Powering the Next Chapter of Site Selection
Across the Southeast and around the world, the fundamentals of economic development are shifting. Global supply chain reconfiguration, the rise of AI, and the acceleration of advanced manufacturing are redrawing the map of opportunity and reshaping how companies think about growth.
These trends underscore a simple truth: success in today’s competitive environment is built on readiness, relationships, and reliability.
The New Drivers of Growth
Over the past several years, companies have begun to rethink everything from logistics networks to data infrastructure. While speed to market remains a priority, the factors that define a “ready” site have evolved.
Power availability and grid reliability are now as central to the site selection process as workforce and transportation once were. Heavy energy users – particularly in advanced manufacturing and AI-related operations – are evaluating not just whether power is available, but whether utilities can be long-term partners in sustainable growth.
That’s where an integrated approach like Georgia Power’s comes in. By combining research and engineering expertise, robust infrastructure planning, and transparent processes, companies can trust the reliability of their utility partners to make informed, lasting decisions which ensures that ambitious projects can remain achievable.
"Power availability and grid reliability are now as central to the site selection process as workforce and transportation once were."
From Mega Projects to Measured Growth
Following an unprecedented wave of investment from 2020 to 2024 driven by e-commerce, electrification, and federal incentives, especially in the Southeast, the industrial market is normalizing. Rather than a slowdown, this recalibration represents a shift toward more measured, sustainable expansion.
Many of today’s most impactful projects aren’t the billion-dollar “megadeals” that make headlines. They’re the 100-to-400-job investments that strengthen local economies and create generational opportunities. These projects move quickly, require close collaboration, and depend on communities to be prepared with development-ready sites, clear permitting processes, and proactive local leadership.
The Power of Partnership
Whether it’s a manufacturer from Japan exploring its first U.S. location or a regional developer planning a new industrial park, strong partnerships make projects possible.
Local economic development teams that stay closely aligned with their state and utility partners are better positioned to respond when opportunity knocks. Regular communication – understanding each partner’s process, timelines, and requirements – ensures communities can move at the speed of business.
And while collaboration across agencies and regions can be complex, it’s often the differentiator that wins a project. As economic development wins in every corner of the state have shown us, Georgia’s success continues to rest on the strength of its partnerships.
Building for the Future
Looking ahead, readiness will mean more than shovel-ready sites. It will mean cultivating communities that are equipped for long-term growth - those that are clear on their land-use plans, coordinated across jurisdictions, and committed to sustainable power and workforce solutions.
At its core, economic development is about possibility — for companies, communities, and the people who power both. And economic developers who plan today for their next generation of industrial sites, aligning with utilities, local governments, and regional organizations, will be best positioned to define tomorrow’s possibilities.
Georgia Power has been a partner in our state’s growth for nearly 100 years. If you're looking for a teammate in creating new possibilities, our team remains committed to helping communities across the state compete and thrive for the next century and beyond.
