The Georgia Department of Economic Development’s (GDEcD) Global Commerce Division helped create a total of 30,309 new jobs during FY 17, generating a record-breaking $6.33 billion in investments. This growth is a result of the expansion or relocation of 377 companies covering every region of the state.

Close to 60 percent of the job growth came from existing companies already here, however the Atlanta Business Chronicle reported, “companies new to the state created 12,444 jobs and generated $2.64 billion in investments.”

Last week, Area Development, a leading executive magazine covering corporate site selection and relocation, named Georgia the No. 1 state for business in its 2017 Top States for Doing Business rankings, a distinction Georgia has now earned for the fourth consecutive year.

This ranking reflects the results of a recent survey that asked site consultants to provide their top state picks in 12 categories related to companies’ location and facility planning. In addition to being the top overall state for business, Georgia ranked No. 1 for workforce development programs, and cooperative and responsive state government. 

Speaking of that No. 1 ranked workforce development program, make sure to check out our interview with Ben Hames, Georgia’s deputy commissioner of the workforce division.

One of the main drivers of the new investments is the state’s emphasis on workforce development. Georgia wants to get Georgians working. As Hames said in his interview: 

Everybody needs an entry point. How do I get back into the conversation? How do I explain the fact that I haven’t been doing anything for the last several years? You need that new entry point, or that rung on the ladder, and I think we provide that.

Make sure to visit Georgia’s workforce page and use this map to find a local One Stop center. Once you locate your center, go to it and let us help you get a fresh start on finding your next job.