By Georgia Department of Economic Development
Georgia: $24 billion in investments in fiscal year 2023. More than $27 billion in e-mobility and battery investments between 2018-2023. Record-breaking exports, surpassing $49.7 billion, for the third year in a row.
What lies at the heart of this remarkable success? A confluence of factors – ranging from workforce readiness to infrastructure prowess and innovative strategies – has cemented Georgia’s status as an economic powerhouse.
Nurturing Talent for Tomorrow
At the core of Georgia’s economic prosperity lies its robust and diverse workforce. Boasting a workforce of 5.3 million, Georgia has invested significantly in training programs, apprenticeships, and education initiatives to cultivate a talent pool tailored to meet evolving industry needs.
Georgia Quick Start, recognized as the nation’s top workforce training program, has trained over a million employees, equipping them with the skills required by expanding businesses. Lisa Nash, head of HR for Qcells in Dalton, told the Savannah Morning News, “I would never, never be able to train the volume of people. It would have delayed our ramp up significantly.”
Brandon Chadwick, a Quick Start training coordinator getting future employees of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) ready for Day One and beyond, elaborates, “Imagine they came from, say McDonald’s or some retail industry. They can come here and we will get them up to speed so that they can be automotive manufacturing professionals.”
Leading universities and colleges, including Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia, ensure a steady stream of qualified professionals ready to contribute to Georgia’s growth trajectory. With the help of the GEORGIA MATCH Direct College Admissions Initiative, rising high school seniors receive a personalized letter listing the public technical institutions, colleges, and universities they are eligible to attend. All they must do is accept. This creates a pipeline of qualified Georgians for companies while also strengthening access to opportunities for young adults.
Bridges to Success
Georgia’s unparalleled logistics and infrastructure network serve as the backbone of its economic prowess. With strategic investments in air, sea, rail, and road transportation, the state facilitates the seamless movement of goods and people across the globe. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the busiest and most efficient airport worldwide, and the Port of Savannah, America’s largest container terminal, position Georgia as a premier destination for businesses seeking efficient transportation solutions.
One unique solution to moving heavy product from inland sites to the ports is the Georgia Ports Authority’s inland port system. Combined with Georgia’s more than 5,000 miles of rail, the inland port system allows efficient transportation.
“GPA, the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Department of Transportation are working to foster responsible growth that delivers good jobs for our neighbors while preserving quality of life,” said Georgia Ports Authority President and CEO Griff Lynch.
At the groundbreaking for Anovion Technologies’ synthetic graphite manufacturing facility in Southwest Georgia, Anovion Executive Chairman Chip Dunn attributed access to waterway and land transport as one reason the company decided to locate in rural Georgia.
Pioneering Speed-to-Market
Recognizing the imperative of speedy development, Georgia has implemented innovative site certification programs to streamline the process of establishing new facilities. The Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD) Certification Program, a testament to the state’s commitment to speed-to-market solutions, offers pre-qualified industrial sites with completed due diligence. This initiative has proven instrumental in attracting major projects, such as about half of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) suppliers, and catalyzing investments in advanced manufacturing.
“Companies, especially in e-mobility, are prioritizing speed-to-market solutions,” said Commissioner Pat Wilson of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Investing in site development and ‘Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development’ certification are ways communities can prepare for new opportunities.”
The Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority realized they had an opportunity at a local 331-acre site at the intersection of two major highways. After becoming GRAD Select certified, one mass grading project, obtaining permits for water access, and working with the Georgia Department of Transportation to conduct traffic studies, the site welcomed its first tenant: HMGMA supplier Hwashin. In less than six months after announcing the selected location, the company broke ground at the site, joined by Governor Brian Kemp and local leadership.
Fostering Collaboration
Innovation lies at the heart of Georgia’s economic evolution. The state’s burgeoning ecosystem supports growth in emerging industries, such as mobility, cleantech, and aerospace. Collaborative efforts between public and private partners, facilitated by state government investments such as the Georgia Center of Innovation, drive innovation and propel Georgia to the forefront of technological advancement.
But partnerships in Georgia go deeper than research and extend internationally. CJ Foodville USA President Tony Hunsoo Ahn explained it best to Global Atlanta, “Why did we pick the state for our first U.S. plant? Georgia has a well-established track record for attracting international investors and job-creators and has had particular success in helping South Korean companies locate and put down roots in Georgia.”
“The state has cultivated a business-friendly environment, reduced regulatory constraints and shown a constant willingness to engage with business leaders,” Mr. An continued. “It’s not just the government; it’s the people who have welcomed us here on a personal level.”
Georgia builds long-term relationships with its business community, and the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s existing industries and regional project team serve as go-to resources for business operating in their region.
Stuart Countess, President & CEO of Kia Georgia said, “The partnerships we have developed statewide with the Governor’s Office, the Department of Economic Development, and Georgia Quick Start have been tremendous, as have the local partnerships with the City of West Point and Troup County. I can’t say enough about the support Kia Georgia continues to receive from our state and local community.”
The success of Kia Georgia ultimately helped Georgia land the largest project in state history: the Hyundai Metaplant. All of the factors that helped Kia Georgia thrive – workforce, connectivity, and partnerships – led Hyundai Motor Group to select Georgia for this generational project.
Hyundai has left no stone unturned as it pursues a rapid operational timeline. Expected to come online a little over two years after announcing the project, the company is already leveraging Georgia Quick Start at temporary training facilities and Quick Start’s Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. Construction is also underway on the Hyundai Mobility Training Center of Georgia, the first training center in Georgia dedicated exclusively to the EV market.
Legacy of Success Fueling the Future
As Georgia charts its course for the future, its commitment to excellence remains unwavering. With superior logistics, a skilled workforce, and a culture of collaboration that drives solutions, the state continues to attract investments from diverse industries seeking to thrive in a dynamic and supportive environment.
