Georgia Named No. 1 State for Aerospace Manufacturing Attractiveness

Georgia has advanced to the No. 1 spot in Pricewaterhouse’s (PwC) annual rankings on Aerospace Manufacturing Attractiveness in 2020. Georgia’s top status is based on strong category rankings in Infrastructure (#1), Industry (#4), Economy (#4) and Tax Policy (#4). A strong Top 10 finisher throughout all seven years of PwC index, Georgia benefits from both military and civilian manufacturing and extended supply chains.

“Georgia’s $57.5 billion aerospace industry is an important economic driver for our state,” said Pat Wilson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “Our state’s strong infrastructure, skilled workforce, and business-friendly approach make us a prime candidate for aerospace manufacturers who are considering a new location.”

Georgia offers a unique method of support for strategic industries such as aerospace through its Centers of Innovation (COI). COI is comprised of industry-specific teams who assist companies to accelerate the development of new products, ideas and business models. The COI Aerospace team, led by Amy Hudnall, supports Georgia’s 800+ aerospace companies by connecting them to resources, research, and potential business collaborators to help them connect, compete and grow.

“Aerospace manufacturing is a global industry, with each manufacturer connected to many suppliers. Georgia’s strong base of aerospace suppliers contributes individual parts and complex systems for both military and civilian aircraft,” said Hudnall.

Aerospace manufacturing has been a key part of Georgia’s economy since the early 1940’s when Bell Aircraft started building B-29 bombers in Marietta. Lockheed Martin and Gulfstream Aerospace soon followed, creating a robust aerospace manufacturing ecosystem across the state. In fact, aerospace products have been Georgia’s No. 1 export since 2014, and totaling $10.8 billion in 2019. Although the industry has been severely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, Georgia’s aerospace ecosystem is diverse, resilient and able to adapt to new technologies. How can the team at the Center of Innovation for Aerospace help your aerospace company? Contact us at [email protected].

- Published September 18, 2020