As one of the nation’s top destinations for business investment, Georgia continues to set the pace for the future. The state’s exceptional pro-business climate is a direct result of its innovative partnership approach, global outreach and long-term strategic investments in assets to drive commerce.
For more than a decade, Georgia has sustained its momentum as the number one state to do business. Between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, facility expansions and new locations resulted in plans for more than $20.3 billion in investments in Georgia. Eighty-three percent of these locations or expansions are headed to communities outside of metro Atlanta as companies recognize the statewide availability of Georgia’s assets.
Propelling these extraordinary outcomes is Georgia’s unique ability to offer businesses a combination of development-ready sites, a highly skilled and diverse workforce and cutting-edge logistics infrastructure that connects the state to global markets. Additionally, corporations that choose Georgia benefit from favorable business incentives.
Corporate Relocations and Headquarters
Georgia’s compelling mix of an affordable cost of living, a high quality of life and a steady stream of diverse, well-educated talent makes it an attractive location for both manufacturing facilities and corporate headquarters. With a competitive corporate tax rate at 5.39 percent, the state provides businesses with a strong foundation for growth. New and expanding businesses also enjoy tax incentives, such as job tax credits, for creating jobs in Georgia.
Georgia’s vibrant economy continues to draw leading companies across a variety of sectors. In FY24, the state welcomed significant expansions in manufacturing, including major investments from industry giants like Kia and Toyota Industries Corporation. Likewise, the food processing and agribusiness sectors grew as international companies like Yakult and CJ Foodville as well as retail giant Walmart chose Georgia to support their East Coast operations.
Cargill Corporation recently established a new office hub in Atlanta, further strengthening the state’s leadership position in the technology and corporate sectors. Georgia has long been home to 18 Fortune 500 company headquarters such as Aflac, Delta Air Lines, The Home Depot and, more recently, Norfolk Southern, which all flourish within the state.
Beyond the corporate world, Georgia is quickly becoming a prominent destination for sports, home to Atlanta United and selected as a 2026 FIFA World Cup host. Thanks to its strategic connectivity, Georgia offers easy access for sports teams and fans from around the globe. In fact, recognizing the state’s top-tier infrastructure and quality of life, the U.S. Soccer Federation selected Fayette County for its new headquarters and a first-of-its-kind national training center, which are currently under construction.
Speed-to-Market Solutions Accelerate Development
Georgia recognizes that economic development requires not only efficiency but also a dedication to excellence. Programs like the “Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development” (GRAD) program, managed by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, expedite planning and development. This portfolio includes only pre-qualified industrial sites where due diligence has already been completed, significantly reducing the time required for development. The state’s new Rural Site Development Initiative is supporting the development of and enhancements to GRAD-certified sites.
Proven Workforce Development Initiatives
Georgia’s workforce of 5.3 million people offers a skilled talent pool, bolstered by substantial investments in education and training. Georgia Quick Start, the nation’s top workforce training program, has helped businesses in industries ranging from clean energy to advanced manufacturing custom-train more than one million employees. Notable companies such as Kia, Gulfstream and Takeda have benefited from the state’s tailored training initiatives, ensuring their employees are production-ready from day one.
Georgia’s K-12 education system is actively involved with preparing students for future careers and education opportunities in the state after high school. Specialized training programs like the Cyber Academy, FinTech Academy and Georgia Film Academy are just a few of the ways Georgia ensures that post-secondary students are prepared for jobs in the growing sectors driving Georgia’s economy.
Georgia is home to top-tier institutions of higher education, including the Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Georgia and prestigious historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) such as Spelman College and Morehouse College. With 26 University System of Georgia and 22 Technical College System of Georgia institutions located across more than 100 campuses across the state, companies are able to partner with educational institutions to develop curriculum and collaborate on research in nearly any industry.
The state invests heavily in education programs designed to meet the needs of in-demand industries. Georgia’s HOPE Scholarship, the first merit-based scholarship program in the U.S., provides college tuition assistance to recent high school graduates as well as adults seeking higher education later in their careers. Georgia MATCH is now one of the nation’s largest state-run direct admissions programs for college-bound students, reducing barriers to a degree. For “high-demand” occupations, the Technical College System of Georgia’s High-Demand Career Initiative offers greater access to training through the state-funded HOPE Career Grant. Additional investments in apprenticeships are educating students in career fields such as healthcare, manufacturing and construction.
Logistics Excellence
With robust investments in ocean, rail, truck and air transportation, Georgia is providing a competitive edge that is enhanced by its unparalleled logistics connectivity to both national and international markets.
The state’s transportation network includes Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest and most efficient airport, and the Port of Savannah, the largest and fastest-growing container terminal in the U.S. Additionally, the Port of Brunswick has become the top port in the U.S. for autos and heavy equipment. Georgia’s inland ports provide convenient access to the Port of Savannah and Brunswick, while the state’s 5,000 miles of rail constitute the Southeast’s largest intermodal hub, facilitating efficient cargo movement across the region. Georgia’s cold storage advantages also support key sectors such as agriculture and food processing, enabling the safe and efficient transportation of products.
Investments in Georgia’s infrastructure are ensuring the state remains a global logistics hub for the decades to come. The Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) remains committed to meeting increased demand in light of Georgia’s growing presence in the global supply chain. With $4 billion in investments planned for Ocean Terminal and Savannah Container Terminal, GPA anticipates that the Port of Savannah will be a 12.5 million-TEU capacity port by 2035. GPA is pairing growing capacity with speed-to-rail solutions that reduce inventory costs for port customers, providing more customers with more options.
With strong support from Georgia’s General Assembly, Governor Brian P. Kemp signed into law a $1.5 billion investment in 2024 that’s already going to transportation infrastructure projects statewide, with an additional half a billion dollars planned for funding. This funding significantly boosts support for local transportation projects, increases investments in general aviation airports, accelerates the completion of ongoing key projects and launches new strategic initiatives for continued growth.
A Global Gateway for Business Expansion
International companies expanding in the U.S. continue to partner with Georgia. As a premier destination for foreign direct investment, Georgia announced $5.9 billion in investments in FY24, along with more than 8,100 new jobs. With a robust global presence in more than 12 global markets, Georgia’s diverse economic landscape and strategic location is further bolstered by critical infrastructure. These factors, combined with a low corporate tax rate and business-friendly environment, make Georgia an ideal choice for international business expansion.
The state’s international trade value has reached $186.3 billion, ranking Georgia sixth in the U.S. in 2024, and its strategic partnerships have been key to creating valuable opportunities. Over the past decade, companies from more than 40 countries have chosen Georgia for their U.S. operations. Kia, Hyundai Motor Group, Irving Tissue and Boehringer Ingelheim are just a few of the companies leveraging Georgia’s strategic advantages to thrive in U.S. markets, while the state’s rich history in aerospace, agribusiness and technology continues to propel its economic success.
A Steady Partner
Georgia remains a national leader in attracting business investment because it has invested in steady partnerships and maintained a stable business climate for decades. Its superior infrastructure, strong workforce development programs, high quality of life and reliable, low-cost energy with carbon-neutral options such as Plant Vogtle, complement its commitment to fostering innovation. For more than a decade, Georgia has listened to its industries – existing and future – to guide decades more of sustainable growth. T&ID
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