Georgia’s growth is increasingly shaped by complex conversations around talent, innovation and collaboration. As industries evolve and competition intensifies, the need for strategic partnerships between academia and business becomes more urgent. The University of Georgia’s active presence in the state’s economic development landscape ensures UGA continues to be a key contributor — bringing research expertise, a deep talent pool and a spirit of innovation that helps fuel Georgia’s economic momentum.

In fiscal year 2024, UGA generated $8.4 billion in economic activity statewide. The university’s economic development work has led to thousands of jobs created or retained, millions in capital investment and business growth, stronger communities and more resilient local economies.

“Supporting economic development and enhancing the vitality of communities across our state is woven into the University of Georgia’s DNA,” said UGA President Jere W. Morehead. “Guided by our land-grant and sea-grant mission, we are dedicated to serving the public good through education, research and outreach that drives prosperity throughout Georgia.”

But UGA’s influence goes far beyond dollars and cents. Its research enterprise is a catalyst for innovation, turning ideas into real-world solutions. Every $1 of research funding at UGA yields $2.13 in economic activity thanks to groundbreaking discoveries that lead to new products, startups and licensing agreements. Faculty inventions have launched more than 200 companies, many of which remain rooted in Georgia, creating jobs and attracting investment.

The university’s commitment to workforce development is equally vital. With two-thirds of UGA graduates staying in Georgia, the institution is a key supplier of job talent. These graduates not only fill critical roles but also become entrepreneurs, educators and civic leaders who shape the state’s future.

An ecosystem of impact

UGA’s economic development efforts are not the work of a single office or program. Instead, they are the result of a dynamic ecosystem that includes Public Service and Outreach, the Office of Economic Development, the Office of Business Engagement, the Office of Research and the Innovation District. Each plays a distinct role, yet all are united by a shared goal to help Georgia thrive.

Public Service and Outreach is the university’s gateway to community engagement and development. Through its eight units, PSO connects UGA’s expertise and resources with the needs of Georgia’s communities and businesses. PSO units including the Archway Partnership, the Small Business Development Center, the J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government work with communities to identify local challenges like workforce gaps, infrastructure needs or business development opportunities and connect communities with UGA’s research and expertise to address them.

“UGA’s economic development work is about empowering communities with the tools, talent and partnerships they need to thrive,” said Stacy Jones, vice president for public service and outreach. “By connecting local leaders with university expertise, we help build stronger, more resilient economies across Georgia, ensuring that prosperity is shared and sustainable.”

Partnering for long-term success

Established by President Morehead in 2013, the UGA Office of Economic Development in Atlanta is another pathway for UGA engagement. Director of Economic Development Matt Colvin helps ensure that UGA’s resources are being leveraged to strengthen communities, preparing them to compete for economic development opportunities. As companies evaluate dozens of potential locations across multiple states, this kind of strategic preparation can be the deciding factor.

These behind-the-scenes efforts not only help secure major wins for Georgia but also ensure that UGA’s expertise and resources are actively strengthening communities statewide — building resilience, fostering growth and positioning Georgia for long-term success.

“It’s a very holistic process in economic development because you can see the University of Georgia supporting it from different fronts,” Colvin said. “The work we do really helps communities distinguish themselves.”

Once needs are identified, UGA’s Office of Business Engagement steps in to build bridges between industry and the university. This office helps companies tap into UGA’s talent and research, often linking them with Innovation Gateway, the university’s commercialization arm. Innovation Gateway, housed in the Office of Research, also plays a proactive role in cultivating industry partnerships and creating access to UGA’s innovation ecosystem. It supports the transformation of research into market-ready solutions, helping faculty and student entrepreneurs launch startups and license technologies that address real-world problems.

Both OBE and Innovation Gateway, along with several other units, are core components of Innovation District. Together, these units have helped introduce over 1,200 products to the marketplace. As a testament to the work of OBE, Innovation Gateway and OED, UGA once again ranked No. 1 among U.S. universities for the number of commercial products brought to market by industry partners based on university research, according to an annual survey conducted by AUTM.

Working together for Georgia’s future

What makes UGA’s economic development efforts so effective is the synergy among these units.

For example, a community need identified by PSO might inspire a research project supported by an Office of Research seed grant. That research could later produce technology that can be patented with the help of Innovation Gateway, which then could help license the technology to a new, faculty-led startup that taps into the network of services provided through the Innovation District. The Office of Business Engagement might then connect that startup with industry partners or help scale its operations.

This integrated approach ensures that UGA’s resources are aligned and amplified, creating a multiplier effect across the state that builds resiliency.