A delegation from the Georgia Department of Economic Development recently returned from United Arab Emirates where they attended the Dubai Air Show, the world’s leading aerospace show. While in Dubai, the group, led by Governor Deal and GDEcD Commissioner Carr, met with key decision-makers, potential distributors and manufacturers in the dynamic aerospace and defense market to maintain existing and foster new business relations.

Aerospace and defense is an ever-growing and strategically important industry in Georgia. GDEcD is committed to serving the +500 companies and 219,000 employees who reap the benefits of a business climate that provides access to the latest aerospace knowledge and technologies.

Already stamping an enormous economic footprint in Georgia, last year the aerospace and defense industry collectively produced Georgia’s number one export and generated an impression of $8.25 billion. This represents 20% of total statewide exports, ranking Georgia among the top five states in terms of economic impact—from air transportation, maintenance, repair, overhaul and aerospace manufacturing.

Georgia currently hosts business units from heavy-hitters in the industry including Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Gulfstream, Northrop Grumman and Pratt & Whitney, but the majority of these companies are considered small-business with most of them employing under 100 people.

Each year, Georgia devotes $50 million in focused aerospace research at colleges and universities including but not limited to Georgia Tech, Mercer (Engineering Research Center), and Middle Georgia State College. Georgia is also home to 5 engineering schools that offer a wide variety of degrees in support of the aerospace industry—for instance, Georgia Tech, which has the largest aerospace engineering school in the United States.

This billion-dollar industry is expected to grow exponentially in the coming years, and Georgia is prepared to meet those growing demands head on.

From the Georgia Department of Economic Development: Georgia.org