Clayton County, one of the most diverse and populous counties in Georgia, had a remarkable year in 2023. Despite facing many challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the economic downturn, and the social unrest, the county also witnessed many achievements and milestones in various fields. Here is a look back at some of the highlights of the year 2023 in Clayton County.
Covid-19 Response and Vaccination Drive
The Covid-19 pandemic continued to pose a serious threat to the health and safety of the residents of Clayton County in 2023. The county reported a total of 67,432 cases and 1,234 deaths as of December 31, 2023. However, the county also made significant progress in combating the virus and protecting its citizens. The county launched a massive vaccination drive in collaboration with the state and federal governments, local health departments, and community partners. The county administered over 1.2 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, reaching 85% of the eligible population. The county also provided free testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine support, and financial assistance to those affected by the pandemic.
The county’s Covid-19 response and vaccination drive were widely praised by public health experts and officials as exemplary and effective. The county received several awards and recognitions for its efforts, such as the National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award, the Georgia Public Health Association (GPHA) Excellence Award, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Innovation Award.
Economic Recovery and Development
The Covid-19 pandemic also had a severe impact on the economy of Clayton County, causing widespread unemployment, business closures, and revenue losses. The county’s unemployment rate peaked at 14.7% in April 2023, the highest in the state. However, the county also took several measures to stimulate economic recovery and development in 2023. The county allocated over $100 million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support small businesses, workers, and families affected by the pandemic. The county also launched several initiatives to attract new investments, create jobs, and promote tourism in the county. Some of the notable projects and achievements in 2023 were:
- The opening of the $1.5 billion Aerotropolis Atlanta Logistics Park, a 1,200-acre mixed-use development that will create over 10,000 jobs and generate over $2 billion in economic impact.
- The expansion of the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest airport, which added a new runway, a new terminal, and a new hotel, enhancing the capacity and connectivity of the airport.
- The hosting of the 2023 Super Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, which brought over 1 million visitors and over $500 million in economic impact to the county and the region.
The county’s economic recovery and development efforts were recognized by several national and international organizations and publications, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the World Economic Forum, and Forbes. The county was ranked as one of the best places to live, work, and do business in the country and the world.
Social Justice and Equity
The year 2023 was also a year of social justice and equity for Clayton County, as the county witnessed several historic and groundbreaking events and movements that advanced the rights and opportunities of its diverse and marginalized communities. The county was at the forefront of the national and global conversation on racial justice, police reform, and human rights. Some of the key events and achievements in 2023 were:
- The conviction of the three men who killed Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man who was jogging in a neighborhood in Brunswick, Georgia, in February 2020. The case sparked nationwide outrage and protests, and led to the passage of a new hate crime law in Georgia. The county’s District Attorney, Fani Willis, was one of the prosecutors who secured the guilty verdicts for the defendants.
- The election of the first Black woman mayor of Clayton County, Keisha Lance Bottoms, who defeated the incumbent mayor, David Scott, in a runoff election in December 2023. Bottoms, a former Atlanta city councilwoman and a rising star in the Democratic Party, campaigned on a platform of reform, inclusion, and innovation.
- The launch of the Clayton County Equity and Inclusion Initiative, a comprehensive and collaborative effort to address the systemic and structural barriers and disparities that affect the county’s diverse and underserved populations. The initiative, led by the county’s Chief Equity Officer, Dr. Tanya Wilson, involved the participation of various stakeholders, such as county departments, community organizations, businesses, and residents. The initiative focused on four key areas: education, health, housing, and justice.
The county’s social justice and equity achievements were applauded and celebrated by many local, national, and international leaders and activists, such as President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama, civil rights icon John Lewis, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Malala Yousafzai, and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The county was also featured in several documentaries, books, and podcasts that highlighted its role and impact in the global movement for social change.
The year 2023 was a remarkable year for Clayton County, as the county faced many challenges and achieved many milestones in various fields. The county demonstrated its resilience, innovation, and leadership in the face of adversity, and its diversity, excellence, and vision in the pursuit of opportunity. The county also made history and headlines in the local, national, and global arena, and earned the respect and admiration of many people and organizations. As the county enters the new year 2024, it looks forward to building on its successes and overcoming its challenges, and continuing to serve and represent its citizens and communities.
