International companies are accounting for a greater proportion of Atlanta‘s job growth than domestic firms, according to a recent Metro Atlanta Chamber report.
Of 23 companies that have expanded or relocated in Atlanta during the first half of this year, 16 were based overseas, according to the chamber’s bi-annual business recruitment email.
The foreign-owned projects run the gamut from small offices and consulates to major corporate headquarters.
For instance, European molecular diagnostics firm NorDiag is projecting 20 jobs at a new laboratory in Alpharetta.
Meanwhile, Porsche Cars North America decided in May to move its Atlanta headquarters to the Aerotropolis development near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, creating 100 jobs as it consolidates business units from elsewhere in the U.S.
Atlanta remains attractive for foreign companies expanding into North America, Hans Gant, the chamber’s senior vice president of economic development, told GlobalAtlanta by email.
“Last year the Metro Atlanta Chamber and its partners helped 67 companies establish an operation in the Atlanta region. Nearly 30 percent of those were from abroad, making an important impact on the growth of our economy,” he said.
The chamber’s report mentions a German solar company, an Italian packaging machine producer, a Chinese furniture hardware manufacturer and many more.
Atlanta was recently ranked No. 5 in fDi magazine’s American Cities of the Future index, which tracked how well cities are equipped to draw foreign direct investment.
Of cities with more than 750,000 people, Atlanta was No. 3 for business friendliness, No. 7 for foreign-investment strategy and No. 8 for human resources, according to the report.
View the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s full list of recent expansion and relocations here.
Read more: Atlanta Fifth Among American Cities in FDI Ranking
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