ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Governor Brian Kemp is undertaking another overseas economic development trip next week, this time to Germany and Poland.
Kemp has taken several of these trips since taking office six years ago to places like Israel, Italy and Switzerland. His trip several years ago to South Korea yielded huge projects like the QCells plant in Dalton, Georgia, and the new Hyundai factory in Brunswick – the largest economic development project in state history.
“It has proved to get a great return on investment for our state,” said Kemp, speaking exclusively to Atlanta News First on Friday. “Going to Germany and Poland, we got a lot of companies that we’re visiting with that have ongoing operations in Georgia or active expansions that are underway.”
Germany in particular already has a huge presence in Georgia. They’re the fourth largest export and import market for the state of Georgia and around 650 German companies employ roughly 42,000 Georgians already. Kemp says he sees that same potential in Poland.
“I think it’s a good place in Europe, it’s got a very stable government, they’re doing good financially, and I think there’s a lot of opportunity in the future there,” Kemp said. “So, we’re just plowing a little field over there in Poland.”
The trips, which use taxpayer dollars, are no vacation, Kemp says. Economic development missions date back to the time Jimmy Carter was Georgia governor and kept a grueling schedule.
“We get a lot of value out of doing it,” said Kemp, “and if anybody ever wants to go with us, it is a brutal schedule, it is definitely no junket. We are working every day.”
Kemp’s office already has offices in cities that have done business with the state like South Korea, Japan and all across Europe. He says Georgia’s existing infrastructure, like its deepwater ports, are attractive to companies looking for a presence in the U.S., and with them, come jobs. Kemp says creating new companies inside state borders will allow Georgians more opportunities in high demand fields without having to leave.
“When they graduate from Georgia Tech, UGA, Georgia College, wherever, they can stay in our state and live and work and raise their families one day,” he said.
Kemp’s office said in the past six years of his governorship, international companies have invested over $38 billion on projects in Georgia.
“That’s just who we are as a state,” Kemp said. “It really teaches the world that we’re an international state, that Atlanta’s an international city and we’re welcoming that business and that job creation and investments in our state.”
Copyright 2025 WANF. All rights reserved.