Business Without Borders
Economic development often begins with relationships. Governor Brian Kemp's recent mission to Scotland and Ireland reflected Georgia's long-standing strategy of strengthening partnerships with international companies, building trust that encourages future investment, business expansion, and long-term job growth across the state.
That approach matters because many of Georgia's biggest employers didn't arrive yesterday. They've spent years building factories, hiring workers, and expanding operations across the state. Maintaining those partnerships can be just as valuable as announcing the next headline-making project.
Relationships That Pay Off
The delegation met with leaders from companies that already play a significant role in Georgia's economy, including Hyundai Motor Group, CRH, Kerry Group, Kingspan Group, Mallaghan, and Smurfit Westrock. Together, those companies touch industries that most people encounter every day, whether they're driving a vehicle assembled with Georgia-made components, living in homes built with advanced construction materials, buying packaged products, enjoying food made with ingredients produced in the state, or flying through airports that rely on specialized ground support equipment.
For businesses, these meetings are about far more than goodwill. International companies regularly decide where future production lines, research projects, and expansions will happen. Existing relationships often influence those decisions. When state leaders remain engaged, Georgia stays part of that conversation as companies evaluate where to invest next. In a competitive global economy, maintaining confidence can be every bit as important as attracting a first investment.
The trip also recognized that economic growth depends on more than private industry alone. The delegation visited Georgia Southern University's Wexford Campus, reinforcing educational and economic ties between Georgia and Ireland while creating opportunities for collaboration in workforce development, international business, and student engagement. Strong university partnerships help prepare graduates for careers with the very companies investing across the state.
Georgia has earned a reputation for treating economic development as a long-term commitment rather than a one-time transaction. That consistency has helped attract global employers, but it also encourages them to stay, expand, and continue creating opportunities in communities from metro Atlanta to coastal Georgia.
The biggest takeaway from overseas missions isn't where officials travel. It's what those relationships can mean years later when another production line opens, another supplier chooses Georgia, or another employer decides its next chapter belongs here. In today's economy, showing up is still good business.
To learn more about the global organizations in Georgia, check out https://gbj.com/community-organizations
