For the Fourth Time, Georgia Earns Number One State for Business Ranking

For the fourth year in a row, the state of Georgia has been named the number one state in which do do business by Site Selection Magazine. The announcement was made this morning at the Capitol by the magazine’s Mark Arend, flanked by Governor Nathan Deal and former Georgia Economic Development head Chris Carr.

Leading up to the announcement, Governor Deal cited several advantages the Peach State has when it comes to attracting business, including what he called the “best economic development team in the United States,” which he credited for improving job opportunities for Georgians. He also cited the state’s growing manufacturing sector, and the work the state has done to make it easier for manufacturers to relocate or expand their operations here, including the Quick Start training program provided at no cost to employers, the University System of Georgia and the technical college system, and the High Demand Career Initiative program, which determines the most in-demand skills and promotes training program to ensure educated workforce candidates in these fields are available.

The governor also cited the state’s infrastructure as key to attracting and developing business opportunities, including the world’s largest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson, and the Ports System, including the Ports of Savannah and Bruswick. Deal also highlighted the transportation infrastructure, noting that because of the passage of the Transportation Funding Act in 2015, there is a solid plan for maintaining and improving the state’s roads and bridges.