Georgia Economic Developers Association - GEDA

Today, especially, we pause to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and selflessness have secured the freedoms we enjoy each day. We owe our deepest gratitude to those who gave everything for our country.

Georgia’s role as a global gateway continues to grow, and so does its connectivity by land and sea.

Georgia’s logistics network continues to create advantages for companies moving products around the world, which Governor Brian Kemp, the Georgia Ports Authority, logistics leaders, exporters, and industry partners recognized at the 57th annual Georgia International Trade Conference in Savannah.

Keeping the momentum going forward:

- New findings from researchers at Georgia Tech show that using the Port of Savannah saves shippers more than $1,000 per container to Atlanta, Memphis, and Nashville compared to West Coast gateways.

- The Georgia Ports’ new Gainesville Inland Port is now linking northeast Georgia to global markets via the Port of Savannah’s 40 ships per week. Combined with Norfolk Southern trains operating daily from Savannah as well as trucking services, the $134 million investment expands on existing cost-effective options for businesses across the state.

- For the second year in a row, the Port of Brunswick maintained its position as the nation’s busiest port for automobiles in 2025.

As World Trade Month unfolds, Georgia continues building the infrastructure and partnerships that help businesses grow international sales and keep goods moving efficiently across global supply chains.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the GEDA May Luncheon as we explored “Georgia’s Preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026” and the opportunities it brings to our communities and economy. Special thanks to speaker Dietmar Exler for sharing leadership perspectives with our attendees and our event sponsor, Develop Fulton.

Georgia’s small businesses are making a big impact across the Peach State 🍑

Last week at our Spring Workshop, we joined Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Economic Development to recognize the 2026 Small Business ROCK STARS, five businesses driving innovation, opportunity, and growth in communities across Georgia.

Congratulations to:
⭐ Big Bon Bodega
⭐ Georgia Beer Company
⭐ Greenfield LLC
⭐ InnoTek LLC
⭐ Fabritex

Here’s to the entrepreneurs helping Georgia thrive every day. 👏

Join us May 18 for a GEDA luncheon as we dive into Georgia’s preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with industry leader, Dietmar Exler. This is your chance to gain insight, connect with peers, and be part of the dialogue driving what’s next!

Spots are limited, secure yours today!

Closing out an incredible few days at GEDA’s Spring Workshop! From leadership insights and cybersecurity conversations to real-world strategies for successful international site visits, Day 3 brought it all together. Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared, and made this experience so impactful. Until next time!

That’s a wrap on Day 2! We had a full agenda of leadership, strategy, and collaboration, paired with meaningful connections and a little time to unwind!

Day 1 at GEDA’s Spring Workshop set the bar high with insightful sessions, new connections, and a special visit from Governor Brian Kemp! We can't wait for you to experience what we have in store for Day 2!