Georgia announced a second consecutive record year for economic development, with companies pledging $35.2 billion in new investment and an estimated 25,300 private-sector jobs during fiscal 2026.
The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced Sept. 3 that its Global Commerce team supported 436 expansions and new company locations from July 1, 2025, through June 30. Investment rose nearly 34% from fiscal 2025’s previous record, when 423 projects represented $26.3 billion and 23,200 expected jobs.
Existing Georgia companies drove the growth. Expansions accounted for 79% of all projects, $24.7 billion in planned investment and 15,370 projected jobs. State officials said work with current employers helped retain more than 90,000 positions.
The activity reached well beyond Atlanta. Seventy-five percent of expansions and new locations occurred outside the 10-county metro region, while metro Atlanta attracted more than $5.3 billion. Foreign companies pledged $7.8 billion and 9,350 jobs—more than double fiscal 2025 international investment—with South Korea, Italy, Belgium, Canada and France leading international job creation.
Manufacturing accounted for 67% of expected jobs. Automotive, life sciences and food processing generated 27%, while medical-device and pharmaceutical manufacturing posted their strongest job and investment figures in a decade.
Gov. Brian Kemp said the results show companies have confidence in Georgia and cited the state’s 12th consecutive No. 1 business ranking from Area Development. The survey reflects opinions from approximately 50 corporate site consultants rather than a government ranking. The figures measure announced commitments supported by the state’s economic development team, so many jobs and facilities will materialize over several years rather than immediately.
WABE noted the record is already entering the governor’s race: Republican Rick Jackson promises to build on Kemp’s recruitment and tax policies, while Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms argues Georgia should focus more directly on families’ living costs.
