Gov. Nathan Deal, in conjunction with the Georgia Department of Economic Development, presented 40 Georgia businesses with GLOBE (Georgia Launching Opportunities By Exporting) Awards at the 2018 Go Global reception at the Atlanta History Center. This state-led awards program recognizes companies that entered into new international markets in the previous year. Deal also announced that Georgia has expanded its representation to a 12th international market, Peru.
 
“The Go Global event highlights the importance of international partnerships for maintaining our competitive edge and generating new investments across the state,” said Deal. “Georgia businesses offer a diversified variety of exports including chemicals, plastics, poultry, paper and aerospace products, which provide the foundation for long-term growth in the international marketplace. In the last decade, Georgia’s exports to Peru have increased by 42 percent and expanding representation to this market will continue to strengthen this relationship. I applaud all of our Go Global Award winners for cultivating new international connections and for having such a tremendous impact on Georgia’s economic success. With our strong international presence, Georgia is ready and able to support companies looking to achieve new levels of success through global commerce.”
 
The fifth annual Go Global reception also provided an opportunity for Georgia companies to network with the state’s international representatives from 12 strategic markets including Brazil, Canada, China, Chile, Colombia, Europe, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Peru, the United Kingdom and Ireland. The top markets among this year’s winners include Australia, Japan, Latin America and the United Kingdom.
 
“International business continues to soar in Georgia,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “As we announce the expansion of our international footprint into Peru, we also celebrate 40 Georgia businesses who have entered new markets in 2017. I am proud of the important work these companies have done to keep us competitive in the global economy, and I appreciate the hard work of our international trade team in Atlanta and offices around the world in helping Georgia’s companies grow and compete on the world stage.”
 
The 40 GLOBE Award winners, representing 15 counties, collectively exported to 84 new markets in 2017. Six award winners exported to Columbia, the most common new market, for the first time. Of the winners, 73 percent are classified as small businesses with fewer than 100 employees.
 
“Congratulations to all of our 2018 GLOBE winners, whose recognition highlights the innovative products and services that Georgia companies offer to international customers,” said GDEcD Deputy Commissioner of International Trade Mary Waters. “Exporting is not easy, and I applaud the dedication to global opportunities shown by these firms, and exporters all across the state. Our team looks forward to further bolstering Georgia exports in the coming year.”
 
The 2018 GLOBE Award winners, along with county of location, are:

• AdEdge Water Technologies – Gwinnett County

• American 3B Scientific – DeKalb County

• Aventure Aviation – Fayette County

• Bland Farms – Tattnall County

• Blue Force Gear, Inc. – Chatham County

• Carson Industries, Inc. – Fulton County

• CentricsIT – Gwinnett County

• CIS Biotech, Inc. – DeKalb County

• Crider Foods – Emanuel County

• DataPath – Gwinnett County

• Geo Strategy Partners, LLC – Fulton County

• GF Health Products, Inc. – Gwinnett County

• Hill and Mac Gunworks, LLC – Fulton County

• Hydro Dynamics Inc. – Floyd County

• InComm – Fulton County

• InnoConcepts, Inc (dba CocoaTown) – Fulton County

• Matrix Surgical USA – Fulton County

• MMJ Labs – DeKalb County

• Motorparts Nation – Cobb County

• NanoLumens – Gwinnett County

• One-World, Inc. – DeKalb County

• OptiLedge – Coweta County

• Patientory, Inc. – Fulton County

• Paulk Vineyards – Irwin County

• Phoenix Green Food, Inc. – Fulton County

• Pivot Global Partners, LLC – Fulton County

• Plus Materials, Inc. – Gwinnett County

• Princeton Healthcare International – Cobb County

• Quail International – Greene County

• Quantum Aviation Solutions – Clarke County

• Rackettown Mustangs, LLC – Toombs County

• Richland Distilling Company, LLC – Stewart County

• Rotorcorp, LLC – Fulton County

• Savannah Bee Company – Chatham County

• SweetWater Brewing Company – Fulton County

• The Tru-Nut Company – Fulton County

• Valtorc International – Cobb County

• Volantio, Inc. – Fulton County

• Winton Machine Company – Gwinnett County

• ZCorum – Fulton County