Georgia Department of Economic Development: How It Supports Business and Meetings in Atlanta

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state’s lead agency for attracting business, supporting small and large employers, and growing Georgia’s economy. If you live in Atlanta, do business here, or are planning a meeting or convention in the city, GDEcD is one of the most important agencies working behind the scenes to support you.

This guide explains what GDEcD does, how it connects to incentive programs and chambers of commerce, and how Atlanta-based businesses, entrepreneurs, and meeting planners can use its resources.

Where the Georgia Department of Economic Development Fits Into Atlanta’s Business Ecosystem

Atlanta has a layered business-support network:

• City level: City of Atlanta departments, Invest Atlanta, and neighborhood business associations
• Regional level: Metro Atlanta Chamber and county development authorities
• State level:Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD)

GDEcD focuses on the statewide picture, but because Atlanta is Georgia’s largest metro area, many of its programs, incentives, and recruitment efforts are concentrated here.

If you are:

• Starting or growing a business in Atlanta
• Relocating or expanding a company into the Atlanta metro area
• Planning a convention, trade show, or major meeting in Atlanta

…you are likely to interact with GDEcD directly or indirectly through local partners such as Invest Atlanta, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, or the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB).

Key Roles of the Georgia Department of Economic Development in Atlanta

GDEcD supports Atlanta’s economy in several major ways:

1. Business Recruitment and Expansion

The agency works to attract new companies to Georgia and to help existing employers expand. For Atlanta, that often means:

• Coordinating with Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, and Gwinnett officials on project sites
• Helping companies compare Atlanta neighborhoods and suburban locations
• Evaluating state incentives alongside local packages from Invest Atlanta or county development authorities

This is especially important for:

• Corporate headquarters and regional offices
• Logistics and distribution centers using Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport and local interstates
• Technology and fintech firms drawn to Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead
• Film, television, and digital media centered heavily in metro Atlanta

2. Incentive Programs and Tax Credits

One of the strongest tools GDEcD manages is a portfolio of state incentive programs that can make it more affordable to operate or expand in Atlanta.

Common examples include:

• Job creation tax credits for companies that add qualifying jobs in Georgia
• Investment tax credits for certain types of capital investment
• Training incentives linked to Georgia’s workforce development system
• Film, TV, and digital entertainment tax credits, which heavily benefit Atlanta’s production ecosystem

These incentives are typically performance-based, meaning businesses must meet job, wage, or investment targets. Atlanta-area businesses often work with both GDEcD and local partners to structure a combined incentive package.

3. International Trade and Investment

GDEcD maintains international offices and leads trade and investment efforts that directly affect Atlanta:

• Helping Atlanta-based exporters connect with global markets
• Encouraging foreign-owned companies to open U.S. headquarters or offices in Atlanta
• Supporting trade missions and international delegations that often visit the city

If you operate out of Atlanta and want to expand internationally, you can often get assistance through GDEcD’s trade division, including market guidance and introductions to resources.

4. Tourism, Film, and Creative Industries

While tourism marketing is often associated with local groups like ACVB, GDEcD’s tourism and film divisions play a major statewide role that strongly benefits Atlanta:

• Promoting Atlanta as a tourism destination within the broader “Georgia” brand
• Supporting film and TV productions that choose Atlanta as a filming or post-production hub
• Working with local partners to highlight meeting and convention options in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and near the airport

If you are planning a large meeting, convention, or event in Atlanta, GDEcD’s tourism and film teams may assist with:

• State-level support materials
• Coordination with regional and local partners
• Guidance on production or event-related incentives (where applicable)

How GDEcD Coordinates With Atlanta’s Chambers and Business Organizations

The Georgia Department of Economic Development does not replace local chambers of commerce. Instead, it works alongside them.

Key Atlanta partners often include:

• Metro Atlanta Chamber – Regional advocacy, business attraction, and industry leadership
• Atlanta Chamber-style organizations and councils – Sector-specific or neighborhood-focused groups
• Local county development authorities – Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett, and others
• Invest Atlanta – The City of Atlanta’s economic development authority

When You Might Contact a Chamber vs. GDEcD

In practice, many Atlanta businesses start with a local chamber or Invest Atlanta, and are then introduced to GDEcD for state-level incentives or trade support.

Incentive Programs Relevant to Atlanta Businesses

While program details can change, several core categories of incentives regularly affect Atlanta-area companies.

1. Job Creation Incentives

These are designed to reward businesses that create new full-time jobs in Georgia. For Atlanta, that can apply to:

• Corporate offices moving into Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead
• Logistics operations opening around the airport or interstate corridors
• Tech firms expanding into Atlanta’s innovation districts

Atlanta-based businesses typically work with GDEcD to:

• Confirm eligibility based on industry, job count, and wages
• Understand how credits apply to state tax obligations
• Coordinate documentation and compliance requirements

2. Training and Workforce Support

Georgia is known for state-supported job training programs that help businesses find and train workers. For companies in Atlanta, this can mean:

• Customized training support for new or expanding facilities
• Coordination with technical colleges and workforce boards in the metro area
• Assistance in designing onboarding and skills-upgrade programs

These programs often appeal to advanced manufacturing, logistics, and technology employers choosing the Atlanta area.

3. Film, Television, and Digital Media Incentives

Atlanta is a major production hub, and GDEcD’s film division manages statewide incentives that have helped build that reputation.

If your work touches the film or entertainment industry in Atlanta, GDEcD can help you:

• Understand eligibility thresholds for productions
• Learn how productions qualify for tax credits
• Connect with local contacts for locations, stages, and crew resources

4. Tourism and Meeting Support

For those planning conventions, trade shows, or large meetings in Atlanta, GDEcD’s tourism arm may not be your day-to-day planner—that’s usually ACVB—but it can:

• Provide state-level promotional support language and branding
• Highlight Atlanta as part of a broader Georgia meeting strategy
• Assist if your event ties into state initiatives, such as industry focus or international partnerships

Using GDEcD Resources if You Live or Work in Atlanta

If you are based in Atlanta, there are several practical ways to tap into GDEcD’s programs and information.

For Small and Medium-Sized Businesses

You may want to explore GDEcD if you:

• Are considering expansion that will add significant jobs in Atlanta
• Plan to begin exporting or scale up your international sales
• Need to understand whether state incentives could support a major facility upgrade

Many smaller Atlanta businesses find it helpful to:

1. Start with Invest Atlanta or a local chamber for initial guidance.
2. Request an introduction to GDEcD if your project appears scalable or jobs-focused.
3. Use GDEcD resources to understand state rules, timelines, and necessary documentation.

For Large Employers and Corporate Projects

Larger companies that are comparing multiple states or cities often:

• Contact GDEcD directly to discuss project parameters, site needs, and incentives.
• Tour Atlanta metro sites with combined state and local teams.
• Work with GDEcD on confidential project evaluation before making public announcements.

In those cases, GDEcD typically coordinates closely with:

• Metro Atlanta Chamber
• Invest Atlanta (for projects inside the city)
• County development authorities for suburban sites

For Meeting and Event Planners

If you are organizing a meeting, convention, or event in Atlanta:

• First stop: the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB) for venue options, hotel blocks, and local services.
• Next: If your event has a strong business, industry, tourism, or international trade angle, you may ask ACVB or your local contact whether GDEcD involvement makes sense.

GDEcD can sometimes:

• Provide Georgia-focused messaging that reinforces your event’s location choice
• Coordinate with industry contacts and statewide partners who may have a presence in Atlanta
• Support international or business recruitment-related events that align with state priorities

Key Atlanta-Area Contact Points and How They Connect to GDEcD

While GDEcD is a state agency headquartered in Atlanta, you will often engage through related local organizations. Having a clear path can make your outreach more efficient.

Georgia Department of Economic Development – Atlanta Headquarters

The main state-level office is located in downtown Atlanta in the government complex area. From this hub, GDEcD’s leadership and many of its divisions operate and coordinate with local and regional partners across Georgia.

If you need statewide program information, incentive details, or international trade support, this is the primary point of reference—whether you reach it directly or through another local organization.

Complementary Atlanta Organizations

• Invest Atlanta

  • Focus: Economic development within the City of Atlanta
  • Common uses: Local incentives, small business support, site selection within the city, neighborhood revitalization projects
  • Often coordinates with GDEcD when a project includes state-level incentives or has statewide significance.

• Metro Atlanta Chamber

  • Focus: Regional business attraction, advocacy, and industry development across the Atlanta metro area
  • Common uses: Market data, regional site comparisons, introductions to industry networks
  • Frequently works hand-in-hand with GDEcD on large corporate recruitment and expansion projects.

• Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB)

  • Focus: Tourism, meetings, and conventions in the City of Atlanta
  • Common uses: Planning conferences, booking hotels, identifying venues in Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, and near the airport
  • Coordinates with GDEcD on state-branded tourism and convention initiatives and major events that elevate Georgia’s visibility.

If you contact any of these organizations about a project that could benefit from state programs, they can typically loop in GDEcD on your behalf.

How Visitors and Newcomers Feel the Impact of GDEcD in Atlanta

Even if you never directly contact the agency, you may still experience its work while in Atlanta:

• The conventions at Georgia World Congress Center and other major venues often reflect joint efforts by ACVB, GDEcD, and regional partners.
• The film and TV productions you see around the city are commonly supported by state-level incentives managed by GDEcD.
• The presence of major corporate offices, innovation centers, and international companies in Atlanta has been shaped, in part, by GDEcD’s recruitment and expansion efforts.

For residents, this can translate into:

• More diverse job opportunities across industries
• A stronger tourism and hospitality sector
• A broader base of international connections and investment in the city

When It Makes Sense to Reach Out About GDEcD Programs

As an Atlanta-based professional, entrepreneur, or planner, consider GDEcD involvement when:

• You are planning a business expansion that will add significant jobs or investment in the Atlanta area.
• You are comparing Atlanta to other states or regions and want to understand Georgia’s incentive environment.
• Your company is preparing to enter or expand in international markets from an Atlanta base.
• You are working on a large meeting, convention, or film-related project that ties into statewide economic development goals.

In many cases, your most efficient path is to:

1. Start with a local or regional partner in Atlanta (Invest Atlanta, Metro Atlanta Chamber, ACVB).
2. Ask specifically about state-level support from the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
3. Let those organizations help you connect to the right GDEcD division for incentives, trade, film, or tourism.

By understanding how the Georgia Department of Economic Development fits into Atlanta’s network of incentive programs and chambers, you can better navigate support options—whether you are building a business, attracting talent, or bringing people together for meetings and events in the city.