New Hartsfield-Jackson terminal spells economic growth for city

May 16th is opening day for the new international terminal at Atlanta’s airport. The terminal is the latest example of Hartsfield-Jackson International’s economic impact.

The Maynard H. Jackson International Terminal is 90% done. You can hear construction workers putting the finishing touches on the $1.4 billion project. The construction workers are some of the more than 3,000 people hired to build, design and plan the terminal.

Now, another round of hiring begins. Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed says the city will start hiring 1,000 of the 1,500 jobs needed to maintain and manage the terminal.

“That’s going to make a real difference in the economy and continue to drive Atlanta and the region for years to come,” said Reed.

The terminal increases the number of international gates at the airport to 40. Officials say that makes Hartsfield-Jackson International one of the largest international airports in the nation.