New! Watch how Miura Manufacturing of Rockmart became a success story in Georgia.
The following testimonials have appeared in various Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) press releases or via third-party media outlets. To view a release or story please click on the "Read more" link.
August 2010
Manufacturing, development and a speedway
Source: Georgia Trend
At the end of a narrow street in the little town of Hampton in Henry County is one of the most important companies that nobody has ever heard of. Southern States, LLC,
housed in a collection of nondescript buildings behind a chain link fence, turns out the giant switches and capacitors that keep electrical transmission stations humming and lights on in a substantial portion of the U.S.
Although many Georgia counties have lost their manufacturing base, Henry can boast that fully 12 percent of its tax base is made up of such companies.
Read the complete article via Georgia Trends >>
June 2010
Georgia Centers of Innovation Partners with Venture Atlanta
“The Venture Atlanta partnership with the Centers of Innovation signifies the priority the organization places as an investment resource for all georgia companies seeking funding opportunities." Read more >>
Ashish Mistry, BLH Venture Partners, Founding Board Member of Venture Atlanta
June 2010
Dayton Superior Corporation Opens Major Manufacturing and Distribution Facility in Jackson County and Create 140 Jobs
“So much of what we want to accomplish is dependent on finding the right combination of location, workforce, training and business climate. We believe we’ve made the right investment — one that will benefit both our industry and the region." Read more >>
Rick Zimmerman, President & CEO, Dayton Superior Corporation
Jackson County, 90 employees
June 2010
EUE/Screen Gems Opens Studios in Atlanta
Company to Entice Film, Television and Digital Production Companies to Incentive-Friendly Georgia
“Producers, directors and studios came to us and asked us to go into Atlanta. We were humbled by that vote of confidence, and we feel strongly about how this investment further extends our offerings. This urban location expands our portfolio in a powerful way.” Read more >>
Chris Cooney, CEO and Co-Owner, EUE/Screen Gems
Fulton County
June 2010
May 2010
Georgia Welcomes Sony Ericsson Americas Headquarters to Atlanta
Mobile Technology Leader to Employ 180
“Atlanta is an ideal location for Sony Ericsson’s new regional headquarters, and we look forward to immersing ourselves in this vibrant community. Access to impressive office space and a diverse pool of talent, combined with close proximity to AT&T (operator partner), and easy access to Latin America, make Atlanta an obvious choice for relocation.” Read more >>
Anderson Teixeira, President, Region Americas, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications
Fulton County, 180 employees
May 2010
Animal Health & Sciences Plans Thomaston Manufacturing Facility
Biochemicals Manufacturer to Create 100 Jobs, Invest $9.1 Million
“The opportunities afforded by the strategic location of the Thomaston area contributed highly to this site selection. The unprecedented collaboration of the teams led by the state in conjunction with Mayor (Hays) Arnold’s office and the Thomaston-Upson County Development Authority were paramount in bringing this facility to Thomaston, Georgia.” Read more >>
Chris Callas, President & CEO, Animal Health & Sciences, Inc.
Upson County, 100 employees
May 2010
MAGE SOLAR Locates North American HQ in Dublin - German Leader in Renewable Energy Creating 350 Jobs and Investing $30 MIllion
“We are certain that we have found the perfect home for our company based on the excellent infrastructure, impressive workforce known for its productivity, integrity and skill, as well as a keenly business oriented leadership, who during the whole process also never lost focus of what is best for the future of Georgia, Laurens County and the City of Dublin.” Read more >>
Norbert Phillipp, CEO, MAGE SOLAR
Laurens County, 350 employees
May 2010
April 2010
Governor Perdue, Top-Tier Kia Supplier Johnson Controls Celebrate Grand Opening in West Point
“Johnson Controls is pleased to support our customer Kia in West Point and bring new jobs to the community. We appreciate all of the support we have received from the state of Georgia, the local community and the Valley Partnership in establishing this new plant.” Read more >>
Jeff Williams, Group Vice President and GM, Automotive Experience, Johnson Controls
Harris County, 300 employees
April 2010
ZF Group Announces Plans for Gainesville Wind Energy Plant
“ZF is very grateful that we were able to collaborate with state and local leaders to make this investment in the community and people of Gainesville and Georgia possible.” Read more >>
Elizabeth Umberson, ZF Division President, Commercial Vehicle & Special Friveline Technology, ZF Group
Hall County, 215 employees
April 2010
McDonough Food Manufacturer Expands to Henry County
“Having the State of Georgia’s and Henry County’s support on this project was an important part of our decision to locate this facility in McDonough. In addition to Georgia’s progressive business climate, the availability of an existing McDonough facility already outfitted for food processing served as a logistical advantage among competing sites for our expansion in the Southeast.” Read more >>
Dumas Garrett, President & CEO, De Wafelbakkers
Henry County, 242 employees
April 2010
GE Energy Opens Smart Grid Technology Center of Excellence in Cobb County
“Atlanta is an ideal location for us to continue to grow our Smart Grid business. This new Center of Excellence will strengthen our green workforce and help GE continue to create solutions to better address our 21st century energy needs.” Read more >>
Bob Gilligan, Vice President of Digital Energy, GE Energy
Cobb County, 400 employees
April 2010
NCR Opens Global Headquarters in Duluth
“In a little under a year, NCR has undertaken a remarkable transition, fueled by an excellent public-private partnership with the state and various local entities. Our new corporate headquarters, conceived and realized to promote innovation and collaboration, opening here in Georgia today, positions NCR for a very bright future. It will help us secure and extend our competitive edge, drive growth and enhance the service we provide to our customers.” Read more >>
Bill Nuti, Chairman & CEO, NCR Corporation
Gwinnett County, 4,000 employees (projected)
April 2010
MARCH 2010
Georgia Welcomes New Consulate General for Belgium
“By expanding our government’s mission in Atlanta through the new office of the Consulate General, the Kingdom of Belgium is recognizing the great importance of its relationships with Georgia and other southeastern states in the U.S.” Read more >>
Consul General Benoît Standaert, Atlanta Consulate, Kingdom of Belgium
March 2010
Consumer Electronics Service Provider Relocates Divisional HQ to Gwinnett County
“Gwinnett and the metro Atlanta region provide an excellent combination of convenient transportation access and skilled workforce requirements needed to promote our business growth and support our customers across the country.” ” Read more >>
Steven Miller, Encompass Executive Vice President and COO, Encompass Group Affiliates, Inc.
Gwinnett County, 100 employees
March 2010
Governor Perdue Announces First Data Creating 350 New Technology Jobs in Georgia
"Moving to Georgia was about our being closer to the customer. Eighty percent of our point-of-sale technology currently ships to the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, Southern and Midwestern regions. This move will enable us to respond faster to the market and better serve our customer base.” Read more >>
Barry McCarthy, First Data GM of Mobile Commerce & Point of Sale, First Data
Cobb County, 350 employees
March 2010
States Use tax Incentives to Draw Film Work from Hollywood
“There's nothing in (the movie) that couldn't have been shot in any midrange setting. The reason, and the sole reason it was shot in Georgia was the tax incentives.”
Read more about Georgia's Incentives >>
Tim Bourne, Independent Producer, "The Blind Side"
CNN.com
March 2010
Ohio-Belgium Solar Company Locates Americas Headquarters in Atlanta
"The central location of Atlanta to our markets in the southeast U.S., its transportation hub for ease across the U.S., Canada and South America and the spirit of innovation embraced by its academic and business community will provide the foundation for Enfinity to consolidate, intensify and broaden our reach in the delivery of renewable energy solutions.” Read more >>
Rafael Dobrzynski, CEO, Enfinity America Corporation, Enfinity
Atlanta, 30 employees
March 2010
International Dignitaries Representing 20 Countries to Tour Coastal Georgia
“Coastal georgia is a unique region of the state, and will undoubtedly prove beneficial to the countries we represent.” Read more >>
Amb. Reda Mansour, Consul General of Israel & Dean, Consular Corps of Georgia GDEcD Consulates & Consulate Services Page
March 2010
Ohio-Based ChemStation Expands to Marietta
"Through collaborating with the Georgia Department of Economic Development for our Marietta facility, our company gains greater coverage in Georgia, and an enhanced presence in the Southeast.” Read more >>
Joe Wilbanks, GM/Atlanta, ChemStation
Cobb County, 25 employees
March 2010
FEBRUARY 2010
Kia Manufacturing Plant Opening Celebrated in West Georgia
“Kia is proud to call West Point, Georgia home and we look forward to many years of growing together.” Read more >>
Byung-Mo Ahn, Group President & CEO of KMMG & Kia Motors America (KMA)
Kia Motors America
Troup County, 2,500 employees
February 2010
International Biotech Company Establishes North American HQ in Atlanta
“When our board decided to open the U.S. subsidiary, we first considered markets along the East Coast as primary locations. After meeting the GDEcD staff last April, we were encouraged by the strong Georgia nanotechnology and biotech cluster. Coupled with the Hartsfield-Jackson airport, the result was to choose Atlanta as our North American base.” Read more >>
Lluis M. Martinez, CEO, Sepmag Technologies
February 2010
QualTex Laboratories Expanding to Georgia, Invest $125M and Hire 125 Employees
"We chose metro Atlanta because it’s a leading medical commercial center in the Southeast, where we know we can find a quality workforce, and it helps us serve our growth and customers along the Eastern seaboard. It’s a logical choice.” Read more >>
Dr. Norman D. Kalmin, CEO-designate of QualTex Laboratories
Gwinnett County, 125 employees
February 2010
Montreal-Based Global Transportation Company Opening Facility in Macon
"The investment in the Macon service center...is evidence of Bombardier’s ongoing commitment to improve the maintenance support we offer our customers” Read more >>
James Hoblyn, President, Bombardier Customer Services
Bibb County, 180 employees
February 2010
Global Leader Web Industries Expands to Gwinnett County
"Our continued expansion in the Atlanta area is in direct support of the growing needs for advanced composites used in large-scale aerospace programs. Gwinnett and the State of Georgia is a strategic location for advanced manufacturers like Web Industries with room for growth and the qualified workforce we need to fill these new positions.” Read more >>
John Jaskot, GM/Atlanta Operations, Web Industries
Gwinnett County, 25 employees
February 2010
Georgia Entertainment Incentives Attracts $22M to Atlanta Company
“We’re very excited about collaborating with the famed Shaolin Temple on this ground-breaking project. This is a project that could have gone to many other places, so I’m glad the availability of the state’s incentives gave us a competitive edge, and that EARI and Georgia will be a part of the Temple’s continuing contributions to global culture.” Read more >>
Joseph Saulter, CEO and Founder, Entertainment Arts Research Inc.
February 2010
World's Leading Rolled Aluminum Manufacturer Moves North American HQ to Georgia
"The move of our North American headquarters to Atlanta will not only streamline our processes, but will also better align the North American business group with the global corporate center and vice versa. North America is one of our biggest markets, and it just makes good business sense to consolidate these operations at our Atlanta-based corporate headquarters.” Read more >>
Philip Martens, President and COO, Novelis, Inc.
Atlanta, 80 employees
February 2010
Georgia Launches Hire Work Ready for Small Business
“Georgia Work Ready is one of our state’s strongest economic development tools because it ensures we have the best possible workforce. By hiring Work Ready certified individuals, our state’s small businesses can enjoy all the benefits larger employers enjoy – great productivity, lower training costs and higher morale.” Read more >>
George M. Israel III, President and CEO, Georgia Chamber of Commerce
February 2010
Canadian Video Games Innovator Establishes Atlanta Division
“We are extremely pleased expand our operations into the U.S. and to have Atlanta serve as the primary base of operations for GameTree.tv. The state of Georgia has extended wonderful hospitality to us and continues to be extremely helpful as our operations get underway. We look forward to this continued collaboration as we grow and expand our Atlanta office.” Read more >>
Vikas Gupta, President and CEO, TransGaming Inc.
February 2010
Yazaki Corporation Located North American HQ in Gainesville
"Initially, we considered Georgia because of the proximity to our customers and the outstanding infrastructure for moving our product and people throughout North America. The quality of the workforce and the long-term commitment of training support from the Quick Start Program and Lanier Technical College have really been differentiating factors for us.” Read more >>
Nao Yazaki, Executive V.P., Yazaki Corporation
Hall County, 30-40 employees
February 2010
JANUARY 2010
California-based Manufacturer Expands to Coffee County
"The positive guidance and assistance that the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Douglas-Coffee County Development Authority provided to Orcon Products during its search for a location for a new manufacturing site were deciding factors in Orcon Products selection of Douglas-Coffee County. It’s always a pleasure to work with professionals.” Read more >>
Hollis Bascom, CEO & Founder, Orcon Corporation
Cobb County, 25 employees
January 2010
RWE Innogy of Germany and BMC of Sweden to Locate Bioenergy Production Plant in Waycross
"With its vast forest lands, Georgia is the ideal partner for us in respect to biomass. What has convinced us in particular is the high standard of sustainability applied by the state in planting and harvesting forests. This is fully in line with our own criteria. These conditions certainly helped the decision to go ahead with the construction of the pellet factory and to create about 75 jobs." Read more >>
Prof. Fritz Vahrenholt, CEO, RWE Innogy
Ware County, 75 employees
January 2010
"The location in Waycross Georgia is perfect for us and we feel very welcomed in the local community.” Read more >>
Mats Lindstrand, BMC Founder & Managing Partner, BMC
Ware County, 75 employees
January 2010