This week, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce hosts its 32^nd annual Georgia Quail Hunt in Albany as31 business leaders representing state recruitment and expansion prospects joined local, state and economic development officials to learn about the benefits of doing business in Georgia.

The hunt, sponsored by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, the Georgia Allies, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission and Locate South Georgia, provides an opportunity for relationship development among statewide leaders and guests whose companies or clients are looking to locate to or expand in Georgia.

The recruitment event utilizes various hunting preserves throughout Southwest Georgia and is based out of Albany. 

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp was on hand for the event.

“Business thrives in Albany and Southwest Georgia, and we’re proud to show off our region of the state every year during the Georgia Quail Hunt, an incredible collaboration between local, regional, state and corporate partners,” said Justin Strickland, president of the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission. “Albany’s skilled workforce and low cost of doing business makes us an attractive option for industry location and expansion, and this event has been key in helping to facilitate exactly that.”

Since 1994 alone, guests of the Georgia Quail Hunt have invested more than $2.5 billion and created more than 8,500 jobs in the state as a result of corporate locations or expansions.

Industry locations in Albany-Dougherty County such as Coats and Clark, Outdoor Network Distribution, PowerSports Plus and WebstaurantStore are sited as local projects facilitated through the hunt.

“Georgia has established itself as the nation’s top state for business, and this event allows us the opportunity to showcase Georgia’s people and business friendly environment,” said 2020 Georgia Quail Hunt Chairman Daryl Ingram, chief external officer and senior vice president of Electric Cities of Georgia. “Economic success, in large part, is due to collaboration between public and private entities coming together to create opportunities for businesses to thrive, and therefore creating thriving communities along with them. This event is a perfect example of the collaborative atmosphere businesses can expect when they choose to locate or expand in Georgia.” 

Event organizers say the hunt has been successful in recruiting businesses to the state.

“For more than thirty years, the Georgia Quail Hunt has helped facilitate the creation of thousands of jobs and tens of billions in investment in Georgia’s economy,”said Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber. “Hosting the event in Albany provides an incredible opportunity to showcase Southwest Georgia as a premier destination for business, giving guests a first-hand look at the region’s high quality of life and exposing them to local and state leaders who are eager to help them take their business to the next level.”

In addition to the Georgia Allies, the Albany-Dougherty Economic Development Commission and Locate South Georgia,corporate sponsors include Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, MillerCoors, PowerSports Plus, Glock,Trulock Choke Tubes, BPI Outdoors and Taurus Holdings.