Bringing in business is a top priority for every state. New corporate locations and expansions create jobs and expand and diversify the tax base. Even though most would agree we have largely recovered from the Great Recession, the memories of that brutal downturn are still painfully sharp and linger — and still impact decision-making by corporate leadership. Today companies pay more attention to how states held on to and supported business during the Great Recession; in turn, states are more motivated to do all they can to attract, diversify, and support new business and stand out from competing states.

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Georgia has effectively used its centralized location among Southeastern automotive OEMs to recruit a wide-array of small to mid-sized part suppliers.  From BMW to the east, Volkswagen to the north, and Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, and Kia to the west, these European and Asian suppliers represent a significant amount of the new manufacturing base being built in our state.

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A great article recently featured public power and its role in economic development, and the power of partnerships. The article interviews Daryl Ingram, ECG’s Sr. Vice-President of External Affairs & Economic Development as well as leaders in Austin, Texas; Sacramento, California; Greenville, North Carolina; Independence Missouri;  Anderson, Indiana and Orlando, Florida. Ingram says, “Quality of life attracts new residents, and that, in turn, attracts new employers. If you’ve got the right kind of people, companies are going to find you.”
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Sr. Vice President with ECG’s Office of Economic & Community Development, Daryl Ingram talks about working with member cities across Georgia to grow communities in both jobs and development, and the importance of the collaborative approach.
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