Sharing Prosperity

What does the data show?

Cobb County is extremely educated, with at least 65% of residents being high school graduates or higher as of 2022 (Cobb County Government, n.d.). High levels of academic achievement usually lead to greater economic prosperity. Cobb County is also marked as one of the fastest-growing counties in Georgia and has ranked among the top 100 highest-income counties in the US (Data USA, n.d.).

As of 2022, Cobb County has employed 410,000 people with the largest industries being Professional, Scientific, Technical Services, Retail Trade, and Health Care & Social Assistance (Data USA, n.d.). Unemployment rates have also declined, indicating that more people are seeking and obtaining wealth, increasing the prosperity of the community.

The poverty rate in Cobb County as of 2022 was 8.29% which is considered one of the lowest in the entire state of Georgia, indicating that something is going well for the community.

Furthermore, the Cobb County website shows consistent progress with economic development in the community, making it seem as though Cobb County is doing great with sharing prosperity:

Shared Prosperity Challenge: Systemic Inequities in Economic Opportunities

Cobb County cities like Marietta, Vinings, and Smyrna face a pressing urban shared prosperity challenge: addressing structural inequities in economic opportunities. This issue is deeply intertwined with governance, education, and business practices, impacting the community's ability to achieve equitable economic growth. Communities of color, particularly Black and Hispanic residents, face barriers to equal representation and access to resources, as highlighted by recent legal challenges to the Cobb County School Board's district maps (ACLU, 2022). These inequities limit economic mobility and perpetuate cycles of poverty.

While Cobb County has seen economic growth and development, governance structures often fail to address systemic inequities. For instance, the school board map controversy illustrates how governance can exacerbate disparities by diluting the voting power of communities of color. While initiatives like the Cobb Innovation and Technology Academy provide experiential learning opportunities, disparities in educational access and quality persist, affecting economic competence and productivity (Wallenstein, 2024).

In my fieldwork, I noticed that there were some areas (especially in Vinings), where certain characters or individuals with certain cultural demeanors highlighted by the community of their ethnical background are not welcome. It is not verbally said, but it is felt. People of color often have to navigate unspoken stereotypes and biases. We are expected to work twice as hard to reach the same result as a Caucasian individual. Sometimes systemic barriers are beyond any one person, but rather lies in the failed processes and organizations that are meant to protect and oversee individuals of a community. It's kind of like a paradox.

There is a need for more proactive initiatives to eliminate structural inequities. Current efforts focus on economic development and workforce training but often lack a comprehensive approach to addressing systemic barriers faced by diverse populations. Cobb County has a growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, with sectors like fintech and bioscience expanding (Wallenstein, 2024). However, this growth does not always translate to equitable opportunities for all residents.

Cobb County benefits from significant economic investments, including tourism and business expansions (Wallenstein, 2024). However, these investments often focus on high-growth sectors rather than addressing underlying social and economic disparities. There are opportunities to capitalize on undervalued assets, such as underutilized public spaces or community resources, but these efforts require a strategic approach to ensure they benefit marginalized communities. Speaking of investments, while Cobb County promotes innovation in business sectors, there is a need for more inclusive models that address systemic inequities and ensure diverse participation in economic opportunities. This includes adopting business practices that prioritize equity and social responsibility, ensuring that economic growth benefits all members of the community.

Potential Solutions

Ultimately, achieving shared prosperity in Cobb County requires a multifaceted approach that includes ethical governance, equitable education, proactive initiatives to eliminate disparities, and innovative business practices that prioritize inclusivity.

References

American Civil Liberties Union [ACLU]. (2022, June 9). Press Release: Voting Rights Organizations Challenge Cobb County School Board Map Denying Equal Representation to Voters of Color. https://www.acluga.org/en/press-releases/press-release-voting-rights-organizations-challenge-cobb-county-school-board-map

Cobb County Government. (n.d.). Demographics. https://www.cobbcounty.org/economic-development/why-cobb/demographics

Data USA. (n.d.). Cobb County, GA. https://datausa.io/profile/geo/cobb-county-ga

Wallenstein, R. (2024, December 28). Cobb County: Championing Prosperity. Georgia Trend Magazine. https://www.georgiatrend.com/2024/12/28/cobb_championing_prosperity/