For manufacturers and service providers alike, the ability to innovate, work smarter and solve problems faster remains key to staying ahead of competition. Industry leaders are finding this kind of talent in Georgia.

Students and Home Depot executives donned in orange aprons lined the 6,500-square-foot room of The Home Depot Technology Center grand opening, a move that represents the company’s dedication to improving efficiency and customer experience, as well as enhance university recruitment and R&D.

The new Home Depot Technology Center will house an innovation lab with a 3D printer and will focus on hardware and software development, including home automation technologies, self-service kiosk solutions, point-of-sale devices, mobile applications and IT services.

The Home Depot Technology Center will work with a select group of Georgia Tech students to operate the Center, as well as explore partnerships with Georgia start-ups.

The Home Depot Tech Center is housed in the same building as many start-ups that have stemmed from Georgia universities and technical colleges.

Just an elevator ride away you can find the Panasonic Innovation Center, AT&T Foundry and Thyssen-Krupp Elevator Americas’ innovation facility.

In the words of Carol Tomé, executive vice president and chief financial officer at The Home Depot: Watch out Silicon Valley.

Discover how other companies are finding Georgia the No. 1 place for business.