Georgia Department of Economic Development

The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is a department of the State of Georgia (United States). It serves as the state's sales and marketing arm and the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.

History

Originally named the Georgia Department of Commerce, the agency was established by law in 1949. Governor Herman Talmadge appointed the first five-member board under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated sections 50-7-1 through 50-7-41. George C. Gaines served as the first commissioner.

Leadership

As chief marketing officer for the state of Georgia, the Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner leads efforts to recruit new businesses and expand existing ones; grow the state’s tourism, international trade and entertainment industries; and support the growth of small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The current Commissioner is Chris Cummiskey who was appointed to his post by Governor Nathan Deal, assuming this role on January 2011.<ref...
Read More