Georgia County Government - July 2008 - (Page 23)

Feature GDEcD Reports Georgia Is Bolstering International Marketing Efforts Outreach through International Missions, Conferences and Investment Encourages Businesses to Invest in America I n observation of National Invest in America Week, Georgia stepped up its efforts marketing the state to global business with a new international business center in China, a new alliance with Canadian provinces and a successful string of international business missions. “We truly are in a global marketplace, and as a state, Georgia is continuing to reach out to market our opportunities abroad,” said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). “I commend the team at Invest in America for supporting our efforts to attract international trade and investment to our state and the U.S. as a whole.” As the inaugural Invest in America week concluded, state leaders recognized how crucial international relationships are to helping Georgia grow. A part of the federal International Trade Administration, Invest in America helps promote trade and investment, strengthens industry competitiveness and ensures fair trade. Georgia’s staff at home and abroad has been successful in developing more leads for international trade and investment. Its 11 international offices generated 40 percent more leads between July 2007 and April 2008 than the same period a year before, and its international trade division saw a 104 percent jump in leads during that period. GDEcD is redoubling its international marketing efforts. Governor Sonny Perdue wrapped up a successful mission to China. During the trip, Governor Perdue opened the state’s new business center in Beijing, made business calls and welcomed a Chinese high-tech company to Atlanta. During the same week, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle was in Brazil, calling on businesses and forging important relationships with a key trading partner. The previous week, Commissioner Stewart traveled to Europe to call on businesses. In June, Savannah hosted the inaugural Southeastern United StatesCanadian Provinces Alliance (SEUSCanada) meeting, which drew some 500 participants from various business sectors, chambers of commerce and government, including state governors, provincial premiers and ambassadors. The alliance is modeled on SEUS-Japan, a successful, decades-long partnership among eight Southeastern states and Japan. Also, according to GDEcD, in August Atlanta will again host the Americas Competitiveness Forum on workforce development, innovation, small business development and global supply-chain strategies. More than 1,000 representatives from government, academia, nonprofits and the business world converged on Atlanta for the inaugural ACF in 2007, and this year’s session will continue to promote strategies for prosperity in the Western hemisphere. GDEcD won special recognition for its exporting efforts last year when President George W. Bush gave the department the prestigious E-Star award, the federal government’s highest award for excellence in exporting. The state is also wrapping up its first year of four years for the Global Georgia initiative, which markets Georgia abroad. Invest in America is the primary U.S. government mechanism to manage foreign direct investment promotion. Efforts are focused on outreach to foreign governments and investors, support for state governments’ investment promotion efforts, and addressing business climate concerns by serving as ombudsman in Washington for the international investment community. ■ GROUND ENGINEERING AND ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES www.golder.com “We truly are in a global marketplace, and as a state, Georgia is continuing to reach out to market our opportunities abroad.” – Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) •Water Resources •Mining •Manufacturing •Transportation •Waste Management •Power •Land Development •Oil & Gas 3730 Chamblee Tucker Road Atlanta, Georgia 30341 p 770.496.1893 f 770.934.9476 hmock@golder.com JULY 2008 www.accg.org 23 http://www.accg.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Georgia County Government - June 2008

Georgia County Government - June 2008 Contents President’s Message County Matters Laurens, Treutlen and Wheeler Counties Work Together to Leverage Economic Development 2008 Hurricane Season Forecast to be Active GDEcD: Georgia Is Bolstering International Marketing Efforts U.S. Communities Announces Auto Parts Service Contract Energy Innovation Center Opens in Warner Robins Coweta County Uses Innovative Road Construction Techniques Counties & The Law: An Analysis of Ten Commandments Displays in Georgia Courthouses Georgia’s Grand Old Courthouses: Talbot County Extension News: Youth Summit Teaches Civic Engagement Research Corner: Train Me! NACo News: NACo Seeks Obesity Prevention Programs County Parade Index of Advertisers

Georgia County Government - June 2008

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