Companies Across the Globe Continue to Keep Georgia on Their Mind

What makes Georgia stand out as an ideal location for business activity? What is often cited is the partnership approach to economic development – from state, local, international, educational institutions and beyond — taken within the economic development department of the state. The teamwork throughout the department and its collaboration between departments enables the state to continue to meet the unique needs of companies that locate in Georgia.

Using this integrated approach, the goal to create jobs and investment opportunities across the state is attainable, and is proven over and over again. Add to that unmatched business resources and it’s clear for companies to see that it’s easy to succeed as a business in Georgia.

The robust, business-friendly environment Georgia provides plays a huge factor in bringing new businesses to the state. For instance, Georgia offers low corporate taxes and an array of business incentives that attract top-tier companies. Georgia was the first Southeastern state to pass single-factor corporate tax apportionment. This means that in-state sales are the only relevant factor in determining the portion of taxable income to which the 5.75 percent corporate tax rate is applied.

Georgia’s best-in-class business development support leverages industry experts and project managers whose sole responsibility is to help businesses expand. These professionals connect companies large and small to government and business leaders at home and abroad; represent the state’s industries at conventions and meetings worldwide; and provide a wealth of data and analysis to inform decision-making.

When companies locate in Georgia, they often site its robust logistics infrastructure and its gateway to the world. In Georgia, getting a business’ products to its clients and customers is easy.

Georgia’s logistics assets cannot be discussed without noting that it is home to the nation’s fastest-growing and fourth-largest container port (Port of Savannah); nation’s No. 1 port of automotive imports, Port of Brunswick; and the world’s most traveled airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International. In fact, 80 percent of the U.S. market is within a two-hour flight from Georgia; and it is home to more railroad track miles than any other state.

Without question, Georgia’s solid logistics system is supporting key industries in the state, enabling them to better reach their customers and improve their bottom line.

Employees are a company’s biggest asset. They keep the largest or smallest companies moving and growing forward. Companies that locate in Georgia understand the need for a well-trained and highly skilled workforce, and Georgia touts the best workforce in the nation.

Georgia offers top-ranked workforce development for businesses, with programs like internationally acclaimed Quick Start and public-private partnerships among the Technical College System of Georgia, the University System of Georgia and private employers.

Quick Start Georgia’s award-winning workforce training program is a huge asset to help companies train future workforce and keep employees up-to-speed on business technologies, from biotech and health to automotive, food and advanced manufacturing.

Georgia’s educational system is a talent pipeline, preparing graduates with the skills to help companies succeed. Four Georgia institutions are in the top 50 national undergraduate business programs and three institutions are in the top 50 for the nation’s top graduate business schools. With more than 78,000 degrees and certificates awarded by Georgia colleges and universities each year, Georgia is offering companies a more diverse talent pool to fuel industry growth.

This unique and proactive environment gives businesses a competitive advantage when it comes to learning about workforce challenges and the needs they will have over the next five to 10 years.

In Georgia, the philosophy is that you should love where you live, play and work, which is why it offers a superb quality of life at an affordable cost.

The state’s diverse population, the blend of city and country atmosphere and the widely varying topography all contribute to a unique lifestyle and array of experiences unmatched by other states.

Lifestyle and standard of living are two reasons Georgia continues to attract Fortune 500 companies and the skilled, educated workforce those businesses and others need to succeed.

This versatility is a major reason Georgia appeals to so many people.

Of course, Georgia’s economic development successes would not be possible without its partners around the state and around the world supporting the state in all it does. From the local level to its state legislature to its Consular Corps and international representatives, Georgia makes sure it maintains a pro-business environment and a culture of collaboration.

Strong, forward-thinking community leadership is a key component to Georgia’s pro-business approach. GDEcD, Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Economic Developers Association and dozens of other development agencies statewide assist businesses in connecting to and communicating with communities, educating a diverse workforce and promoting the growth of their industries.

Georgia fosters strong international relationships that yield incredible economic development opportunities, and keeps it competitive in the global marketplace.

Governor Deal announced in March 2018 that Georgia would expand its international footprint by establishing a presence in Peru. Georgia now maintains a presence in 12 international markets around the world including Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Europe, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru and the U.K. and Ireland.

In 2017, the Georgia Department of Economic Development was recognized by Development Counsellors International (DCI) as the No. 1 “best in class” economic development organization in the nation. This award represents the hundreds of thousands of economic development professionals in Georgia.

Georgia’s wins in economic development are not only a result of offering the best business resources, but the best people as well. Its citizens, educational institutes and corporate climate all play a part in creating a welcoming state for business. It is proud that companies across the globe continue to keep Georgia on their mind. In the just the first three and a half months of this year, the following companies announced corporate development plans in Georgia and were featured on Trade & Industry Development’s website in the Development News section:
• Perdue Farms to Invest $42M, Expand, Create 125 Houston County, Georgia, Jobs
• Mason Mega Rail Breaks Ground at Port of Savannah, Georgia, to Double Capacity
• Facebook to Invest $750M, Hire 100 for Stanton Springs, Georgia, Data Center
• Edible International to Open Second HQ, This One in Atlanta, Georgia, Hire 200
• Georgia Pacific to Invest $135M, Add 35-40 Jobs for New Georgia Lumber Plant
• Swiss-based Corvaglia Group to Invest $25M in Coweta County, Georgia
• OFS to Invest $138.9M, Expand in Gwinnett & Carroll Counties, Georgia, Hire 200
• VanRiet Material Handling to Create 70+ Jobs in Fulton, Georgia
• Groupe PSA to Locate N. American HQ in Fulton County, Georgia
• ELK Group to Open New Distribution Center in Rabun Gap, Georgia, Hire 100
• Daesol Material Georgia Builds $35M Harris County, Georgia, Facility, Hires 110.

Georgia is committed to furthering its established relations with these companies and all companies around the globe. Georgia is excited about what the future holds. T&ID