The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that AT&T is launching a new AT&T Foundry® facility in Atlanta to accelerate the development of the company’s latest technologies and applications.

“Innovation, investment and new technology are critical to Georgia’s economy and the AT&T Foundry® in Atlanta brings all three together in a powerful package,” said Governor Nathan Deal.  “We are very proud that our state will be home to one of only four AT&T Foundry® centers in the world and that it will enhance the robust and growing communications and technology sectors in Georgia.”

The AT&T Foundry® in Atlanta, which represents an investment of $3 million, will lead the way in developing the next generation of lifestyle applications and services.  Located in the Centergy building adjacent to Georgia Tech, the 10-person team will test and develop products involving AT&T’s recently-launched home security and automation service Digital Life. It will also create new apps and services related to the “connected car,” mobility, emerging devices and AT&T U-verse. Host sponsor Cisco will collaborate with AT&T on projects and help identify key third-party developers, startups, investors, inventors and other entrepreneurs to bring into the facility.

"AT&T has been investing and innovating in Georgia since 1879, and our decision to locate this unique facility in Atlanta is recognition of the hard work of Governor Deal and leaders across Georgia to create a welcoming environment for businesses to invest, innovate and create jobs,” said Sylvia Russell, President of AT&T Georgia.  “AT&T Foundries add velocity to innovation and the Atlanta Foundry® will add significant momentum to the already booming tech economy in Georgia.”

“AT&T is a world leader in innovative communications technology, and AT&T Foundry’s decision to locate in Atlanta will certainly spur attention to Georgia’s tremendous advantages for companies who are staking their growth to advances in technology,” said Chris Cummiskey, commissioner of Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD).

The AT&T Foundry® program was launched in 2010 to identify solutions both inside and outside of AT&T to some of the most pressing needs facing the company and the industry. They are facilities where teams are focused on taking an idea to market as rapidly as possible. Like the existing locations, the Atlanta AT&T Foundry® location will have an open floor plan and work space so developers and engineers and designers can mingle and share ideas.  Outside developers will be brought in to have their ideas assessed and to provide fresh perspective, and they can access AT&T technical capabilities and business experts.

The Atlanta Foundry® is the result of collaboration between AT&T, Cisco, Georgia Tech, and state and local business and political leadership. Amanda Shailendra, senior project manager for GDEcD’s Health Sciences and Advanced Technologies team, partnered with the Metro Atlanta Chamber and InvestAtlanta on the project.

“The AT&T Foundry is a tremendous asset for Atlanta's innovation community.  With a rich history in wireless technology, the metro Atlanta region has emerged as the global leader in mobility,” said Sam A. Williams, President, Metro Atlanta Chamber. “This announcement comes amid a new, strategic effort to foster stronger collaborations between our universities and businesses and is a great example of the kind of results that can be achieved. Tighter bonds between academic and business leaders will propel our industries, and overall economy, forward.”

“Landing a sought-after AT&T Foundry innovation center is the latest in an incredible string of wins for the City of Atlanta on the IT front,” said Brian P. McGowan, President and CEO of Invest Atlanta. “Atlanta will join Palo Alto in the Silicon Valley as one of only a handful of cities worldwide that are home to an AT&T Foundry. While other wins and relocations will create more net new jobs in the city, the Foundry will firmly entrench Atlanta as a top U.S. IT hub.”