Back in October, Governor Nathan Deal announced that jobs and investment generated by the Global Commerce division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development jumped by almost a third during the 2012 fiscal year. The department reported that the 403 company expansions or locations with which it assisted created 28,776 jobs, an increase of 29 percent from last fiscal year, and $5.97 billion in investment, a 32 percent increase. These statistics reflect a trend of continued growth since the state's 2009 fiscal year.
"These figures are more than numbers--they represent the growth of hope and opportunity for our citizens," said Deal. "This tangible evidence of proactive company growth is a sign that not only is our economy on the path to recovery, but also that Georgias top-notch business climate has helped us stand out against our competition."
The 403 projects worked on by GDEcDs Global Commerce Division during fiscal year 2012, which ended June 30, 2012, also represented an 11 percent increase from the previous year. Of those projects, 36 percent were new locations, highlighted by companies such as Baxter, Caterpillar and Bed, Bath & Beyond. These three projects alone created 4,100 jobs. The remaining 64 percent were expansions by existing Georgia companies. The largest of these expansions were by Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (1,000 jobs) and Home Depot (700 jobs).
Atlanta, as well as its surrounding cities, is a him for growing and expanding businesses. Norcross is collecting company headquarters, with RockTenn, Hyundai and FedEx making huge moves to the area.
The Global Commerce Division also managed aggressive outreach to Georgias small businesses and entrepreneur-led ventures, with 66 percent of companies assisted by the divisions Existing Industry and Regional Recruitment team during FY12 classified as small businesses. More than 1,100 startups and small businesses were assisted through direct contact or resource awareness.
TOP PROJECTS IN GEORGIA, FY12
Company
|
Type
|
Jobs
|
Investment
|
Location
|
Baxter
|
New
|
1,800
|
$1.3B
|
Jasper, Morgan, Newton, Walton
|
Caterpillar
|
New
|
1,400
|
$200M
|
Clarke, Oconee
|
KMMG
|
Expansion
|
1,000
|
$100M
|
Troup
|
Bed, Bath & Beyond
|
New
|
900
|
$50M
|
Jackson
|
Home Depot
|
Expansion
|
700
|
$24M
|
Cobb
|
Lowe's
|
New
|
600
|
$125M
|
Floyd
|
Carters
|
Expansion
|
600
|
$50M
|
Jackson
|
RockTenn
|
Expansion
|
500
|
$5M
|
Gwinnett
|
CHEXAR
|
Expansion
|
500
|
$1.9M
|
Crisp
|
Mohawk
|
Expansion
|
470
|
N/A
|
Chattooga
|
Dinex
|
New
|
430
|
$20M
|
Laurens
|
Mando
|
New
|
429
|
$200M
|
Meriwether
|