CEO Guide to Site Selection

Georgia

GROWING EXPORTS

Georgia continues to break records for exports. The state currently ranks seventh in the nation for dollar value of trade, facilitating more than $186 billion in total trade to 222 countries. An estimated 87% of those exports come
from small businesses, with top exports including civilian aircraft products, motor vehicles, poultry and chemical wood pulp products. Top destinations for Georgia exports include Canada, Mexico, China and Germany. Ritz Instrument Transformers, Cargill and Solarcycle announced investments in the state in 2024. Hyundai began manufacturing electric vehicles in Savannah in
October 2024. The company has invested more than $12 billion in its Georgia facilities in recent years, creating more than 12,000 jobs.

“For years, we've worked closely with local and state partners all across Georgia to bring historic job creation to our communities, especially in rural areas…. These figures are just the latest confirmation that our approach is bringing sustained opportunity for the people of our state, even in the face of economic headwinds on the national level. We're committed to continuing that momentum, investing in key areas like education, workforce development and infrastructure.”
Brian P. Kemp
Governor

TAXES

0 %

top corporate income tax

# 0

on the Tax Foundation’s State Tax Competitiveness Index

EDUCATION

0 %

of adults 25 years of age and older graduated high school

0 %

of adults age 25 and older have a bachelor’s degree or higher

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

0 %

RIGHT TO WORK STATE

Yes

QUALITY OF LIFE

# 0

POPULATION GROWTH

0 %

increase between 2020 and 2023

KEY INCENTIVES

Job Tax Credit: Offers a tax credit of between $1,250 and $4,000 per year for five years for every new jobs created.

Port Tax Credit Bonus: Offers a tax credit for companies that increase imports or exports through a Georgia port by 10% for base port traffic amount that equals at leastTEU units.

Quality Jobs Tax Credit: Offers a credit of $2,500 to $5,000 per new job annually for companies that create 50 jobs that pay at least 10% above the average wage of the county.

R&D Tax Credit: Offers a tax credit for research and development activities, including lab work, prototyping products or processes, or conducting tests on new manufacturing equipment.

EDCs

Georgia Department of Economic Development
georgia.org

Invest Atlanta
investatlanta.com

Greater Columbus Georgia Chamber of Commerce
choosecolumbusga.com

Savannah Economic Development Authority
seda.org

HIGHLIGHTED PROGRAM OR INITIATIVE

The Rural Georgia Initiatives program aims to support various rural communities in the state by helping them create winning strategies for economic development. This includes resources for job seekers, plans to develop downtown areas and financial resources for things like roads, parks and critical infrastructure.

BIG DEALS

  • Solarcycle announced in February 2024 it will build a $344 million solar glass manufacturing facility and create more than 600 jobs at a facility in Cedartown.
  • Doowon Climate Control America announced in February 2024 a $30 million manufacturing facility and more than 200 new jobs in Metter.
  • First Quality Baby Products announced in May 2024 a $418 million expansion and 600 new jobs in Atlanta.
  • GF Casting Solutions AG announced in May 2024 that it will invest $184 million in a manufacturing facility and 350 new jobs in Augusta.
  • Cargill announced in June 2024 that it would establish an office hub and create 400 jobs in Atlanta.
  • Ritz Instrument Transformers announced in July 2024 a $28 million investment and 130 new jobs in Burke County.

BIG COMPANIES

Eighteen Fortune 500 companies headquartered in state, including:

  • Aflac
  • Asbury Automotive Group
  • Coca-Cola
  • Delta Airlines
  • Genuine Parts
  • Home Depot
  • PulteGroup
  • United Parcel Service
  • Southern
  • WestRock
Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.