Gov. Nathan Deal announced today that jobs and corporate investment generated by the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) increased in Georgia during the state’s 2011 fiscal year. GDEcD-assisted companies invested $4.39 billion in communities throughout the state, an increase of 17 percent, and created 22,022 jobs, an increase of 12 percent. The state’s fiscal year ended June 30, 2011.

“The increase in jobs and investment brings greater opportunities and a higher quality of life to Georgians,” said Gov. Deal. “Our successes stem from our commitment to a competitive business environment, and we’re going to keep working hard toward a full economic recovery in Georgia.”

The announcement of the state’s increase in corporate activity coincides with the release of a national survey ranking Georgia No. 2 in the U.S. as a site selection location of choice. The survey of site selection consultants by Area Development magazine, a leading economic development trade publication, also ranks the state No. 1 for workforce as a factor in consultants’ decisions, No. 2 for infrastructure, and tied for No. 4 for economic recovery. In individual categories, the state ranked No. 1 for both labor availability and workforce development programs. Georgia is ranked among the top five states in the country in 10 ofthe publication’s 12 categories.

“We’re very gratified by this recognition,” said GDEcD Commissioner Chris Cummiskey. “CEOs and other company decision-makers tell us over and over again that our business assets, like our workforce and Georgia Quick Start, are head and shoulders above those of other states, and the hard results of our last fiscal year bear that out.”

“This is great news once again for Georgia, especially coming so soon after being announced a winner of our prestigious Silver Shovel’ award for jobs creation and investment,” said Area Development Editor Gerri Gambale. “With the announcement of this ‘Top States’ survey, siteprospects worldwide will know what this influential group of leading location consultants are thinking, what locations they are considering for their next expansion and relocation projects and what states they see as future investment potential. This now creates a win-win situation for Georgia.”

GDEcD’s Global Commerce Division increased the number of projects it landed in FY11 to 360, up from 338. As usual, expansions of existing Georgia companies accounted for around two-thirds (230) of that number, creating 69 percent of the total jobs number and 74 percent of total investment. New company locations made up 36 percent of total projects in FY11.

Fifty-nine percent of projects were landed outside Georgia’s major metro areas of Atlanta, Macon, Savannah, Augusta and Columbus, and accounted for 55 percent of the total jobs. International companies assisted by GDEcD’s project managers made 46 investments, creating more than 1,500 jobs and $379 million in investment.

With GDEcD’s help, companies located or expanded throughout the state in FY11. The company announcing the most jobs was Gulfstream Aerospace, for its 1,000-job expansion in Chatham County. Toyo Tire North America generated the most investment – $910 million – with its Bartow County expansion. Other high-return investments were a 450-job expansion by FedEx Ground in Gwinnett County, a 400-job location by Systemax in Jackson County, a $200-million investment by First Quality Baby Products in Bibb County, and a 250-job expansion by Triumph Aerostructures (formerly Vought) in Baldwin County.

“We would not have these kinds of successes without the dedication of our project managers and our many public and private partners,” said Gretchen Corbin, Deputy Commissioner for Global Commerce at GDEcD. “Their hard work helps companies understand how our business assets make Georgia the best choice for their future growth.”