Microsoft will either provide 15000 jobs or give back 90 acres to Atlanta

Microsoft had plans for Atlanta’s Grove Park neighborhood. However, the company didn’t advance with its project. So, the officials of Atlanta are a bit worried and urge Microsoft to either provide 15,000 jobs as they promised or to give back the 90 acres. However, even if nothing happened on the premises, Microsoft refuses to put the land up for sale.

Why did Microsoft pull out of Atlanta?

Microsoft has not pulled out of Atlanta yet. However, they might do it to reduce costs. After all, recently, Microsoft laid off 10,000 employees. Furthermore, the news that Microsoft was going to build a new complex on the 90-acre increased propriety values.

Thus, according to Anissa Ferrell, the chair of Atlanta Neighborhood Planning Unit of J, many residents lost their homes. Also, there aren’t enough affordable properties in the community either. The worst part is that the community had problems even before Microsoft’s announcement. 

Andre Dickens, Atlanta’s Mayor, is going to address Microsoft next week to get more answers on the matter. On top of that, a spokesperson told Fox 5 that the company is trying to reengage in planning efforts. However, Microsoft is going to give the community a quarter of the 90 acres.

Unfortunately, Microsoft is not the only tech company affecting communities across America. Several others are, especially since the pandemic changed work habits. After all, some of us work hybrid or remote. Moreover, according to brokerage Cushman & Wakefield Plc, Atlanta has the highest office vacancy rates in the country.

In a nutshell, Microsoft will most likely have to give some public statements about the future of the 90-acre project. After all, the people need to know what’s going to happen to their community. Furthermore, Atlanta could partner with another company to achieve better results. After all, according to the Tax Policy Center, 19% of the city’s tax revenue relies on the commercial propriety market.

You might also want to know that Microsoft is not the only company to layoff their employees, EA and Sony are doing it too.

What are your thoughts? Should Microsoft release a public statement? Let us know in the comments.