Georgia Recognized For Excellence In Economic Development

ATLANTA, June 12, 2012 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) today announced that the State of Georgia is once again the recipient of the Silver Shovel award for its efforts in economic development. The award is issued by Area Development magazine, a leading trade publication covering site selection and location planning. Georgia is one of 14 states nationwide to receive this recognition. The Area Development Shovel Awards recognize state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that attract new employers as well as investments in expanded facilities. This is Georgia's third consecutive Shovel Awards win, and its fifth in the seven-year history of the Shovel Awards. 'When our hard work in economic development is recognized nationally, it sends a strong message that Georgia is undoubtedly among the best places to do business, and a place where companies can be truly competitive,' said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Cummiskey. 'A national recognition like this Silver Shovel award would not be attainable without the committed efforts from our teams statewide and around the world, and our partners around the state who help us every day carry out our mission to bring jobs and investment to Georgia.' The 2012 Shovel Awards recognizes significant economic development projects announced and initiated within the 2011 calendar year. Georgia was recognized for 10 projects that combined created nearly 4,000 jobs and more than $800 million in investment for Georgia. Bed, Bath & Beyond's Jackson County fulfillment center, The Home Depot's Cobb County customer service call center, and Lowe's Floyd County distribution center were among those economic development projects Georgia submitted for Shovel Awards consideration. 'As the economy slowly recovers, communities are going to great lengths to attract new businesses and to help their existing corporate citizens to expand their business," said Geraldine Gambale, editor of Area Development. 'The states receiving 2012 Shovel Awards deserve special recognition for their efforts.' Each of the 50 states was invited by Area Development to submit information about its top-10 job creation and investment projects. Only those projects that began to materialize in 2011 were considered. The Shovel Awards are given to the states with the highest weighted scores based on number of high-valued added jobs per capita, amount of investment, number of new facilities, and industry diversity. A report on the 2012 Shovel Award winners will be published in the Summer 2012 issue of Area Development and posted online at http://www.areadevelopment.com/awards. About GDEcD The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a destination for arts events and location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. www.georgia.org