Metro Atlanta is one of the top markets for service men and women to find jobs after they leave the military, according to Hire Heroes USA, a nonprofit supporting U.S. veterans and their families.
The organization ranked Atlanta as the sixth-best veteran job market based on its 2024 data.
“We’re really starting to call Atlanta Veteran City, USA,” said Ken Keen, a retired Army lieutenant general who runs the Goizueta Masters in Business program for veterans at Emory University.
“I think veterans can come to Atlanta and not feel lost, and find a way to sort of get integrated into the business, corporate world, or if they’re just trying to start their own business, to find ways to get in.”
He says that one of the contributing factors to the city’s high ranking is the Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
“Health care is certainly a consideration for veterans who are getting out or retiring in terms of having access to health care,” added Keen. “It is very easy here in Atlanta to do that.”
Another benefit to the state is the Facebook group Georgia Military Women, which now has over 5000 members.
“It’s not a business, it’s not a nonprofit, it’s a sisterhood of friendship. And we also have meet-up groups across the state of Georgia,” said Navy veteran Amy Stevens, founder of the group.
She says that the group members do activities together, like hiking or going to the theater, which helps to make it easier for vets to adjust to a “regular” life. She also says that, on top of Atlanta’s dynamic business economy, the community of people willing to help one another is also very large.
“Between all the different organizations that are available to help business people and entrepreneurs in the city of Atlanta, this is an amazing opportunity. We are booming in Atlanta,” Stevens said.
