Presentation to Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce

1. Presentation to Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce June 2011

2. TopBusiness Rankings • Silver Shovel Award for innovation in economic development (Area Development 6/11) • #5 (up from #7) for Best State for Business (Chief Executive 5/11) • 6th best state in U.S. to do business (up from #8,Site Selection 11/10) • #1 in entrepreneurial activity (0.5% entrepreneurs per % of population, Kauffman/ITIF 11/10) • Consistently ranked #1 in the nation for workforce training (QuickStart)

3. Business Community • 694,000+ incorporated businesses • Atlanta has the 4th most U.S. headquarters of all cities in the United States: • 14 Fortune 500 company HQs in Georgia • 32 Fortune 1000 company HQs in Georgia • Small and medium companies: • 97.5% are SMEs (95 % have less than 50 employees;79% have less than 10 employees)

4. Global Stage Diplomatic Ties: • 70 countries are represented in Georgia • Around 100 Consulates, Honorary Consulates, Trade Commissions & Bilateral Chambers • International Concierge

5. Global Stage Georgia Exports: Twice as many jobs • Record year - 2010 • Nearly 100% growth in last decade • $28.7 billion ranking Georgia 12th • Mfg accounts for 92% of Georgia exports • National leader in the export of: • Wood pulp Textile Floor Coverings • Poultry Kaolin • Paper / paperboard (#2) • Georgia Imports: • $60.2 billion, ranking Georgia 9th • Largest importer in the Southeast US

6. Global Stage • Foreign Direct Investment: • 3,600 international companies employing 195,000 Georgians (www.georgiafacts.net) • International projects activity is up; size is smaller and longer decision time

7. Leading Trade & Investment Partners for Georgia • Canada • China • France • Germany • Ireland • Japan • Mexico • South Korea • United Kingdom

8. Georgia’s International Office Locations

9. Tourism • 2nd fastest growing state in the nation for inbound international growth • Up 15% in international tourists in 2010 • 8th most visited state • Georgia’s Visitors Information Centers won the Mercury Award for having the best VICs in 3 out of the past 4 years

10. Film • Top 5 of all production centers in US market for film and TV production • FY’ 11 (10 months only) $2.1 billion economic impact: FY’ 07 was at $244 million • What filmed in GA last year (just a few): • Fast Five • X-Men First Class • Last Song • Zombieland • Foot Loose (remake) • Conspirator (Savannah) • Blindside • Tim Burton’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” shot in Buford • “Killers” (Ashton Kutcher/Kathryn Heigl) shot in Cumming

11. Existing Industry • About 70% of all job creation and investment announcements. • FY’11 YTD the Existing Industry & Regional Team was responsible for 74% of all locations and 60% of all jobs created. • Each person calls on over 100 existing companies in Georgia.

12. Global Commerce Results FY’11 YTD • 17,927 jobs (3 % gain over last year) and $4 billion (14% over last year) • Region 2: 28 project locations in Region 2 resulting in 1,343 new jobs and $190 million in investment. • International Trade: • 54 companies served resulting in 11 export deals valued at $569,000 (91% of these deals were from companies with fewer than 100 employees) • Region 2 participation in: • EXPOHOSPITAL 2011 (Chile) • Farnborough Air-Show (UK) • FTA EXPO 2011 (Korea) • HOSPITALAR 2011 (Brazil) • Import Goods Fair 2011 (Korea) • MEDICA (Germany) • International Poultry Expo • Sunbelt Agricultural Expo • International Representatives Visit

13. GDEcD Services • Sales and Marketing Arm for Georgia • Small agency • Locations: • 12 Regional Offices • 10 International Offices (mostly contractors) • 9 Tourism Offices • 11 Visitor Information Centers

14. What we do: • Attract new business investment • Encourage the expansion of existing industry and small businesses • Develop new domestic and international markets • Attract tourists to Georgia • Promote GA as a location for film, video, music and digital entertainment projects • Plan and mobilize state resources for economic development

15. Georgia Competitiveness Initiative • Initiative is about encouraging growth by creating an environment that: • Helps Georgia businesses thrive • Helps them grow, and • Attracts new companies

16. Georgia Competitiveness Initiative • Key focus areas: • Business climate • Efficiency in government • Global commerce • Infrastructure • Innovation • Work force development (including education)

17. Georgia Competitiveness Initiative • Process Overview: • Steering Committee Assembled & Input Sought • Survey Released Statewide • Regional Meetings held to gather input • Report Drafted based on surveys and input from regional meetings • Report submitted to Governor • Co-Chairs: GDEcD Commissioner Chris Cummiskey • & Georgia Chamber President Chris Clark • www.georgiacompetitiveness.org

18. Georgia Competitiveness Initiative • Regional meetings: • hear the results of our recently conducted survey • establish regional priorities • offer additional ideas and opinions about what should be included in our strategy going forward. • No charge to attend however space is limited and registration is required: • http://www.cviog.uga.edu/gci • Region 2: August 25th at Lanier Tech, Forsyth County Conference Center

19. ContactUs • Suzanne Brown • Global Commerce Regional Existing Industry Program: sbrown@georgia.org • Cheryl Smith • Tourism • csmith@georgia.org • www.Georgia.org • 404-962-4000