Page 28 - Athens New Comers Guide 2022

and Site Selection Magazine. Athens
blends its low cost of doing business
with state-of-the-art infrastructure and a
talented workforce to create the perfect
environment for business success.
Companies of all sizes have been
choosing Athens-Clarke County for many
years. As the eastern anchor of Georgia’s
Innovation Crescent, not only is Athens
nestled in one of the nation’s most
economically vibrant locations, but also it
is well-positioned to attract talent. It was
named among the “The Coolest College
Towns in America” by The Discoverer, one
of the “Top 100 Best Places to Live 2022”
(#32 nationally, #1 in Georgia) by Livability.
com, and as the “South’s Best College
Town” by Southern Living, March 2022.
Athens is widely recognized as a creative,
inspirational, and innovative community,
home not only to a thriving entertainment
scene but also to a hugely successful
base of manufacturing companies. From
biotechnology and pharmaceuticals,
plastics and polymers, craft brewing and
beverages, and advanced and precision
manufacturers, companies benefit from
Athens’ central location and workforce,
which gives local firms an advantage over
competitors in other areas.

The University of Georgia (UGA) is a
top partner for industry, ranking
among the best U.S. universities for
licensing activity. UGA expends more
than $495 million annually in research
and development that is applied in
biotechnology, genetics, pharmaceuticals,
and veterinary medicines.

UGA has developed more than 775
products that have subsequently
launched into the marketplace, ranging
from pharmaceuticals to peanuts and
from poultry vaccines to educational
tools. Additionally, more than 175
start-up companies have been created
through UGA research, resulting in
more than 1,300 jobs and an estimated
national economic impact of more
than $531 million from UGA start-
ups and programs. The university’s
Innovation District is leading the charge
in entrepreneurship and innovation by
fostering an environment where students
and companies can work together to find
solutions and recruit talent for businesses.

24 Business & Industry Athens Area Chamber of Commerce • www.athensga.com • (706) 549-6800