Amidst a big week for the governor, with that little thing of the Senate announcement, Governor Brian Kemp managed to join the Georgia Department of Economic Development to honor the 6th Annual GLOBE Award winners for their contributions to Georgia’s economic growth. The program highlights companies that began exporting to a new international market in the previous year. Thirty-six companies were honored and collectively exported to 90 new countries in 2018.
“We are proud that our 2019 GLOBE Award winners call Georgia home,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “These outstanding small and local businesses have put in incredible work to pursue new international opportunities. Our international trade efforts have a significant impact on the overall wellbeing of our economy and create opportunity for companies in nearly every community in Georgia. With the support from GDEcD’s highly regarded International Trade team – Georgia businesses have access to a free service to help them expand their sales around the world.”
The winners came from across the state, from the biggest city Atlanta down to Stillmore in Emanuel County, population 532 in the 2010 Census. Employee totals ranged from two to 500. More than 72% of the companies included are classified as small business with less than 100 employees. Nearly half, 44%, are quite small with a workforce of less than 20. As is typical with U.S. trade, many of the destination countries for these exports are strong U.S. economic partners, including Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland.
These countries and others are served by the GDEcD’s international trade team, located in 12 strategic countries around the world. One-third of the GLOBE Winners this year entered markets in those countries.
“We are thrilled to once again celebrate Georgia companies who have entered new international markets,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Deputy Commissioner for International Trade Mary Waters. “Now in its sixth year, the GLOBE Awards not only shine a spotlight on Georgia exporters and the importance of trade to Georgia’s economy, but also on our International Trade team who work hard to connect Georgia companies with global opportunities to successfully grow their business.”
There were also winners in several different categories, Pain Care Labs for small business, Seydel Companies for mid-size business and Crider Foods for large business.
