State-supported projects are expected to create 25,300 jobs, with manufacturing driving most new employment
ATLANTA — Georgia closed Fiscal Year 2026 with a new economic development record, attracting approximately $35.2 billion in project investment through 436 business expansions and new company locations across the state.
The projects, supported by the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Global Commerce team between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, are expected to create an estimated 25,300 new private-sector jobs in the coming years.
“Georgia is celebrating a second consecutive year of record-breaking investment as we continue to deliver on the promise to bring good-paying jobs to hardworking Georgians in every zip code,” said Gov. Brian Kemp.
Existing Georgia Companies Drive Majority of Growth
Business expansions accounted for 79% of all projects during the fiscal year, generating approximately 15,370 new jobsand $24.7 billion in investment.
The state also reported that support for companies already operating in Georgia helped retain more than 90,000 existing jobs.
State leaders pointed to those expansion numbers as evidence that Georgia’s long-term economic development strategy is not only attracting new investment but also helping established companies grow.
Rural Communities Capture Majority of Projects
Georgia’s economic development activity continued to extend well beyond metro Atlanta.
Approximately 75% of expansions and new locations occurred outside the 10-county metro Atlanta region, reinforcing the state’s focus on bringing new investment to rural and smaller communities.
Metro Atlanta also remained a major center of activity, with more than $5.3 billion in new investment expected from FY2026 projects.
The statewide distribution of projects reflects Georgia’s broader effort to combine metropolitan growth with expanded access to jobs and capital investment in rural areas.
Foreign Direct Investment More Than Doubles
International investment also accelerated significantly during FY2026.
Projects involving international companies are expected to create more than 9,350 new jobs and generate more than $7.8 billion in foreign direct investment.
Korea, Italy, Belgium, Canada and France ranked among the leading international sources of new job creation.
Georgia officials credited the state’s long-standing global recruitment network and international relationships for helping attract additional investment.
“With the average investment per project continuing to rise, each new location and expansion represents a bigger commitment to Georgia and to the communities these companies call home,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson.
Manufacturing Accounts for 67% of New Jobs
Manufacturing remained the largest driver of Georgia’s job creation.
The sector accounted for approximately 67% of all new jobs announced during FY2026.
Automotive, life sciences and food processing manufacturing alone represented 27% of total job creation.
Georgia also reported record levels of new jobs and investment in medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturingcompared with the previous 10 years.
The results underscore the continued diversification of Georgia’s manufacturing base, which now spans automotive, aerospace, life sciences, food production, advanced materials and other high-value industries.
Headquarters and Technology Projects Add Momentum
Corporate and innovation-focused projects also contributed to statewide growth.
Headquarters, software, technology and business-support projects are expected to create more than 3,790 jobs over the next several years.
Companies announced plans to invest more than $225 million in corporate headquarters relocations and expansions during FY2026.
“Georgia’s diverse industry base is one of our greatest competitive advantages, making us stronger today and better positioned for the future,” said Misti Martin, deputy commissioner of Global Commerce.
Georgia Expands Site Readiness Investments
Georgia is also increasing investment in industrial site development through its Rural Site Development Initiative.
Since the program launched in FY2025, approximately $28 million in state funding has been awarded to site development projects.
Georgia currently offers more than 70 certified shovel-ready sites, along with hundreds of additional industrial development opportunities across the state.
Those investments are designed to give communities more competitive options when companies seek development-ready land with infrastructure already in place.
Five-Year Investment Total Reaches $125.6 Billion
From FY2022 through FY2022026, Georgia’s Global Commerce division supported projects representing approximately $125.6 billion in investment and 164,900 new jobs.
Over the same five-year period, the state recorded approximately $38.1 billion in foreign direct investment.
Georgia also continues to rank among the nation’s leading states for business climate and economic development competitiveness, supported by its manufacturing base, transportation network, workforce programs and growing inventory of development-ready sites.
