The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is a department of the state of Georgia, United States. The GDEcD is responsible for managing resources to attract new business investments to Georgia, expand Georgia's existing industries and businesses, locate new markets for Georgian products, and promote and fund entertainment projects produced in the state.
History
Originally named the Georgia Department of Commerce, the agency was established by law in 1949. Governor Herman Talmadge appointed the first five-member board under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated sections 50-7-1 through 50-7-41. George C. Gaines served as the first commissioner.
Leadership
Pat Wilson was appointed Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development by Governor Nathan Deal in November 2016. As Commissioner, he leads the state agency responsible for creating jobs and investment in Georgia through business recruitment and expansion, international trade and tourism, as well as the arts, film and music industries. Christopher M. Carr served as Commissioner from November 2013 until his appointment as state Attorney General in November 2016.
Key resources
Encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small business
Developing new domestic and international markets
Recruiting new business to locate in the state
Identifying key markets in Georgia for companies specific needs
Attracting tourists to Georgia
Promoting the state as a location for film, video, music, digital entertainment projects Promoting the state as a top destination for artists and arts events Planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development
Agency organization
The Georgia Department of Economic Development is divided into seven distinct divisions: Global Commerce; International Trade; Workforce; the Georgia Centers of Innovation; Tourism; Film, Music & Digital Entertainment and the Georgia Council for the Arts. These seven divisions are supported by an Administration division and a Marketing and Communications division. Learn more about the department at Georgia.org.
Global Commerce Division
The Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division assists businesses with an interest in growing or locating in the state by coordinating a variety of services that include site location, employee training, market research and export assistance and consultation. In FY2012, assistance from the Global Commerce division led to 403 announced projects and nearly $6B in investment.
Entrepreneur & Small Business Development
With 97% of all Georgia businesses classified as small businesses, GDEcD supports this sector through several approaches such as direct company relationships, resource awareness, B-2-B opportunities and local-level business development.
International Trade Division
The Georgia Department of Economic Development International Trade Division works closely with companies in Georgia that are looking for global markets and with international firms looking to either locate to the United States or secure American business partners.
GDEcD has international representation in 11 markets including Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Israel and the United Kingdom.
Centers of Innovation
The Centers of Innovation (COI) is a program designed to accelerate the growth of technology-based companies.
The COI program is composed of six centers: agribusiness, aerospace, energy, life sciences, logistics and manufacturing. Located in Atlanta, Augusta, Gainesville, Savannah, Tifton and Eastman.
Tangible services include access to university-level research and development, product commercialization, industry-specific business counsel, matching research grants for qualified companies, networking opportunities and connecting clients to potential investor networks.
Georgia Allies
Formed in 1997 as a partnership between state government and private corporations.
Tourism Division
The Georgia Department of Economic Development Tourism Division helps individual visitors and groups discover Georgia's vacation options and helps them to plan their stay. Through its network of regional and international representatives, it also assists the state's communities and attractions in drawing potential travelers to their areas.
The state's tourism industry employs more than 400,000 people creating a total economic impact of more than $52 billion annually.