Congratulations to seven Cobb County based companies that made the Inc. 500 list. The list annually ranks the fastest-growing companies in America. Four of the seven companies are in the real estate industry.

The highest ranking Cobb company was Marietta-based real estate company Valuation Management Group (VMG), which ranked 22nd on the list According to the Marietta Daily Journal, VMG saw a three-year growth of 7,910 percent; brought in $25.4 million in revenue in 2010; and employs 50 people.

Marietta’s Property Masters, a property improvement company, landed the 129th spot on the list. The company saw a three-year growth of 2,114 percent; had $18.7 million in revenue in 2010; and employs 39 people.

Next on the list was real estate company PalmerHouse Properties, which has a Marietta office, came in at number 172 and saw 1,726 percent growth over the past three years; had $2.3 million in revenues in 2010; and employs 535 people.

Four other Cobb companies landed in the 400’s on the list: Maximum One Realty Greater Atlanta at number 408; Flip Flop Shops at number 425; Axis Teknologies at number 428; and LogFire at number 449.

To qualify for the list, companies must be privately held and headquartered in the U.S., have experienced growth over the past three years and had a minimum 2010 revenue of $2 million.

Cobb County continues to grow as one of metro Atlanta’s most desirable areas, with a dynamic business community, powerful economy and strong resident support, making it a great play to live, work and play.

Seventeen Atlanta area companies made the magazine’s top 500. Inc. Magazine offers entrepreneurs and business owners useful information, advice, insights, resources and inspiration for running and growing their businesses.