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I was delighted when Commissioner Breeden told me that he would
like to feature Georgia’s Department of Industry, Trade &
Tourism in the newsletter that is one way he communicates directly
with all of you. Personally, it has been my pleasure to know Ken
Breeden for almost 15 years; as a citizen of Georgia, it has been
extremely satisfying to see the great changes that have occurred
in Georgia’s technical education system under his leadership.
Our two agencies work together
directly and indirectly in many ways. We are constantly in meetings
and joint briefings with your Quick Start organization; we can
always count on Quick Start to impress prospects from all over
the United States, indeed, from all over the world. We rely on
the high quality of the customized training offered to businesses
throughout Georgia by the technical colleges as well as the other
programs and services – Certified Literate Community program,
for example – that help make Georgia’s communities
attractive for businesses and for families.
Our agencies have for many years
engaged in a partnership beneficial to us both in the area of
international trade – you have been with us since the beginning
of the development of our regional United States Export Assistance
Center and other trade programs and tourism outreach initiatives.
I don’t know what we would do without you.
I would like to thank each and
every one of you for all you do for Georgia. I know how much Dr.
Breeden relies on your dedication to your work and your commitment
to technical education. I, too, have learned through our partnership
how important your work is to our state. The Department of Industry,
Trade & Tourism looks forward to continuing to work together
with you for Georgia’s future.
Glenn Cornell, Commissioner |
...promotes
Georgia as a location for domestic and international businesses
by marketing the state to prospective investors; providing information
on such topics as wage data, labor availability, and taxes on
potential sites; by accompanying industry officials on tours of
communities for prospective industrial development; and by helping
support local communities in their business development programs.
The division's regional sales and marketing representatives serve
and represent the needs of existing businesses and communities
in 11 of the state's Service Delivery Regions. The division also
provides staff support to the Georgia Allies, a public-private
marketing partnership that favorably positions the state with
target industries.
•
GDITT located 125 projects in Georgia in 2002, an increase of
more than 71 percent over the previous year with a total capital
investment of $1.9 billion, an increase of more than 98 percent
over 2001.*
• 12,208 direct jobs were created in Georgia as a result
of projects located by GDITT.
• Georgia ranks 11th in total high-tech employment according
to AeA Cyberstates, an American Electronics Association report.
• Georgia is currently ranked the ninth largest life sciences
community in the United States, according to the 2001 Ernst &
Young Biotechnology Report.
• Georgia landed 12 high-tech and life sciences projects
in communities around the state.
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...promotes
the sale of Georgia products and services to customers abroad
and coordinates all facets of international trade and export in
the state. In partnership with the U.S. Export Assistance Center,
the Trade Division assists small and medium-sized businesses involved
in exporting with trade leads, market analysis, trade shows, and
identification of financial assistance options. Further international
trade assistance is provided by the division’s network of
international representatives in key markets for Georgia businesses.
The Trade Division also coordinates the operations of the department's
overseas offices and supports the Economic Development Division
in international company recruitment.
•
In 2002, GDITT’s International Trade Division generated
more than $119.8 million in export sales for Georgia companies
and created nearly 1,700 jobs for Georgians.
• GDITT generated 53 projects from its international offices.
These projects have the potential to create more than 3,000 new
jobs, $300 million in new investments and a demand for more than
2 million square feet of office and industrial space.
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...increases
the number of travelers to Georgia by providing information services
and marketing that prompts travelers to choose Georgia as a vacation
destination. Through regional tourism representatives, the division
assists local and regional tourism associations in the development
of effective tourism programs. Also, the Tourism Division is responsible
for ensuring that the state's 11 visitor information centers are
operated in a manner that encourages visitors to extend their
stays in Georgia. These centers serve over 15 million visitors
annually with travel information and assistance.
•
Tourist expenditures topped $23 billion in 2002, with $13 billion
in direct impact and $10 billion in indirect and induced impact.
• Tourism employs more than 207,000 Georgians, paying $5.8
billion in wages.
• On average, every $66,953 spent in Georgia by U.S. travelers
generated one job in 2002.
• Tourism brought $682.9 million in state tax revenue to
the state in 2002, saving every Georgia household $367 in taxes.
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...develops
and promotes the state's feature film, television, commercial,
music video and recorded music industries. Statewide resource
and infrastructure information along with an extensive location
library provide every manner of assistance for production companies
both inside and outside Georgia. The office coordinates and supports
the filming needs of companies with other state agencies and local
governments.
•
Film, commercial and music video productions in Georgia generated
$257.6 million in revenue in 2002.
• There were 22 feature films, television movies and series,
20 music videos and 300 commercials shot in the state.
• The Film, Video & Music Office assisted nearly 300
clients in an effort to bring business to Georgia. |
*All
data as of 2002
Photos
courtesy of Georgia Department
of Industry, Trade & Tourism
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