Georgia Department of Economic Development

As the state’s liaison to the Georgia-based Consular Corps, we were proud to host a conversation yesterday with leaders from the Georgia Ports Authority and Savannah Economic Development (SEDA) to highlight our coastal and inland ports and the important role these assets play in our economic development strategy.

Celebrating both Small Business Week and World Trade Day is a great reminder that our team of Trade professionals serves Georgia small and medium-sized businesses by helping them grow their global customer base through exporting. With representatives in 12 markets, and dedicated solely to the needs of Georgia exporters, our team provides trusted on-the-ground support, from start to finish. Learn more and connect for resources and insights: www.georgia.org/international/trade

This National Travel and Tourism Week, Explore Georgia joins thousands across the country to recognize the #PowerOfTravel and its role in rebuilding our country. To celebrate, Explore Georgia just revealed the 2021 Explore Georgia Official State Travel Guide and recovery marketing campaign Ready. Set. Georgia. The FREE guide is now available at all nine Georgia Visitor Information Centers and online at bit.ly/EGTravelGuide2021. #nttw

The Georgia-lensed ‘Thunder Force,’ starring Melissa McCarthy and Octavia Spencer, premieres on Netflix today! Check out the trailer here: https://www.exploregeorgia.org/thunder-force-official-trail #GeorgiaFilm

It’s a pleasure to welcome EPac Flexible Packaging to our family of Georgia Made companies as they continue to grow their footprint and create jobs in the state. For more on their Gwinnett County expansion: https://www.partnershipgwinnett.com/epac-expands-operations/ Partnership Gwinnett And for more on the Georgia Made program: https://www.georgia.org/georgia-made

With increasing demand for electric vehicles, the State of Georgia stands to play a critical role in shaping the domestic battery landscape. CNBC highlights how Georgia could keep the American automotive industry competitive to meet global demand. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F713pmZCN2I

Bimbo QSR, a subsidiary of Mexican multinational company Grupo Bimbo, will invest more than $25 million in opening a food processing facility in Valdosta, delivering 74 jobs to Lowndes County. https://www.georgia.org//gov-kemp-applauds-bimbo-qsr-estab

Georgia is truly the center for Global Health, and last week, Georgia Bio recognized GDEcD’s Director of Life Sciences EJane Caraway at the annual Golden Helix Awards for her incredible impact in growing Georgia’s Life Sciences industry. Learn more about Georgia’s Life Sciences industry, and the economic impact EJane continues to make across the state: https://www.georgia.org//gdecds-director-life-sciences-eja

Georgia is ready to safely host meetings and conventions! On Global Meetings Industry Day, Explore Georgia is excited to join destinations across the globe in supporting this important industry and recognizing the number one priority of all meeting and events - health and safety. Find out more about meeting safely in Georgia here: https://www.georgia.org//explore-georgia-state-ready-safel

Pete's, a long-time, California-based greenhouse grower, will invest $18 million in opening their first eastern U.S. indoor, controlled environment agriculture facility in Warner Robins in Peach County, Georgia. https://www.georgia.org//indoor-greens-company-petes-open-

From job creation and record-setting accolades for international trade to travel beginning to pick back up, Georgia remains on the right track for economic recovery. Georgia Trend has the details: https://www.georgiatrend.com//good-economic-news-for-geor/

Looking to get out and Explore Georgia? One of Georgia's oldest and most beloved state parks, Vogel State Park, was named best in US for RV camping according to USA TODAY 10Best. Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites https://www.10best.com/aw/travel/best-state-park-for-rvers/

Two-time Emmys / Television Academy Emmy Award-winning executive producer and GMSDC member Rushion McDonald is expanding his content development, production, marketing and distribution company 3815 Media, Inc. with a headquarters in Peachtree Corners, creating 23 jobs in Gwinnett County. Find out more here: https://www.georgia.org//georgia-minority-supplier-develop

Family-owned and operated Ken’s Foods, renowned for its dressings, sauces, and marinades, will invest $103 million and create 70 new jobs as they expand their manufacturing and distribution operations in Henry County. https://www.georgia.org//kens-foods-invests-103-million-ex

We look forward to advancing public-private partnerships with InComm as we work toward the common goal of advancing Georgia’s robust FinTech ecosystem.

Commissioner Wilson, Deputy Commissioner Abby Turano and Chief of Protocol Nico Wijnberg met yesterday with the Consul General of Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta and Chief Executive Director of JETRO Atlanta. Japanese companies employ over 30,000 Georgians and have proven steadfast in their commitment to Georgia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The consulate praised Georgia’s decisiveness during the pandemic as a key contributor to the continued health of Japanese businesses during these times. While discussing how Georgia can continue to support these companies and partners, the team was also able to introduce Joseph Huntemann in his new role as Georgia’s representative in Tokyo, which he’ll be undertaking next year!

The Georgia Department of Economic Development today celebrated the success of the long-term partnerships between the State of Georgia and Japan, and also announced the new managing director of Georgia’s Tokyo Office. https://www.georgia.org//georgia-celebrates-success-japan-

Toyota Industries Compressor Parts America will expand its Pendergrass, Georgia, production facility to meet growing demand for its onboard power electronics. The company will invest $5.5 million in the project and create at least 27 new jobs in Jackson County over the next 18 months. https://www.georgia.org//toyota-industries-compressor-part

Good News Alert: Our International Trade team has been recognized with the President’s E Star Award for Export Service from U.S. Department of Commerce the first group in the program’s 59-year history to win this award four times. Commissioner Pat Wilson for the Georgia Department of Economic Development noted, This recognition is a testament to Georgia’s role in the global economy, the quality of our Georgia goods and services, and the commitment of our team in-state and abroad who continue to find success year in and year out. More about why when you’re working with our International Trade team, you’re working with the most effective Trade team in the U.S. : https://www.georgia.org//georgia-international-trade-offic

Safety is the key to restoring Georgia tourism, writes Mark Jaronski Explore Georgia deputy commissioner in the AJC. The tourism industry is essential to Georgia’s economic recovery, and we can all help by taking simple measures to fight the spread of COVID-19. #GeorgiaSafetyPromise https://www.ajc.com//opinion-s/3HWKVIXFKZHSJFAODDO7SNS6X4/

Georgia Made Takeda, a co-founder of the global CoVIg-19 Plasma Alliance, is in Phase 3 of clinical trials for a COVID-19 treatment for high-risk patients. This rapid progress would not be possible without plasma donations from COVID-19 survivors, but more plasma is needed. More about how COVID-19 survivors can be a part of this potential solution via: The Rockdale Citizen: https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com//article_13693780-12

Family-owned and operated marine and power sports company Outdoor Network (ODN) will invest nearly $22 million in two projects in Albany, Georgia and deliver 92 jobs. Outdoor Network has emerged as an international powerhouse dealer and distributor of marine and powersports equipment and parts, supplying renowned brands including Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki, Can-Am, Mercury, Sea Doo, Evinrude, and OXE Marine Diesel Outboards. https://www.georgia.org//outdoor-network-announces-headqua

Georgia Council for the Arts, today announced the recipients of the Vibrant Communities and Cultural Facilities grant awards for fiscal year 2021. The Vibrant Communities Grant supports a variety of arts programming opportunities in communities, and the Cultural Facilities Grant supports the restoration or renovation of a building to be used for arts programming. Seventy-seven entities in 58 counties will receive more than $585,000 in funding as part of this year’s awards. https://www.georgia.org//georgia-council-arts-awards-77-or