Develop Fulton wins IEDC gold for RYSE Creative Village

Develop Fulton earned a 2026 Gold Award from the International Economic Development Council for its support of RYSE Creative Village in Atlanta. The project turns a long-vacant former elementary school into a creative and business hub tied to Fulton County’s broader economic development strategy.

Why it matters: - The award puts a national spotlight on a Fulton County redevelopment effort aimed at linking the creative economy with neighborhood revitalization. - The recognition underscores how early public funding can help unlock additional investment and convert vacant property into an economic asset. - Develop Fulton’s work on RYSE Creative Village reflects a broader strategy to create and retain jobs, strengthen neighborhoods and expand opportunity across Fulton County.

What happened: - Develop Fulton won a 2026 Gold Award for Excellence in Economic Development from the International Economic Development Council. - The award recognized Develop Fulton’s support for RYSE Creative Village in the Neighborhood Development category. - IEDC will formally recognize Develop Fulton at its 2026 Annual Conference, Oct. 25-28 in New Orleans.

The details: - RYSE Creative Village is a tech-enabled content production studio and development incubator for creative professionals in Georgia’s film, entertainment, gaming and digital media sectors. - The project grew out of the former APS Arkwright Elementary School, a long-vacant property returned to productive use. - Develop Fulton provided early grant funding to support the project’s vision. - That funding helped catalyze additional support from the City of Atlanta and other partners. - The redevelopment is designed to serve creatives, entrepreneurs and the surrounding community. - Develop Fulton said it has helped support the creation or retention of more than 117,000 jobs and more than $13.22 billion in investment across Fulton County since 2017.

Between the lines: - The award signals that economic development groups are being judged not only on job counts, but also on whether projects strengthen place, identity and long-term community capacity. - RYSE Creative Village shows how a vacant public asset can become a platform for private investment, community use and creative-industry growth. - IEDC President and CEO Nathan Ohle said the project highlights Develop Fulton’s commitment to community and the impact of economic development. - Develop Fulton Chairman Kwanza Hall said the award validates an approach to economic development focused on lasting opportunity. - Jay Jackson, leader of the RYSE initiative, said the project was built on the belief that communities where creative talent lives should share in that growth.

What's next: - Develop Fulton will be honored at the IEDC conference in late October. - The 2026 awards carry added weight as IEDC marks its 100th anniversary and highlights programs shaping the next century of economic development. - The RYSE project is positioned to keep expanding Fulton County’s creative economy and neighborhood investment story.

The bottom line: - Develop Fulton’s gold award recognizes a redevelopment model that ties creative-industry growth to community reuse, job creation and broader economic opportunity.