Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle

Despite 2020’s uncertain realities and significant change, Georgia turned those 2020 buzzwords – “pivot,” “adapt,” even “unprecedented” – into good news.

By partnering with our employers and communities in confronting challenges from COVID-19 head-on, we’ve regained our economic momentum while developing industries that will provide the jobs of the future. In fact, despite the downturn in our service industries, the number of people working in Georgia actually reached an all-time high during the COVID-19 pandemic!

Jobs and investment numbers from July through December are higher than the same period last year. During December, a month when the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) has traditionally seen a drop in secured locations and expansions, we’ve seen an increase over last year. Key industries like automotive, food processing and advanced manufacturing grew substantially during 2020, and the Georgia Centers of Innovation continue to build critical ecosystems to fuel additional growth and remain competitive.

To expand markets, small businesses are utilizing the specialists in GDEcD’s International Trade division, which earned an unprecedented fourth President’s “E-Star” Award for Export Services last year.

Across government and business, Georgia’s vital life sciences communities have supported COVID-19 response and developed life-saving vaccines. Vaccines are now being distributed with help from Georgia’s extensive logistics networks and Georgia-based Fortune 500 companies such as UPS and Delta. Vaccine effectiveness and availability has improved job creators’ confidence levels, too.

Our metro areas are seeing continued growth in Health IT, cybersecurity, and financial technology, and in Atlanta along with esports, have reinforced the city’s ranking as the No. 1 tech hub in the U.S.

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