Georgia is the best place to live, learn and build a business. It's a privilege to support the North Metro region and expand its impact on our state.
Matt Colvin
Email: mcolvin@southernco.com
Matt Colvin is the Metro North Regional Economic Development Manager. In this role, he supports the counties of Forsyth, Dekalb, Fulton, and Gwinnett on strategic plans, community partnerships, and industry recruitment initiatives that drive job creation and capital investment.
Matt collaborates closely with local leaders, development authorities, and Georgia Power partners to strengthen economic preparedness, support business retention and expansion, and champion innovative solutions that position the Metro North Region for long-term growth and success.
A 30-year resident of Georgia, Matt’s economic development experience ranges across almost two decades in areas such as business recruitment, higher education, public policy, workforce development, and government – while serving in roles with the University of Georgia, Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Electric Cities of Georgia, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, and the Georgia General Assembly.
Matt holds a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the University of Georgia and is currently pursuing his Ph.D. at UGA. Outside of work, Matt and his family currently reside in Cobb County.
About the Metro North Region
#1
Johns Creek - Best Place to Live in U.S.
U.S. News 2025
#1
Gwinnett County - Most Diverse County
Niche 2025
Strategic Location & Connectivity
- Strategic Location: Located adjacent to the city of Atlanta, the cities and counties in the Metro North region are the most populous in Georgia.
- Interstate Access: I-85, I-285, and GA-400 provide direct access from the Metro North region to the city of Atlanta.
- Public Transit: In addition to MARTA, residents are served by extensive bus fleets in DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties as well a regional commuter coach service (GRTA Xpress), which operates 34 routes in 12 metro counties and provides more than 267 thousand passenger trips annually.
Thriving Economy & Workforce
- Industry Leaders: In 2014, State Farm announced their plan to establish a regional hub in Dunwoody. They are now the region's largest employer with 7,200 employees.
- Emory University: Located in DeKalb County, Emory University is the #24 ranked National University with top ranked programs in business, nursing, and public health.
- Educated Workforce: Forsyth County has the most educated workforce (100,000+ business professionals), the largest fiber optic pipeline in the Southeast, and one of the lowest taxes in Metro Atlanta.
Innovation & Technology
- Research Centers: Several globally-recognized research centers are headquartered in DeKalb County, including the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and the Emory National Primate Research Center.
- Curiosity Lab: Located in Peachtree Corners, Curiosity Lab is a living laboratory for place-based deployment—where connected mobility, infrastructure, logistics, and other emerging technologies are built, tested, and brought to life in an active city.
- Rowen: Rowen is a 2,000-acre planned community in Gwinnett County, thoughtfully designed to foster collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation 35 miles from Atlanta.
Quality of Life
- Best Places to Live: In 2025, Johns Creek ranked the #1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. by U.S. News, and Forsyth County is ranked the #2 Best County to Live in America by Niche.
- Eat Around the World: Buford Highway, one of the most ethnically diverse regions of the country, is home to more than 1,000 different immigrant-owned businesses.
- Downtowns with Big Personalities: The Metro North region's downtowns, including Decatur, Roswell, Alpharetta, and Lawrenceville, are some of the best in the state that offer local restaurants, community events, boutique shops, and a friendly atmosphere.
