ANDERSON, SC-Inland Retail Real Estate Trust, a buyer of shopping centers in Georgia and Florida, made its first foray in the Carolinas, buying the 223,211-sf Anderson Central Shopping Center. Inland Retail paid nearly $15.7 million.

ATLANTA-Atlanta's industrial market is starting to improve based on anecdotal evidence from Grubb & Ellis. That's good news for a market that's seen vacancy rates increase 3.2% percent this year and new construction drop 4.5 million sf in one quarter.

ATLANTA-The Atlanta Development Authority signed off on agreements designed to give a lift to downtown developers. Next, Atlanta hopes to issue some $15 million in bonds to help develop condominiums, two grocery stores and a CBD business park.

KENNESAW, GA-Construction is underway on a $23-million apartment complex in Kennesaw, in north Cobb County. The 26-acre project will be near Town Center Mall. It will include 310 apartments in 15 buildings.

ATLANTA-The Atlanta office of Advantis Real Estate Services Co. named Jerome "Jerry" S. Baum senior director. A one-time owner of Buckhead's Tower Place property, he will be responsible for sales and financing of commercial investments.

CHARLOTTE, NC-Eden & Avant named a new director of big box leasing to work out of its Charlotte area office in Dilworth. The hire, Cindy Smith, is a 12-year retail real estate professional.

CHARLOTTE, NC-Carolyn T. Williams is Edens & Avant's new leasing representative in its Charlotte office. Williams has worked as a tenant representative for Winn-Dixie in parts of North Carolina and Virginia.

MYRTLE BEACH, SC-A 69-acre tract on the former Myrtle Beach Air Force Base is for sale for $11 million. The Myrtle Beach Air Force Base redevelopment authority hopes to see a mixed-use development rise at the center of South Carolina's Grand Strand.