About Edward Smith

Edward S. Smith is the chief Opportunity Zones officer at Invest Atlanta, a government authority dedicated to the economic development of Atlanta.

Comprised of professionals from the Atlanta Economic Renaissance Corporation, the Urban Residential Finance Authority and the Downtown Development Authority of Atlanta, Invest Atlanta serves as a bridge between government authorities and private companies. This organization builds a network of civic organizations, educational institutes and corporations and fosters the establishment of public-private partnerships through its various programs and initiatives.

At Invest Atlanta, Smith leads the effort to connect qualified investors with local development projects and businesses located in Atlanta’s Opportunity Zones. Currently, Smith also serves as an adjunct professor at Georgia State University, where he teaches two courses on policy studies.

Prior to joining Invest Atlanta, he served as the president of Boost Analytics LLC, a consultancy providing project management, research and business plan writing services to clients seeking to attract investors and raise capital. He also worked as a director of economic development at the Collaborative Firm LLC, where he focused on the city of Fairburn, Georgia and helped to implement the city’s economic development plans. In addition, he has worked for Wright Johnson LLC, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation (BNYDC) and Coro, and held various posts related to public affairs, city development and policy analysis. Notably, while working at BNYDC, he helped attract millions of EB-5 capital that resulted in the creation of thousands of local jobs.

Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in Africana studies from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in urban policy and analysis from The New School, and a Ph.D. in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware.