Governor Nathan Deal announced today that the publication Area Development voted Georgia as the leading state for business for the fifth year in a row.
Deal made the announcement in Savannah during the State of the Ports Address alongside Dennis J. Shea, the publisher of Area Development. At the ceremony, Deal said the award shows the strength of Georgia’s pro-business economy.
““We are committed to investing in our workforce and transportation infrastructure so that companies looking to relocate or expand will have Georgia on their minds today and in the future,” Deal said. “Thanks to our low-tax structure, technology infrastructure and gateways to global commerce, including our expansive ports system, Georgia is the home of leading manufacturers, innovative technology companies, growing small businesses, film productions and studios, international firms and industries of all types.”
The publication gave Georgia this distinction based on its performance in these areas:
- Overall cost of doing business
- Corporate tax environment
- Business incentives programs
- Access to capital and project funding
- Competitive labor environment
- Leading workforce development programs
- Shovel-ready sites program
- Cooperative and responsive state government
- Favorable general regulatory environment
- Favorable utility rates
- Most improved economic development policies.
In addition to the business distinction, Georgia also ranked first among all of the states for “leading workforce development programs” and “cooperative and responsive state government.”
Recent economic highlights for the state include 40 new corporate or relocations to Georgia since 2011, resulting in $357 million in investments, and a 296 percent increase in the economic impact of the entertainment industry in the last seven years.
To see Area Development’s full article, click here.