Traffic Problems Have Relocating Businesses Wary Of Atlanta

"Atlanta's traffic problem has put it 'at the point of no return,' said Dennis J. Donovan."

"'Up until seven or eight years ago when we had Atlanta on a recommended short list' for places to relocate or expand a business, 'we rarely heard grumbling,' he said."

"That has changed. Now, he said, when Atlanta shows up on a short list, 'Every one of our companies, every one of them, says, 'Boy, isn't there a lot of traffic down there?''"

"While he had not yet seen his own clients refuse to consider Atlanta, he said he believes that some companies are quietly rejecting Atlanta because of traffic. He cited MeadWestvaco, which relocated its headquarters —and hundreds of new jobs— to Richmond, Va., instead of Atlanta because of traffic."