shape recruitment, retention and redevelopment decisions that affect commercial real estate, jobs and local revenues over the next five years.
