Atlanta: a job-creating machine?

Think Atlanta is “poised to become a job-creating machine” in the years ahead?

If not, then you can appreciate why Kiplinger would list Atlanta as one of eight cities in the U.S. with “surprising” job growth prospects.

The financial publication says it focused on metros with at least 1 million people, a track record of above-average population, and job growth coming out of the 2008-2009 recession. It considered “demographic trends and industry growth that point to rapid job creation.”

Using U.S. Labor Department projections, Kiplinger projects Atlanta and the other seven areas will exceed the U.S. 7 percent job growth average from now to 2017.

So, what’s to like about Atlanta?

According to Kiplinger …

“It won’t expand as fast as the others on our list, but Atlanta’s size and diversity will make it a good place to relocate and look for work. One key to Atlanta’s bright future is the nexus between transportation and online retailing. UPS and AT&T Mobility, with its 100 million wireless customers, are both based there, and they will be key players in America’s consumer-spending shift from bricks to clicks.”

It continues …

“Home Depot, UPS, Coca-Cola, and Delta Airlines are among Fortune 500 giants based in Atlanta. Delta Airlines and AirTran are likely to shrink their workforces, as is struggling retailer Home Depot. But regional energy giant Southern Co. and Newell Rubbermaid, maker of many things for the kitchen and garage, see expansions.”

Metro Atlanta’s job growth over the next five years is pegged at 8 percent, with 180,000 new jobs being created.

The rest of the surprising eight: Nashville, San Antonio, Orlando, Raleigh, Portland, Oklahoma City and Phoenix.