Georgia Department of Economic Development

Name

Georgia Department of Economic Development

Legal name

Georgia Department of Economic Development

Website

https://georgia.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Economic Programs (926), Administration of General Economic Programs (92611), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Technical Cooperation, Capacity Building & Policy Advisory Programs (BPADABAO)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business recruitment assistance
• Site selection support
• Workforce development programs
• Export promotion services

Headquarters

HQ city

Atlanta

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriation and Budget: GDEcD is a state government agency funded primarily through annual state appropriations and budget allocations. Services to businesses are provided at no cost.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

GDEcD recruits new business investment to Georgia, supports the expansion and retention of existing industries, and promotes the state for tourism and film production. It administers incentive, grant, and certification programs, provides concierge site-selection assistance, coordinates workforce and rural development initiatives, and runs international offices that drive foreign direct investment. Services are delivered as a unified single point of contact for companies, site consultants, and partners evaluating Georgia.

Product overview

Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) operates georgia.org as a multi-service economic development platform offering digital tools and programs. The portfolio includes the Georgia Site Selector for locating development-ready properties, the GRAD Certification Program for site qualification, the Rural Site Development Initiative for rural site grants, the Georgia Export Grant for international trade assistance, and various industry-specific directories including the Production Directory and Locations Directory for the film industry. Communication services include the Spotlight Newsletter with multiple subscription options. The Georgia Made Program provides brand marketing for qualified manufacturers, and the Georgia Film Academy offers workforce certifications in production and post-production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development (GRAD): Certification program establishing pre-qualified industrial sites that are shovel-ready for construction projects
• Georgia Quick Start
• Georgia Council for the Arts
• Georgia Made
• Center of Innovation
• Rural Site Development Initiative
• Georgia Export Grant

Products and services

• Georgia Site Selector Digital site-selection tool that allows companies, site selection consultants, and economic developers to search available properties, buildings, and community data across Georgia to support location decisions.
• Locations Directory Web-based directory of available industrial and commercial properties and buildings across Georgia, used by companies and site consultants to identify potential locations.
• GRAD Certification Program Georgia Ready to Accelerate Development (GRAD) workforce certification program that helps Georgians earn industry-recognized credentials to meet employer demand.
• Rural Site Development Initiative (RSDI) State grant program that funds site readiness and infrastructure improvements in rural Georgia counties to make industrial and commercial sites shovel-ready for prospective employers.
• Georgia Export Grant Financial assistance program that reimburses a portion of eligible export-development expenses for Georgia-based small and mid-sized companies pursuing international sales.
• Georgia Production Directory Online directory of Georgia-based production resources, vendors, crew, and service providers used by film, television, and digital entertainment productions operating in the state.
• Georgia Film Academy Workforce training initiative that prepares students and existing industry professionals for careers in Georgia's film and entertainment production industry through certification programs.
• Georgia Made Program State-branded program that promotes products made in Georgia, providing participating companies with a Georgia Made designation and marketing support to grow sales.
• Spotlight Newsletter Periodic newsletter publication distributed by GDEcD to industry stakeholders, partners, and prospects to communicate agency news, announcements, and economic development updates.

Quantifiable outcome

• No. 1 State for Business for 12 consecutive years by Area Development Magazine (2025)
• +16 more outcomes

Named customers51 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Georgia Aerospace & Defense Alliance (GADA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGADA brings together global aerospace and defense companies to enhance industry competitiveness, advance workforce development, and support long-term sector growth across Georgia's aerospace ecosystem. GDEcD collaborates with GADA to promote Georgia as a premier location for aerospace manufacturing, maintenance, research, and cutting-edge innovation.
• Georgia Joint Defense Commission (GJDC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe GJDC provides additional resources for aerospace, defense, and military innovation in Georgia. It serves as a coordinating body between state government and the defense industry to leverage Georgia's nine military bases and defense assets for economic development.
• Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGCA is an agency under GDEcD that strengthens Georgia's arts industry by providing grants, arts education resources, and programs that support artists and nonprofit organizations in communities across the state. GCA connects Georgia's vibrant arts community with local governments and stakeholders for community development purposes.
• Georgia Technical College System / Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Technical College System of Georgia comprises 22 colleges with 88 campuses statewide, administering Georgia Quick Start (the nation's longest-running workforce development program founded in 1967). GDEcD leverages this network to deliver employer-specific workforce training at no cost to eligible job-creating businesses.
• University System of GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe University System of Georgia includes 26 institutions with four research universities, including Georgia Tech (top-20 public university) and UGA. GDEcD partners with the system to connect businesses with research capabilities, talent pipelines, and innovation resources.
• Georgia Quick StartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Quick Start, administered through the Technical College System of Georgia since 1967, is the nation's longest-running workforce development program. It provides free, employer-specific training to eligible job-creating businesses, and GDEcD actively promotes and connects businesses to this program.
• U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDEcD launched the Georgia Export Grant in partnership with the SBA to provide reimbursement funding for pre-approved export activities by eligible Georgia small businesses. This competitive grant program is designed to increase the number of small businesses that export and expand international sales.
• Georgia PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Power is one of Georgia's three primary utility providers and a key economic development partner. It offers reliable, affordable energy to businesses of all sizes with long-term planning to accommodate large load users. Georgia Power also maintains a site search database (SelectGeorgia.com) for site selection purposes.
• Georgia Electric Membership Corporation (Georgia EMC)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia EMC is one of Georgia's three primary utility providers, offering reliable energy services to member businesses. It also maintains a property database for site selection through ZoomProspector.com, supporting rural and statewide economic development.
• Electric Cities of Georgia (ECG)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectric Cities of Georgia is one of Georgia's three primary utility providers and maintains a site search database (LocationGeorgia.com) to support economic development site selection across member communities.
• Georgia Ports AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Ports Authority operates the Port of Savannah (3rd largest U.S. seaport) and Port of Brunswick (No. 1 Ro/Ro port in the U.S.). GDEcD works closely with GPA to promote Georgia's logistics advantages and attract port-related business investment.
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport / Delta Air LinescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHartsfield-Jackson Atlanta is the world's busiest airport and serves as a critical economic development asset. Delta Air Lines, headquartered in Atlanta, serves seven of Georgia's nine regional commercial airports and offers nonstop flights to 200+ domestic and international destinations. GDEcD promotes Georgia's air connectivity as a key business advantage.
• 60+ International Consular Offices in GeorgiamajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMore than 60 governments maintain consular offices and/or trade representation primarily in metro Atlanta. These offices develop economic, commercial, scientific, and cultural relations between the foreign governments they represent and the southeastern U.S., helping to facilitate international business connections for Georgia companies.
• 30+ Bi-National Chambers of CommercemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMore than 30 bi-national chambers of commerce are actively involved in Georgia's international business community. These organizations assist members in developing business contacts and foster, promote, and develop commercial relations and exchanges between Georgia and their countries.
• U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) NetworkmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGDEcD's Trade team partners with U.S. Export Assistance Center (USEAC) affiliates to provide Georgia businesses with expert guidance on expanding exports and entering new international markets. This federal-state partnership enhances export service delivery across the state.
• Georgia Center of InnovationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Georgia Center of Innovation is a key GDEcD resource providing small and mid-sized businesses with one-on-one support including technical guidance, research partnerships, supplier connections, and logistics support across key industries including aerospace, agtech, energy, IT, logistics, and manufacturing.
• WorkSource GeorgiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorkSource Georgia connects talent with opportunity through state-funded support for apprenticeship programs in high-demand career areas. GDEcD connects businesses to WorkSource Georgia programs as part of its comprehensive workforce development support.
• Georgia FinTech AcademymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaunched in partnership with the University System of Georgia in 2019, the Georgia Fintech Academy is the nation's first statewide fintech academy. It provides students with hands-on experience in banking, data analytics, and financial technologies, preparing a specialized talent pipeline for Georgia's 260+ fintech companies.
• Georgia Film AcademymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Film Academy provides industry certifications in Film and TV production, post-production, live production, and streaming, helping to train the workforce that supports Georgia's film industry which has produced 900+ projects in three years.
• Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDOT supports economic development through infrastructure planning, including the state's Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Study which provides a statewide blueprint for AAM adoption. GDEcD coordinates with GDOT on transportation infrastructure that enables business logistics.
• Georgia HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship ProgramsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-funded HOPE and Zell Miller Scholarship programs offer free tuition for 18 high-demand career fields. GDEcD highlights these programs as part of Georgia's talent pipeline advantages, having helped 2.1 million Georgians attend college or pursue technical training since 1993.
• Curiosity Lab and The RayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDEcD highlights living laboratories including Curiosity Lab and The Ray as collaborative innovation environments where next-generation technologies for autonomous and connected vehicles are developed, tested, and advanced. These public-private partnerships support advanced mobility innovation in Georgia.
• Georgia University System Research Institutions (Georgia Tech, UGA, Augusta University, Others)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGDEcD connects businesses with Georgia's research universities for product development, prototyping, and commercialization support. Key partners include Georgia Tech (top engineering programs), UGA (agricultural research), Augusta University (cybersecurity), and SCAD (creative technology), supporting innovation across all key industry sectors.

Scale indicators54 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Virginia Economic Development Partnership: Virginia's public-private economic development authority operating a comparable site-selector, workforce, and incentive portfolio; competes with Georgia particularly in aerospace, defense, and data-center/IT recruitment.
• Florida Department of Commerce (formerly DEO): Florida's lead state agency for business recruitment, workforce, and community development, serving a comparable role to GDEcD in a directly competing Sun Belt state for corporate relocations and tourism marketing.
• Ohio Department of Development: Ohio's statewide economic development department focused on site selection, workforce, and incentives — directly comparable to GDEcD's industrial/film/aerospace-and-defense recruitment mandate.
• North Carolina Department of Commerce: North Carolina's state economic development authority that recruits employers in aerospace, automotive, biotech, and advanced manufacturing — overlapping target industries with Georgia and competing for the same site-selection decisions in the Southeast.
• Texas Economic Development & Tourism: Texas's official state agency for attracting business investment, relocation, and tourism, directly comparable to GDEcD's economic-development mandate on a competing state platform with overlapping manufacturing, aerospace, and logistics recruitment programs.
• Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development: Tennessee's state-level EDO with active recruitment of automotive, EV, and advanced-manufacturing projects; a direct Southeast competitor whose wins (e.g., Ford/Memphis) compete head-to-head with Georgia's automotive playbook.
• California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz): California's state-level economic development office delivering business services, incentives, and international trade support; serves as the West Coast analog of GDEcD on a much larger state economy.
• Empire State Development (New York): New York's primary state economic development corporation, comparable in its film-tax-credit program and urban-tech recruitment, contrasting with GDEcD's Atlanta/Southeast industrial focus.

Others

• International Economic Development Council (IEDC): Non-profit professional association serving economic developers worldwide; not a direct peer but the trade body that sets standards, certifications, and best practices that GDEcD's staff operate against.
• World Economic Forum – State Competitiveness: Multilateral organization that ranks state/business competitiveness globally; acts as an ecosystem-level influencer whose global ranking systems shape the narrative environment for state EDOs like GDEcD.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gdecd
• Facebookfacebook.com/gdecd

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Georgia Department of Economic Development