Georgia Recognized as Top State for Business for the 11th Consecutive Year

09/16/2024

Atlanta, GA - On Friday, September 13th, Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Georgia has been ranked the No. 1 state for business for the 11th year in a row by Area Development magazine, a record unmatched by any other state. This accolade underscores Georgia's pro-business environment, which creates opportunities across the state. Kemp attributed the success to efforts like Georgia MATCH, a direct college admissions program aimed at increasing enrollment in Georgia’s University System (USG) and Technical College System (TCSG), with enrollment up 9.3% in TCSG and 6.2% in USG this fall.

The Area Development ranking is determined by a poll of around 50 site consulting firms and evaluates 14 factors, such as workforce availability, cost of doing business, government cooperation, and infrastructure. Georgia's workforce development program, Georgia Quick Start, was also recognized as the nation’s best for the 15th year in a row.

At the summit, Governor Kemp highlighted efforts to strengthen workforce development through the Georgia MATCH program, which sent letters to high school seniors across the state to encourage college attendance. The program is already seeing positive results despite the challenges posed by FAFSA delays. The summit itself brought together leaders from business, education, and policy sectors to ensure workforce readiness.

Commissioner Pat Wilson of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) and Governor Kemp both emphasized the importance of partnerships and investments in infrastructure, education, and workforce development, which have driven economic success in the state. In fiscal year 2024, Georgia supported 429 facility expansions and new locations, leading to over $20.3 billion in investment and the creation of nearly 27,000 new jobs. This economic development momentum continues to provide long-term benefits for Georgia’s communities and industries.

Governor Kemp reiterated his goal of making Georgia not only the best state for business but also the top state for talent, aligning education and training with available jobs across the state to ensure continued economic growth.