2024 Year in Review

Georgia Power Economic Development achieved another solid year for jobs and capital investment. 2024 marked a shift in the industry sectors that are leading the way.

Office and headquarter projects rebounded this year reflected in our top locations. Supply chain and manufacturing locations remain strong, particularly Food Processing, Aerospace, Electric Transportation, and Warehouse & Distribution. Eight data center projects, including Vantage Data Centers with $800M, made up 22% of all capital investment.

Metro Atlanta contributed a significant amount of last year’s jobs with 3,165, signaling the return of headquarters and office projects. Notable locations were the AIG innovation hub (1,077 jobs), PrizePicks headquarters (1,018 jobs), and Amazon logistics center (1,000 jobs). Other major job creators included First Quality Baby Products expansion (600 jobs; 375 retained), and SOLARCYCLE glass manufacturing (617 jobs).

Georgia’s approach to economic development continued to be recognized nationally. Area Development magazine named Georgia the No. 1 state for business for the eleventh consecutive year, and Georgia Power was named a Top Utility for economic development for the 26th year in a row by Site Selection magazine. Georgia also led the way as CNBC’s Top State for Infrastructure.

From our team to yours, we thank you for another year of partnership and collaboration. As we hit the ground running in 2025, we remind our partners that we are Here for Georgia, Here for You.

Hot off the digital presses – top industry publications

From manufacturing to technology, Georgia’s top industries thrive thanks to our competitive business costs, skilled workforce, and world-class transportation infrastructure that provides unmatched access to global markets.

These statewide benefits support all business, but each industry has specific needs when choosing a location. Every industry page provides insight into the features that support Georgia’s fastest growing sectors – from the technical workforce and innovation centers to recent announcements and company locations.

“When asked, ‘Why Georgia?’ companies and consultants want to know how similar businesses are doing in the state. They want to know how each industry succeeded here, be it through skilled workforce, partnerships with local institutions, or research and development opportunities. Our team captures this type of information on the top industry pages and in the publications,” shared Marion Phillips, Research Manager.

Updated annually, these publications are produced by Georgia Power’s award-winning research team of analysts and data scientists. Leveraging the most trusted data sources available, the publications are tools for consultants, companies, and economic development professionals that offer a statewide view of Georgia’s target industries.

Explore Georgia Power’s industry publications for Aerospace, Automotive, Chemical Manufacturing, Digital Media & Entertainment, Electric Transportation, Metal Manufacturing, FinTech, Food Processing, Information & Communication Technology, Life Sciences, Plastics & Rubber Manufacturing, and Warehouse Distribution.

These are available at Top Industries | Select Georgia.

Have you seen the updates to the Site Selector?

We understand that consultants and businesses need to go beyond a dropped pin when searching for properties in Georgia. With recent updates to the Site Selector, it’s easier than ever to find properties and buildings in Georgia while exploring the benefits of each region.

The newly enhanced Site Selector is a gateway to over 600 available site listings across Georgia. Whether a company is on the hunt for industrial space or office buildings over 10,000 square feet, the tool streamlines the search process with a user-friendly property search form.

But the Site Selector goes beyond listing properties. It empowers you with the ability to generate comprehensive demographic and workforce reports- crucial data for making informed decisions. These reports cover key factors in economic development, including demographics, workforce, housing, retail potential, and the recently updated incentive zones in Georgia.

“The Site Selector includes updated job tax credit tier rankings, credit amounts, and incentive zones. Not only can you see if a site or building is in a state opportunity zone, less developed census track, or military zone, but you can also calculate the actual job tax credit offered for each available property. This feature makes it easier than ever to evaluate your options,” shared Jeff DeWitt, GIS Administrator, Georgia Power.

Check out the Site Selector updates today on selectgeorgia.com.

Is your community ready for retail?

The retail industry plays a pivotal role in shaping communities and boosting local economies. Forrester predicts that in 2025, retail will grow to $24.9 trillion in total sales, with only one-fifth of that being online (Forrester).

For economic developers and community leaders, understanding the intricacies of retail development is critical to fostering long-term growth and creating vibrant, thriving areas where businesses and residents can flourish.

But retail isn’t just about stores and shopping centers—it's about creating destinations, attracting key businesses, and positioning your community as a hub of opportunity.

Mill Graves, Vice President, South Central Region, Retail Strategies shared tips for crafting a retail strategy at last year’s Retail Summits that you can view on selectgeorgia.com.

Want to add more retail news to your shopping chart in 2025? Stay tuned for exciting news from our team on how to get retail ready.

The team that learns together, grows together

Team Georgia remains a top state for our ability to collaborate across county lines, and emphasis on economic development education. From mandatory board training to AI Essentials - our statewide partners have you covered.

• University at Georgia’s Carl Vinson Institute of Governments – Various economic development training and certifications available.
• GA Academy for Economic Development – 2025 Sessions kick off in late January. Stay informed of upcoming sessions and added resources by following their new LinkedIn page.
• Sidebar Conferences – Development Authority and Downtown Development Authority Board Member Training offered online.

ICYMI – Q4 2024 News and Updates from SelectGeorgia.com

• 2024 Year in Review
• For One Valdosta Lowndes, it’s back to business
• Upgraded Site Selector
• Georgia Power’s First Energy Storage System Reaches Commercial Operation
• Q&A with Jason and Jacob Dunn of Fitzgerald, Georgia
• Georgia Power Installs New Solar Canopy at Company Headquarters
• What Economic Developers Need to Know About Retail