By David Pendered

Cobb County Chairman Tim Lee is using the second anniversary of the Atlanta Braves announcement of their move to Cobb County to talk up the economic benefits Cobb will receive and is already receiving.

Lee sent an email Thursday titled, “Throwback Thursday: 2 Years Ago.” Lee sent the note from his campaign website, leeforcobb.com.

Here is the verbatim text of Lee’s message:

Friends,

Two years ago this week, the Atlanta Braves announced that Cobb County would be their new home beginning in 2017.

It’s an exciting week for Cobb as we celebrate one of the largest homeruns in our county’s history.

The months leading up to the Braves announcement were high pressured and stressful at times. But throughout the process, I worked to offer the serious leadership that secured the Braves move and ensured that Cobb County taxpayers would ultimately benefit from the project.

Today, the Atlanta Braves are living up to their commitment to build a world-class ballpark on time and on budget. Not only that, but the Braves’ mixed use development, The Battery Atlanta, is under construction and will result in $450 million in private investment and 2,000 jobs.

Thanks to serious, conservative leadership, Cobb County will realize a 60 percent annual return on investment from the SunTrust Park partnership. In fact, it will be the first private public partnership of its kind to result in a return on investment to taxpayers in the very first year.

On this historic two-year anniversary, here are some positive impacts we are already seeing as results of the Braves move to Cobb:

Reduced millage rate and tax cut for Cobb County residents

Over $300 million in private investment surrounding SunTrust Park

Four Class A Office Towers that will house hundreds of jobs are under construction – the first new office towers in over a decade

SunTrust Park is on time and on budget.

Eight new residential developments in our community

$1 billion in transportation improvements

The bonds for SunTrust Park closed at $1.6 million less than originally budgeted

A world-class mixed used development is underway that will provide living, shopping, dining and entertainment options 365 days a year

A projected 60 percent return on investment for Cobb taxpayers

Much has happened in two years and I look forward to great things to come. I hope you are as proud as I am to call Cobb the home of the Braves. With your continued support, we will ensure that Cobb County remains the best place to live, work and play ball!

Sincerely,

Tim Lee

Chairman

Cobb County