Press release, 2018 August 2

For immediate release Aug. 2, 2018

Office of Communications (404) 651-7774

Deal: Global commerce generates $5.56 billion in investments
GDEcD's Global Commerce Division helped create 27,373 jobs in FY 18

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced that the Georgia Department of Economic Development's (GDEcD) Global Commerce Division helped create a total of 27,373 new jobs during FY 18, generating $5.56 billion in investments. This growth is the result of a record-breaking 419 expansion or relocation projects throughout the state.

"Industry leaders and companies from around the world continue to choose Georgia thanks to the world-class, business-friendly environment we have built over the last eight years," said Deal. "Georgia's unparalleled resources, including our highly skilled workforce and our physical and digital infrastructure, continue to attract international companies that are planning to expand or relocate. These numbers reflect Georgia's appeal to global job creators and translate to real economic growth in our communities and new job opportunities for families across the state. Nearly 80 percent of these projects brought investments to communities outside of the metro Atlanta area, demonstrating the depth of talent, investment and connectivity available in every corner of the state.

"With the support of the General Assembly and local officials, Georgia has established a worldwide reputation as a reliable and innovative place for businesses of all sizes to plan for future growth. I commend Commissioner Pat Wilson for his leadership, as well as the dedicated GDEcD team that works to keep Georgia on the minds of business executives around the world. As we head further into this century of promise and work to maintain Georgia's position of leadership on the international stage, we are creating opportunities today and for generations to come. While we have cemented our reputation as the No. 1 state in which to do business, we are also making Georgia the best place to live, work and raise a family."

State snapshot for FY 18: 419 projects generated $5.56 billion in investments and created 27,373 jobs. Nearly 80 percent of projects were located outside of metro Atlanta counties, resulting in the creation of 14,447 jobs and $4.6 billion in investments. Businesses already located in Georgia created 13,864 jobs and generated $2.84 billion in investments. Companies new to the state created 13,499 jobs and generated $2.72 billion in investments.

There was job growth of 153 percent in the software and technology sectors, and 83 percent for data centers.
89 international projects (Foreign Direct Investment) created more than 6,800 jobs and generated more than $1.9 billion in investments.
European companies included 49 locations, created 3,831 jobs and generated $837 million in investments. Companies from the United Kingdom, France and Germany led European companies in job creation.
Companies based in Asian countries included 24 locations, created 1,822 jobs and generated $489 million in investments. Korean and Japanese companies provided the largest investments among Asian companies.
GDEcD's Entrepreneur and Small Business team served 586 businesses, 60 percent of which are startup companies.
"FY 18 was an incredible year for GDEcD's Global Commerce Division, and I am proud of their hard work and dedication to Georgia," said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. "Creating this kind of impact in the state is not a one-person job we work closely with our local economic development partners, utility partners, sister state agencies, educational institutions and beyond to provide our new projects and existing industries access to competitive advantages and strategic assets. These results are a win for all of us."
GDEcD's Global Commerce Division is responsible for helping companies from around the world locate or expand in Georgia. The division partners with state agencies and local communities throughout the state to facilitate job growth and investment.
"We enjoyed an impressive FY 18, and I cannot thank my Global Commerce team across the state and around the world enough for their hard work," said Tom Croteau, GDEcD deputy commissioner of Global Commerce. "Georgia is the ideal place for all companies to succeed. We are excited to build on this momentum in FY 19 and eager for the economic development opportunities that are ahead of us."
Jen Talaber Ryan jen.ryan@georgia.gov
John Vaughan john.vaughan@georgia.gov

FY18 GLOBAL COMMERCE PROJECT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Georgia Department of Economic Development

Trenton Chickamauga

Dalton Chatsworth

Blairsville

Clayton

LaFayette

Summerville

Calhoun

Cornelia Cleveland
Baldwin Toccoa Gainesville

Lyerly

Oakwood

Adairsville

Cumming

Rome

Canton

Cartersville

Alpharetta

Flowery Branch

Commerce

Pendergrass

Buford

Jefferson

Cedartown Rockmart Dallas

Marietta

Johns Creek Suwanee

Braselton Athens

Smyrna Roswell

Norcross

Lawrenceville

Buchanan

Hiram Austell

Chamblee Duluth

Sandy Springs

Monroe

Bogart

Tallapoosa

Lithia Springs

Stone Mountain

Douglasville

Atlanta Clarkston

Social Circle

Carrollton Villa Rica Union City College Park

Covington

Stockbridge

Peachtree CityEllenwood

Newnan

McDonough

Senoia Griffin

Madison Eatonton

419 PROJECTS ANNOUNCED

Lavonia Hartwell

$5.6 BILLION IN INVESTMENT 27,363 NEW JOBS

Washington

Evans

Grovetown

Warrenton Thomson

Augusta

LaGrange West Point

Greenville

Thomaston

Milledgeville Macon

Hamilton Columbus Buena Vista

Byron Jeffersonville

Fort Valley

Montezuma

Warner Robins Perry

Americus

Cordele

Eastman

Leesburg

Ashburn

Fitzgerald

Wrens Sandersville

Waynesboro

Millen Sylvania

Dublin

Swainsboro

Soperton

Metter

Statesboro

Springfield

Rincon

Vidalia

Claxton

Lyons Glennville

Hazlehurst Baxley

Pembroke Port Wentworth Pooler
Richmond Hill Savannah Hinesville

Blakely

Bainbridge

Albany

Sylvester

Tifton Enigma

Norman Park Adel
Moultrie

Nashville

Douglas Willacoochee
Homerville

Cairo Thomasville Quitman

Valdosta

Alma

Jesup

Blackshear Waycross

Folkston

Darien Brunswick