Economic Development Review

The Gainesville-Hall County Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) is among the top 50 fastest growing metros in the nation. Businesses make long-term investments in our community because of its stability, skilled workforce, visionary leadership and quality of life.

Fiscal year end (7/1/16-6/30/17) summary includes 30 expanded and new investments, 1,260 new jobs, 250 retained and $198 million in new investment.

Now in its 3rd year, the Greater Hall Workforce Development Task Force is proactive in keeping our community on the leading edge of providing skill ready employees for area businesses. Since launching the initiative in 2015, the number of work-based learning students employed in manufacturing has quadrupled.

Recognized for our pro-business efforts, Forbes Magazine has rated Gainesville-Hall County among “Best Small Places for Business & Careers” for the last four years.

In 2016, Site Selection Magazine named Georgia the #1 State for Business for the 4th year in a row. Area Development and CNBC also rated Georgia top in the nation for new business and expansion.

The Milken Institute Report named the Gainesville-Hall County Metro area as the Top Small Metro area in Georgia, # 4 in the nation for job growth and in the Top 10 in the nation for Best Performing Small Metros.

There are 49 international company locations from 19 countries in Gainesville-Hall County, employing 8,700 workers. One-third of goods producing employees in our community work locally for foreign-owned firms.

Hall County is a leader in agribusiness and food processing. Garner Economics ranked the Gainesville-Hall MSA as the highest concentrated metro area for food manufacturing and processing in the United States, with over 10,000 employees.

Gainesville-Hall County still reigns as Northeast Georgia’s primary trade area serving over 500,000 residents with significant retail growth at the I-985/Highway 365 and Dawsonville Highway 53 corridors as well as in South Hall.