Valarie Wilson, executive director of the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership, believes that the BeltLine is essential to Atlanta's economic recovery - preventing health issues, increasing productivity, and offering affordable transportation and entertainment to Atlanta residents.

A health impact assessment, conducted by the Center for Quality Growth and Regional Development (CQGRD), supports her assertions. CQGRD found that the BeltLine's parks, trails, and transit would help people be more physically active, preventing many chronic diseases. It would also make it easier for them to get to work or to the grocery store. And it would provide attractive spaces for neighbors to gather and children to play.