The benefits

of regional cooperation are varied, say group members, but the most

obvious is that of an ability to pool resources, ideas and leads.

"Individually,

this venture would be cost prohibitive to the average county's economic

development organization," said Rieck, adding that financial limitations

are just one factor in planning such a huge undertaking.

"The

most valuable benefits of working together aren't tangible ones, but

they're the collaborative efforts of meeting logistical challenges and

creativity for marketing materials and so many other items that are

possible through an exchange from different perspectives."

Powell agrees

enthusiastically, concluding, "We have to offer, in the Atlanta

region, anything an international firm could possibly want or need,

and in which county they locate doesn't matter as long as it's in our

region."

The Joint

Development Authority of Metropolitan Atlanta and Metro South expect

to come home in mid-November with a list of qualified leads, which they

will share. For information on the groups' collaborative efforts, visit

the web site. COMDEX information is available at https://www.comdex.com .