Atlanta Business Chronicle: Op-Ed: Momentum means optimism for 2021

By Pat Wilson, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Economic Development
As published in the Atlanta Business Chronicle
January 8, 2021

Despite 2020’s uncertain realities and significant change, Georgia turned those 2020 buzzwords – “pivot,” “adapt,” even “unprecedented” – into good news.

By partnering with our employers and communities in confronting challenges from COVID-19 head-on, we’ve regained our economic momentum while developing industries that will provide the jobs of the future. In fact, despite the downturn in our service industries, the number of people working in Georgia actually reached an all-time high during the COVID-19 pandemic!

Jobs and investment numbers from July through December are higher than the same period last year. During December, a month when the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has traditionally seen a drop in secured locations and expansions, we’ve seen an increase over last year. Key industries like automotive, food processing and advanced manufacturing grew substantially during 2020, and the Georgia Centers of Innovation continue to build critical ecosystems to fuel additional growth and remain competitive.

To expand markets, small businesses are utilizing the specialists in GDEcD’s International Trade division, which earned an unprecedented fourth President’s “E-Star” Award for Export Services last year. Across government and business, Georgia’s vital life sciences communities have supported COVID-19 response and developed life-saving vaccines. Vaccines are now being distributed with help from Georgia’s extensive logistics networks and Georgia-based Fortune 500 companies such as UPS and Delta. Vaccine effectiveness and availability has improved job creators’ confidence levels, too.

Our metro areas are seeing continued growth in Health IT, cybersecurity, and financial technology, and in Atlanta along with esports, have reinforced the city’s ranking as the No. 1 tech hub in the U.S.

Companies are also increasing investments in equipment and automation, and because highly automated facilities require fewer overall workers, our rural communities can compete for projects that normally would locate only in highly populated areas. Our education systems continue to play a vital role in securing these projects, adapting curriculums and course offerings to accommodate in-demand higher skilled, higher paying jobs. Last month, three more College and Career Academies were announced, proving to businesses that our local communities are also 100% committed to developing a critical workforce infrastructure.

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is already creating more “jobs of the future.” High demand and rapid growth over the next 20 years will cause dramatic innovation and change. As the center of the southeast automotive corridor with close proximity to the region’s automotive original equipment manufacturers, Georgia is positioned to capitalize on these trends to support the entire EV supply chain. In addition to SK Innovation’s game-changing battery production facility, we recently announced Turkish manufacturer TEKLAS and German company GEDIA Automotive chose Georgia for new EV part production facilities.

Renewable energy is also growing direct and indirect jobs across the state as businesses seek a cleaner carbon footprint. As a Top 10 solar installations state, Georgia is able to meet those needs. Dalton is home to Q CELLS, which opened in 2019 as the largest solar panel manufacturing facility in the Western Hemisphere. The largest operational solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in the Southeast is in Twiggs County in central Georgia. Our University System of Georgia researchers and professors are leading this cutting-edge movement and supplying the needed workforce.

The Georgia Film Office has been a leader in film industry growth, and was first to provide safety guidelines so Georgia production crews could return to work. This quick adaptation to new protocols afforded economic opportunities for small businesses who provide construction, catering, personal services and more. Our sound stages are booming, and studios are growing in Georgia to accommodate demand. Georgia was named No. 1 in the U.S. for film production in FY20 by Business Facilities magazine.

In Georgia, we continue to nurture all aspects of our high quality of life, including tourism and the arts. Recent data provides optimism for Georgia’s tourism industry, and our tourism division, Explore Georgia, is positioning our state to help lead the U.S. travel industry out of the pandemic. Georgia Council for the Arts continues to work with our creative industries to provide a lifeline through grants and connections, especially as people crave healthy creative escapes.

Georgia’s future-focused leaders have established policies that ensure Georgia’s continued growth, and have helped us earn the No. 1 State for Business designation for a record-setting eight years in a row.

UGA’s recent Economic Forecast was optimistic for 2021 because Georgia has developed countless critical assets needed to support our diverse economic base through consistent future planning. So we begin 2021 with full confidence in both our foundation and our plans for a productive future for all Georgians.