Georgia Department of Economic Development
Encyclopedia
The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is a department of the State of Georgia
(United States). It serves as the state's sales and marketing arm and the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.
appointed the first five-member board under the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated sections 50-7-1 through 50-7-41. George C. Gaines served as the first commissioner.
The current Commissioner is Chris Cummiskey who was appointed to his post by Governor Nathan Deal
, assuming this role on January 2011. Commissioner Cummiskey brings to the agency a wealth of knowledge and intergovernmental relationships developed during his more recent roles as a senior director for Senator Johnny Isakson
, former Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson
, and the University of Georgia
. As State Director for Sen. Isakson, he was the point of contact for all matters relating to Georgia’s economic development-related projects. Commissioner Cummiskey’s most recent role as Director of State Relations for the University of Georgia also entailed an intimate knowledge of economic development in Georgia.
In July 2011 three institutions were moved under GDEcD’s operational umbrella: the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia Research Alliance and the Georgia Cancer Coalition.
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) was established in 1965 as the Georgia Commission on the Arts with a mission to encourage excellence in the arts, support the arts and make the arts available to all Georgians by providing funding, leadership, programming and other services. Funding for the GCA is provided by appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly, the National Endowment for the Arts and other private and public sources.
The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), a nonprofit corporation founded in 1990, is a public/private partnership of the state’s research universities, leading corporations and state government. The GRA is enlarging the scope of its economic development role, utilizing the state’s university resources for the business community in order to grow jobs and investment in the state. GRA will work in coordination with GDEcD to integrate the Georgia Centers of Innovation (COI) program with its existing programs. The Georgia Cancer Coalition will also become a part of the Georgia Research Alliance, in order to strengthen connections with university cancer programs and ultimately make Georgia one of the nation’s top states for cancer care.
GDEcD operates 10 offices internationally in Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Israel and the United Kingdom.
The COI program is composed of six centers: agribusiness, aerospace, energy, life sciences, logistics and manufacturing. Located in Atlanta, Augusta, Gainesville, Savannah, Tifton and Eastman, each center provides statewide strategic industry expertise by being a complete source of information.
Tangible services include access to university-level research and development, product commercialization, industry-specific business counsel, matching research grants for qualified companies, networking opportunities and connecting clients to potential investor networks.
The state’s tourism industry employs more than 234,100 people creating a total economic impact of more than $32 billion annually.
Statewide resources and infrastructure information along with an extensive location library provide every 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.
In FY2009, a $590 million total investment was placed into the Georgia entertainment industry creating a $1.1 billion economic impact, a 400% increase over the previous fiscal year.
Throughout the years, the Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Division has helped secure Georgia as the location of choice for over 700 film and television productions.
Some of the most notable films shot in Georgia include:
The vampire diaries
The current estimated economic impact of the music industry in Georgia is approaching $2 billion dollars annually. The industry is responsible for creating 9,500 jobs and generating $54.3 million in tax revenues.
GDEcD is responsible for development of the Georgia Music Production Sourcebook, an annual guide providing a state directory of music resources.
Major recording artists and producers with Georgia ties:
Currently, more than 60 video game businesses operate in the state. Georgia’s video game workforce is estimated at over 1,600 workers, and 15 of the state’s colleges and universities offer video game development courses or curriculums, including some graduate degree programs.
Among the projects that GDEcD has assisted:
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
(United States). It serves as the state's sales and marketing arm and the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.
History
Originally named the Georgia Department of Commerce, the agency was established by law in 1949. Governor Herman TalmadgeHerman Talmadge
Herman Eugene Talmadge was an American politician from the U.S. state of Georgia. He served as governor of Georgia briefly in 1947 and again from 1948 to 1955. His term was marked by his segregationist policies. After leaving office Talmadge was elected to the U.S...
appointed the first five-member board under the Official Code of Georgia
Official Code of Georgia
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated or OCGA is the compendium of all laws in the U.S. state of Georgia. Like other U.S. state codes, its legal interpretation is subject to the United States Constitution, the United States Code, the Code of Federal Regulations, and the state's...
Annotated sections 50-7-1 through 50-7-41. George C. Gaines served as the first commissioner.
Leadership
As chief marketing officer for the state of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner leads efforts to recruit new businesses and expand existing ones; grow the state’s tourism, international trade and entertainment industries; and support the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs.The current Commissioner is Chris Cummiskey who was appointed to his post by Governor Nathan Deal
Nathan Deal
John Nathan Deal is a United States politician, the 82nd and current Governor of Georgia. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1992 but switched to the Republican Party in 1995...
, assuming this role on January 2011. Commissioner Cummiskey brings to the agency a wealth of knowledge and intergovernmental relationships developed during his more recent roles as a senior director for Senator Johnny Isakson
Johnny Isakson
John Hardy "Johnny" Isakson is the junior United States Senator from Georgia and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, he represented in the House....
, former Georgia House Speaker Glenn Richardson
Glenn Richardson
Glenn Richardson is the former Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Following a suicide attempt, he announced in 2009 that he would resign as Speaker effective Jan. 1, 2010, and he resigned as a member of the House on Jan...
, and the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
. As State Director for Sen. Isakson, he was the point of contact for all matters relating to Georgia’s economic development-related projects. Commissioner Cummiskey’s most recent role as Director of State Relations for the University of Georgia also entailed an intimate knowledge of economic development in Georgia.
Key Services
- Encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses
- Developing new domestic and international markets
- Recruiting new business to locate in the state
- Attracting tourists to Georgia
- Promoting the state as a location for film, video, music and digital entertainment projects
- Planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development
Agency Organization
The Georgia Department of Economic Development is divided into three distinct divisions: Global Commerce; Tourism; and Film, Music & Digital Entertainment. Together, the three divisions helped bring more than 19,600 jobs to Georgia in fiscal year 2010 (FY2010).In July 2011 three institutions were moved under GDEcD’s operational umbrella: the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Georgia Research Alliance and the Georgia Cancer Coalition.
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) was established in 1965 as the Georgia Commission on the Arts with a mission to encourage excellence in the arts, support the arts and make the arts available to all Georgians by providing funding, leadership, programming and other services. Funding for the GCA is provided by appropriations from the Georgia General Assembly, the National Endowment for the Arts and other private and public sources.
The Georgia Research Alliance (GRA), a nonprofit corporation founded in 1990, is a public/private partnership of the state’s research universities, leading corporations and state government. The GRA is enlarging the scope of its economic development role, utilizing the state’s university resources for the business community in order to grow jobs and investment in the state. GRA will work in coordination with GDEcD to integrate the Georgia Centers of Innovation (COI) program with its existing programs. The Georgia Cancer Coalition will also become a part of the Georgia Research Alliance, in order to strengthen connections with university cancer programs and ultimately make Georgia one of the nation’s top states for cancer care.
Global Commerce Division
The Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division assists businesses with an interest in growing or locating in the state by coordinating a variety of services that include site location, employee training, market research and export assistance and consultation.Entrepreneur & Small Business
With 97% of all Georgia businesses classified as small businesses, GDEcD supports this sector through several approaches such as direct company relationships, resource awareness, B-2-B opportunities and local-level business development.International Business
The Georgia Department of Economic Development Global Commerce Division works closely with companies in Georgia that are looking for global markets and with international firms looking to either locate to the United States or secure American business partners.GDEcD operates 10 offices internationally in Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Germany, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Israel and the United Kingdom.
Centers of Innovation
The Centers of Innovation (COI) is a program designed to accelerate the growth of technology-based companies.The COI program is composed of six centers: agribusiness, aerospace, energy, life sciences, logistics and manufacturing. Located in Atlanta, Augusta, Gainesville, Savannah, Tifton and Eastman, each center provides statewide strategic industry expertise by being a complete source of information.
Tangible services include access to university-level research and development, product commercialization, industry-specific business counsel, matching research grants for qualified companies, networking opportunities and connecting clients to potential investor networks.
Georgia Allies
Formed in 1997 as a partnership between state government and private corporations, Georgia Allies builds on the individual initiatives of its members to create larger, more targeted programs that aggressively promote the state’s business development efforts. This unique public-private partnership allows the state to pool resources to increase economic development success in both new business recruitment and existing industry retention.Tourism Division
The Georgia Department of Economic Development Tourism Division helps individual visitors and groups discover Georgia's vacation options and helps them to plan their stay. Through its network of regional and international representatives, it also assists the state's communities and attractions in drawing potential travelers to their areas.The state’s tourism industry employs more than 234,100 people creating a total economic impact of more than $32 billion annually.
Specific Services
- Promote Georgia as a premier travel destination
- Providing of advice on research, public relations, group tour sales, advertising, product development and other tourism industry related topics
- Development of the state's consumer tourism website, www.ExploreGeorgia.org
- Responsible for the state’s official Travel Guide, Georgia Golf Guide, Calendar of Events, Kids Guide and African American Heritage Guide
- Operation of international offices, building relationships with outbound tour operators, generating media coverage and producing international travel guides
- Promotion of tourism assets to the 13 million annual visitors traveling through the state’s 11 Visitor Information Centers
Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Division
Formed in 1973, the Georgia Film, Music and Digital Entertainment Office develops and promotes the state's feature film, television, commercial, music video, recorded music and digital media industries.Statewide resources and infrastructure information along with an extensive location library provide every 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.
In FY2009, a $590 million total investment was placed into the Georgia entertainment industry creating a $1.1 billion economic impact, a 400% increase over the previous fiscal year.
Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act
On May 12, 2008, Governor Sonny Perdue signed into law the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act, increasing the state tax credit for qualified production and post-production expenditures by as much as 30%. It is available to both traditional motion picture projects such as feature films, television series, commercials and music videos, as well as new industries such as game development and animation.Film and television
During FY2009, GDEcD led more than 100 feature films and television series, movies, specials, pilots and episodes produced in Georgia, ranking the state number one in the Southeast and among the top five states in the nation for film and TV productions.Throughout the years, the Film, Music & Digital Entertainment Division has helped secure Georgia as the location of choice for over 700 film and television productions.
Some of the most notable films shot in Georgia include:
- The Blind SideThe Blind Side (film)The Blind Side is a 2009 American semi-biographical drama film. It is written and directed by John Lee Hancock, and based on the 2006 book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. The storyline features Michael Oher, an offensive lineman who plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL...
- DeliveranceDeliveranceDeliverance is a 1972 American thriller film produced and directed by John Boorman. Principal cast members include Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ronny Cox and Ned Beatty in his film debut. The film is based on a 1970 novel of the same name by American author James Dickey, who has a small role in the...
- Driving Miss DaisyDriving Miss DaisyDriving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy-drama film adapted from the Alfred Uhry play of the same name. The film was directed by Bruce Beresford, with Morgan Freeman reprising his role as Hoke Colburn and Jessica Tandy playing Miss Daisy...
- Forrest GumpForrest GumpForrest Gump is a 1994 American epic comedy-drama romance film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film was directed by Robert Zemeckis, starring Tom Hanks, Robin Wright and Gary Sinise...
- Fried Green TomatoesFried Green Tomatoes (film)Fried Green Tomatoes is a 1991 comedy-drama film based on the novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg. It was released in the UK under the novel's full title. Directed by Jon Avnet and written by Fannie Flagg and Carol Sobieski, it stars Kathy Bates, Jessica Tandy,...
- My Cousin VinnyMy Cousin VinnyMy Cousin Vinny is a 1992 American comedy film written and produced by Dale Launer, directed by Jonathan Lynn and starring Joe Pesci, Ralph Macchio, Marisa Tomei, Mitchell Whitfield, Lane Smith, Bruce McGill and Fred Gwynne...
- RootsRoots (TV miniseries)Roots is a 1977 American television miniseries based on Alex Haley's fictional novel Roots: The Saga of an American Family. Roots received 36 Emmy Award nominations, winning nine. It also won a Golden Globe and a Peabody Award. It received unprecedented Nielsen ratings with the finale still...
- Smokey and the BanditSmokey and the BanditSmokey and the Bandit is a 1977 American film starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Pat McCormick, Paul Williams, and Mike Henry. It inspired several other trucking films, including two sequels, Smokey and the Bandit II, and Smokey and the Bandit Part 3...
- ZombielandZombielandZombieland is a 2009 American zombie comedy film directed by Ruben Fleischer from a screenplay written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. The film stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin as survivors of a zombie apocalypse...
- Get LowGet Low (film)Get Low is a 2009 drama film directed by Aaron Schneider, written by Chris Provenzano and C. Gaby Mitchell, and starring Robert Duvall, Bill Murray, Sissy Spacek, Lucas Black, Gerald McRaney, Bill Cobbs, Lori Beth Edgeman, Andrea Powell, Rebecca Grant, Scott Cooper, and Chandler Riggs...
- We Are MarshallWe Are MarshallWe Are Marshall is a 2006 American drama film directed by Joseph McGinty Nichol about the aftermath of the 1970 plane crash that killed 37 football players on the Marshall University Thundering Herd football team as well as five coaches, two athletic trainers, the athletic director, 25 boosters and...
- Sweet Home Alabama
- The Fighting TemptationsThe Fighting TemptationsThe Fighting Temptations is a 2003 American musical dramedy film produced by Paramount Pictures and MTV Films. It stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. as the film's protagonist as he attempts to revive a church choir in order to enter a gospel competition with the help of a beautiful lounge singer with whom he...
- Beauty ShopBeauty ShopBeauty Shop is a 2005 American comedy film, directed by Bille Woodruff. The film is a spin-off of the Barbershop film franchise, and stars Queen Latifah as Gina, a character which was first introduced in the 2004 film Barbershop 2: Back in Business...
- Dumb & Dumberer
- We Were SoldiersWe Were SoldiersWe Were Soldiers is a 2002 American war film that dramatizes the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965. The film was directed by Randall Wallace and stars Mel Gibson. It is based on the book We Were Soldiers Once… And Young by Lieutenant General Hal Moore and reporter Joseph L...
- Road Trip
- The General's Daughter (film)
The vampire diaries
- Scream 2Scream 2Scream 2 is a 1997 American slasher film created and written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Wes Craven, starring Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Jamie Kennedy and Liev Schreiber, released on December 12, 1997 as the second installment in the Scream film series...
- Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil
- Not Without My DaughterNot Without My DaughterNot Without My Daughter is a film released in 1991 depicting the escape of American citizen Betty Mahmoody and her daughter from her husband in Iran. The film was shot in the United States and Israel, and the main characters are played by Sally Field and Alfred Molina...
- Glory
- The Big ChillThe Big Chill (film)The Big Chill is a 1983 American comedy-drama film directed by Lawrence Kasdan, starring Tom Berenger, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, William Hurt, Kevin Kline, Mary Kay Place, Meg Tilly, and JoBeth Williams. It is about a group of baby boomer college friends who reunite briefly after 15 years due to...
- The Longest YardThe Longest YardThe Longest Yard is a 1974 American comedy sports-drama film about inmates at a prison who play American football against their guards. Burt Reynolds portrayed Paul "Wrecking" Crewe in the original, and the coach Nate Scarborough in the 2005 remake...
Music
The GDEcD Film, Music & Entertainment Division oversees statewide efforts in Georgia' music industry. In the past 20 years, with the division's guidance, Georgia has experienced unprecedented growth in the number of music recording establishments, record labels and other professional services connected with the commercial music industry.The current estimated economic impact of the music industry in Georgia is approaching $2 billion dollars annually. The industry is responsible for creating 9,500 jobs and generating $54.3 million in tax revenues.
GDEcD is responsible for development of the Georgia Music Production Sourcebook, an annual guide providing a state directory of music resources.
Major recording artists and producers with Georgia ties:
- Alan JacksonAlan JacksonAlan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
- Allman Brothers
- B-52s
- Elton JohnElton JohnSir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
- James BrownJames BrownJames Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
- Otis ReddingOtis ReddingOtis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B...
- Ray CharlesRay CharlesRay Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
- R.E.M.R.E.M.R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
- Zac Brown BandZac Brown BandZac Brown Band is an American country music, southern rock, and folk band based in Atlanta, Georgia. The lineup consists of Zac Brown , Jimmy De Martini , John Driskell Hopkins , Coy Bowles , Chris Fryar and Clay Cook...
- Indigo GirlsIndigo GirlsThe Indigo Girls are an American folk rock music duo, consisting of Amy Ray and Emily Saliers. They met in elementary school and began performing together as high school students in Decatur, Georgia, part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
- LudacrisLudacrisChristopher Brian Bridges , better known by his stage name Ludacris, is an American rapper and actor. Along with his manager, Chaka Zulu, Ludacris is the co-founder of Disturbing tha Peace, an imprint distributed by Def Jam Recordings...
- Lady AntebellumLady AntebellumLady Antebellum is an American country pop music group formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2006. The trio is composed of Charles Kelley , Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott .The group made its debut in 2007 as guest vocalists on Jim Brickman's single "Never Alone", before signing to Capitol...
- Sugarland
- CiaraCiaraCiara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
- T-PainT-PainFaheem Rasheed Najm , better known by his stage name T-Pain, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and actor, currently signed to Young Money Entertainment. His debut album, Rappa Ternt Sanga, was released in 2005. In 2007, T-Pain released his second studio album Epiphany,...
- India Arie
- Young JeezyYoung JeezyJay Wayne Jenkins , better known by his stage name Young Jeezy, is an American rapper. He is the member of the hip hop group United Streets Dopeboyz of America and a former member of BMF...
- Ne-YoNe-YoShaffer Chimere Smith, Jr. , better known by his stage name Ne-Yo, is an American pop and R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, dancer and actor. Beginning his career as a songwriter, Ne-Yo penned the hit "Let Me Love You" for singer Mario...
- T.I.T.I.Clifford Joseph Harris, Jr. , better known by his stage name T.I., is an American rap artist, film and music producer, actor and author. He is also the founder and co-chief executive officer of Grand Hustle Records....
- AkonAkonAliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
- Jermaine DupriJermaine DupriJermaine Dupri Mauldin , known as Jermaine Dupri or JD, is an American record producer, songwriter and rapper.- Early life and career :...
- Jessye NormanJessye NormanJessye Norman is an American opera singer. Norman is a well-known contemporary opera singer and recitalist, and is one of the highest paid performers in classical music...
- Toni BraxtonToni BraxtonToni Michelle Braxton is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Braxton has won six Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and five Billboard Music Awards and has sold over 60 million records worldwide...
- Bow Wow
- Collective SoulCollective SoulCollective Soul is an American rock band originally formed in Stockbridge, Georgia. Collective Soul broke into mainstream popularity with their first hit single, "Shine", which came from their debut album Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid, released in 1993...
Digital Entertainment
The Music & Entertainment Digital Entertainment branch houses emerging media industries such as game development, animation and interactive entertainment.Currently, more than 60 video game businesses operate in the state. Georgia’s video game workforce is estimated at over 1,600 workers, and 15 of the state’s colleges and universities offer video game development courses or curriculums, including some graduate degree programs.
Among the projects that GDEcD has assisted:
- CCP, a video game company based in Iceland, which expanded its Stone Mountain operations and announced plans to hire 200 additional workers beginning in 2010.
- Electronic Arts, the nation’s largest video game publisher, which operates an R&D lab in Savannah and has recently launched EA-Atlanta to provide a back-end digital distribution portal
- French video game company Metaboli, which purchased Turner Studios’ GameTap franchise and set up in Atlanta