State Resources
Georgia Business Resources | ||||
The largest state east of the Mississippi River, Georgia was the last of the thirteen colonies to be founded and the first southern state to ratify the Constitution in 1788. In 1861 Georgia seceded from the Union to join the Confederacy. The ensuing Civil War devastated the state and setback the previously prosperous agriculture industry. Tourism is important in the state, as tourists bring in over $15 billion annually and are vital to the economies of the coastal areas, the Blue Ridge area, and Atlanta (host of the 1996 Olympic Games). The federal government has a number of facilities located in the state, including military bases and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Originally prospering as a cotton state, Georgia’s agricultural industry is still important to the economy. Major crops include cotton, peanuts, tobacco, and corn. The majority of jobs, however, are still located within the service sector. | ||||
Business Data | ||||
Per Capita Real GDP | $35,362 Rank: 26/50 (2006) | |||
Population | 8,186,450 Rank: 10/50 (2000) | |||
Per Capita Personal Income | $31,891 Rank: 38/50 (2006) | |||
Unemployment Rate | 4.90% Rank: 32/50 (2008) | |||
Business Tax Climate Index | Rank: 20/50 (2008) | |||
Corporate Tax Rate | 6% | |||
Individual Tax Rate | 1% - 6% | |||
Sales Tax Rate | 4% | |||
Business Tax Climate Index | ||||
Individual Income Tax Index Rank | 24 | |||
Sales Tax Index Rank | 16 | |||
Unemployment Insurance Tax Index Rank | 22 | |||
Property Tax Index Rank | 33 | |||
Business Tax Climate Index | 20 | |||
Corporate Tax Index Rank | 6 | |||
State Information | ||||
Abbreviation | GA | |||
Capital | Atlanta | |||
Nick Name | Peach State | |||
State Web Site | http://www.georgia.gov | |||
Motto | Wisdom, justice, and moderation | |||
Top 5 Export Partner Countries | Canada, Mexico, China, United Kingdom, Japan | |||
Top 5 Export Merchandise | Chemicals Sales Transportation Equipment Sales Transportation Equipment Manufacturing Machinery Manufacturing Chemicals Manufacturing | |||
Major Cities | Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus | |||
GDP | ||||
Total Gross Domestic Product (USD Millions) | $396,504.00 (2007) | |||
Per Capita Real GDP (USD) | $35,265.00 Rank: 26 (2007) | |||
Population Stats | ||||
Population | 9,685,744 Rank: 9 (2008) | |||
Age Distribution | ||||
Under 18 Population | 2,169,230 | |||
Under 18 Percent of Total Population | 27% | |||
65 and older Population | 785,275 | |||
65 and older Percent of Total Population | 10% | |||
Gender Distribution | ||||
Male Population | 49.2% | |||
Female Population | 50.8% | |||
Non-English Speaker (at home) | 602,738 | |||
Net International Immigration | 192,844 | |||
Birth Rate | 15.7% | |||
Percent of People Under Poverty Level | 14.4% | |||
Rank | 13 | |||
Expenditure | ||||
Per Capita State Spending | $38,679 | |||
Rank | 47 | |||
Energy Expenditures per Person | $3,697 | |||
Expenditures of State and Local Government Employee-Retirement Systems | $3,093,053 | |||
Revenue | ||||
Personal Income | $30,100 | |||
Rank | 38 | |||
State Internal Revenue Collection | $75,217,980 | |||
Rank | 9 | |||
Cash and Deposits by State Government | $1,307,230 | |||
Per Capita State Tax Collection | $1,846 | |||
Rank | 43 | |||
Education | ||||
High School Graduation Rate | 55.9% | |||
Rank | 48 | |||
Percent of Population with a Bachelor's Degree | 17.3% | |||
Rank | 23 | |||
Percent of Population with an Advanced Degree | 9.3% | |||
Rank | 22 | |||
Largest Universities | Georgia State University University of Georgia Kennesaw State University | |||
High School Graduation Rate | 55.9% | |||
Logistics | ||||
Public Road Length (Mile) | 118,199 | |||
Gas Tax Rate (%) | 7.5% | |||
Highway Planning and Construction (USD Thousands) | 1,156,480 | |||
Number of Public Airports | 109 | |||
Main Airports | ABY: Albany ATL: Atlanta | |||
Ports | Brunswick, Savannah | |||
Weather | MapView Larger Map | |||
State Business Links | ||||
Atlanta Journal | ||||
http://www.ajc.com | ||||
Secretary of State | ||||
Small Business Administration | ||||
Georgia Small Business Administration | ||||
http://www.sba.gov/localresources/district/ga/aboutus/index.html | ||||
The District Office is responsible for the delivery of SBA's programs and services throughout Georgia. The District Director is Terri L. Denison. The Georgia District Office is located in downtown Atlanta at 233 Peachtree St. NE, Suite 1900-Harris Tower, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. The District Office is located in the Peachtree Center office complex and adjacent to the MARTA Peachtree Center Station. Office hours are from 8:30 AM until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday | ||||
Top 10 Business Links | ||||
Biz Georgia Business Directory and News | ||||
http://www.bizgeorgia.com/ | ||||
Along with a business directory arranged by industry, this site features news articles related to small business in Georgia. It also lists various business training events. | ||||
Georgia Department of Labor | ||||
http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pr/current_data.htm | ||||
This site provides data on a number of different employment related statistics for Georgia. Area unemployment rates and labor force estimates are just a couple examples. | ||||
Georgia Department of Natural Resources | ||||
http://www.gadnr.org/ | ||||
This site contains information on the different kinds of natural resources available, the laws and legislation involved in their use, and various other related programs. | ||||
Georgia Information | ||||
http://www.georgia.org/ | ||||
This site provides a wealth of information on many Georgia topics. The business section in particular is very useful, with extensive information and resources on incentives related to locating your business in Georgia (climate, taxation, logistics, etc.), workforce, education, innovation, industries, international business, and small business. | ||||
Georgia Secretary of State - Corporations Division | ||||
http://www.sos.ga.gov/Corporations/ | ||||
The different kinds of paperwork and procedures involved in forming and maintaining a corporation are maintained within or provided by this site. There is also information on the different kinds of corporations in Georgia and other various topics, such as Georgia law, uniform commercial code, or trademarks. | ||||
Georgia Small Business Development Center Network | ||||
http://www.sbdc.uga.edu/newsite/index.aspx?page_name=index | ||||
This resource, supported by the University of Georgia and other state universities, provides business consulting to prospective and current small business owners. Some consulting is free of charge, while there is a nominal fee for other services. Consulting is on a number of subjects, including international trade, economic development, starting a business, business development, and more. Training and other classes are also offered. | ||||
Georgia Tech CIBER | ||||
http://www.ciber.gatech.edu/ | ||||
The Center for International Business Education and Research has as its goal helping U.S. businesses to compete globally. This site provides different international business research in its working papers and research projects sections. The center also organizes events relating to international business. | ||||
Georgia Women's Business Council | ||||
http://www.gwbc.biz/ | ||||
This site offers support for women in business, providing many educational workshops for members along with other benefits as listed in the section on certification. | ||||
North Georgia Local Business News | ||||
http://www.accessnorthga.com/s8-business-news.php | ||||
This site provides business news for northern Georgia. Other general state news is also available. |