Economic Navigator: Georgia’s Roadmap to Remaining Competitive
Published January 29, 2025
Over 400 facility expansions and new projects came to Georgia in FY 2024 alone. Georgia must continue to invest in infrastructure, workforce pipelines, education, and state-wide partnerships to harness this growth and remain ‘The Best State in Which to Do Business.’
By 2050, Georgia could add as many as 2.5 million Georgians and 3.1 million jobs. However, in order to effectively capitalize on this growth, Georgia’s people and businesses need to be well-positioned to connect talent and industry, and to support evolving needs of growing communities.
The fastest growing population group in Georgia is individuals 65 years and older. This has implications for the succession of the workforce, and for the need to bolster support services in sectors like healthcare.
Business applications increased by over 73% and venture capital investment from business by 40% from 2018 to 2023, but rate of business realization from application remains low. Continuing to support growth resources and opportunities to entrepreneurs will further diversify and bolster the statewide economy.
The percentage of Georgia’s population living in poverty increased over the last year to 13.6%, exceeding the national average of 12.3% demonstrating the need for increased, strategic resources to support economic mobility for citizens.
61% of Georgians live in a health professional shortage area. This may negatively impact the health and abilities of Georgians who struggle to access preventative care. Additionally, it indicates a need to bolster healthcare systems that are strained due to talent shortages and retention issues.
Georgia is internationally competitive in trade and logistics, largely due to a robust network of ports, roads, and railways. In order to maintain and grow the safest and most efficient logistics network, Georgia will need to invest $84 billion by 2050.
The state consistently maintains one of the lowest tax burdens in the country and this year ranks 8th lowest, ensuring Georgia remains competitive and fosters a business-friendly environment.
Despite increasing talent needs, key indicators for early student success continue to lag. Only 38.44% of Georgia’s third grade students are at least proficient in English Language Arts, and only 43% of Georgians have an associate’s degree or higher. Improving and growing Georgia’s skilled talent base are necessary for businesses and communities to continue to grow and thrive.
Georgia businesses and business partners can actively engage in these issues by:
Investing in workforce development programs
Collaborate with educational institutions within K-12 and higher education to enhance skill-building programs, apprenticeships, and certifications tailored to your company’s and industry’s needs.
Advocate for freight and logistics funding
Express support to your legislators for increased investments in freight and logistics infrastructure to support growing demands on the state’s network.
Small Business Success
Explore opportunities to increase social capital for small business owners and entrepreneurs by serving as mentors, investing in local business incubators, and developing pipelines for partnership with larger corporations.
By actively advocating for enhanced workforce development programs, infrastructure investment, and improved healthcare accessibility, Georgia businesses and their partners can play a critical role in shaping the state’s economic future. Thriving talent pipelines, robust logistics networks, and healthy communities are essential components of a competitive business environment.
Using the 2025 Redbook allows stakeholders to align their efforts with the state’s long-term trajectory, ensuring that efforts are both targeted and effective. In a rapidly evolving landscape, access to accurate data equips Georgia businesses and decisionmakers to remain agile, competitive, and poised for success.
Through strategic vision and long-term planning, Georgia’s leaders and partners have created a solid foundation for economic success, but continued efforts are critical for growing opportunity.
For more information, read the newly released 2025 Economic Competitiveness Redbook.
The Georgia Chamber Foundation dedicates itself to producing in-depth economic analyses and actionable insights. Our mission is to develop policy, equip businesses, and foster economic development across the state, ensuring a prosperous future for all Georgians.
To read our newly released 2025 Economic Competitiveness Redbook click HERE.
To read our most recent Quarterly Report click HERE.
Join us for our 5th annual Future of Talent and Workforce Preparedness Summit on February 19th to dive into successful talent development and workforce preparedness strategies. Register now HERE.
