Area Development Names Georgia #1 State for Business for Fourth Year in a Row

Staff Report From Georgia CEO

Friday, September 22nd, 2017

Georgia did it again! Georgia has been ranked No. 1 on Area Development’s Top States for Doing Business survey, a distinction Georgia has now earned for the fourth consecutive year.

“We are honored to have received the top state for business ranking from Area Development for the fourth year in a row,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “This ranking is a testament to sound leadership from Governor Deal, the tireless work from our economic development team at the state level, as well as the collaborative efforts with all of our economic development partners in communities across the state, our utility partners, educational assets and beyond. Our culture of collaboration is clear in this ranking, and we look forward to many more years at the top.”

Area Development is a leading executive magazine veering corporate site selection and relocation. The rankings were determined by a survey distributed to site consultants, who ultimately chose Georgia as No. 1.

Georgia ranked No. 1 for workforce development programs, and cooperative and responsive state government.

“The economic development playing field for U.S. states is more competitive than ever. For the fourth consecutive year our 2017 annual survey of active site consultants once again ranked Georgia the top state for doing business,” said Area Development Magazine’s Publisher and President Dennis Shea. “In today’s economy a state that will take the time to understand a company’s unique set of needs, and go above and beyond to deliver solutions is critically important. In two of the most important survey categories Georgia ranked as the leader in workforce development programs and providing ‘cooperative & responsive state government.”

This ranking is a testament to the hard work and commitment from our state economic development team as well as our statewide partners who have made to bolstering Georgia throughout the world. We are extremely proud to hold this title for another year, and look forward to Georgia’s future in economic development.

From the Georgia Department of Economic Development