I honestly don't know what the job market is in Atlanta.
That said, the US government and contractors thereof desperately need programmers and programmers who can do other stuff (e.g., manage a contract, project management, etc.). I would try to meet some people who do this type of work and have a coffee with them. Many of these folks live in the D.C. area.
It's not sexy at all, and you won't get rich via a startup, but there are very solid middle class jobs in that category.
That said, the US government and contractors thereof desperately need programmers and programmers who can do other stuff (e.g., manage a contract, project management, etc.). I would try to meet some people who do this type of work and have a coffee with them. Many of these folks live in the D.C. area.
It's not sexy at all, and you won't get rich via a startup, but there are very solid middle class jobs in that category.