Georgia has been named the No. 1 state in the nation for doing business for the third consecutive year by Site Selection magazine, a leading economic development trade publication. With this success comes the increasing need to manage growth, while retaining an exceptional quality of life. To remain competitive in an expanding global marketplace, Georgia must make the commitment to lead into the future. 

As part of a proactive approach to managing growth, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce launched Georgia 2030, an ambitious plan designed to expand global commerce, develop a world-class workforce, bolster economic mobility, improve job creation, and support diverse and thriving communities across the state. 

The Georgia 2030 road tour rolled into Valdosta on May 17, with Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark presenting an overview of the state’s past success, followed by guests participating in an online poll designed to help create a roadmap for Georgia’s future.

“Instead of sitting in Atlanta deciding what is good for South Georgia or North Georgia, we decided to go out and ask people what we need to do to build a better Georgia and make sure we have economic prosperity everywhere,” Clark said. “So we launched Georgia 2030, which is our statewide visioning campaign. “

Through a video presentation, the group learned that Georgia’s economy must grow 40 percent by 2030 to remain competitive. To help with this economic growth, Georgia is expected to add 1.9 million people in the next 15 years. These new Georgia residents will fill more than 1 million jobs created across the state. 

This increase in population will produce a significant economic boom; however, these new Georgians will also place a strain on the state’s infrastructure with an estimated 1.5 million new cars added to roads and interstate system. The increase in population will also require an estimated 16 percent increase in energy use.

Providing adequate medical services is another concern, specifically with the senior adult population, which is expected to grow statewide by 50 percent. An estimated 38 percent more primary care physicians will be needed to care for Georgia citizens of all ages by 2030.

Building the state’s workforce is another critical issue as 2030 approaches. An estimated 18 percent more postsecondary graduates are needed to fill new and vacant jobs. 

With the last of the baby boomers retiring, followed by Generation X (ages 35 to 50), the millennial generation is needed to fill both vacant and new jobs. However, Georgia’s millennials in the workplace are only expected to grow 20 percent by 2030.

What does this mean for South Georgia? Clark explained that with the state’s expected 1.9 million population increase over the next 15 years, approximately 50 of the state’s most rural counties will see a decrease in residents.

“Lowndes County is going to have more than 13,000 more people over the next 14 years,” Clark said. “This is a very healthy growth rate and one of the highest in South Georgia.”

Clark urged the group to start planning now on how to accommodate these new residents to South Georgia. 

According to the report, South Georgia's senior citizen population is expected to grow by 45 percent, which will place stress on the health care system and social services. 

While the senior population is increasing, the number of millennials (ages 18-34) in South Georgia is decreasing primarily due to the lack of professional jobs being created. 

The expected increase in millennial workers in the region is only 4 percent, which is below the level needed to keep pace and provide an overall increase in the workforce.

According to information provided by the Georgia Chamber, the current workforce in South Georgia is approximately 150,000 people, and it is expected to increase by only 744 in the next 15 years. 

“The problem is you're going to have to replace 36,000 jobs of baby boomers that are going to retire,” said Clark. “You are not just talking about growing 1,000 new jobs; you have to replace those [who are retiring], because if companies who are hiring can’t find young people to go into those 36,000 jobs, what are they going to do? They are going to move, they are going to go somewhere else and that will be a huge impact.” 

The Georgia 2030 initiative is designed to engage discussion through town hall meetings, surveys, and social media platforms. Data, insights, and opinions on where the state is now and ways to productively move Georgia forward is being collected and analyzed. The information will then will be shared with legislators and chambers across the state to help further identify and recommend solutions and viable action steps to continue creating a vibrant and productive Georgia.

The Georgia 2030 tour started on May 5, in Augusta, and ends Aug. 23, in Macon. Business leaders and government officials are encouraged to attend one of interactive town hall meetings in their communities. For complete list of dates and locations, visit the Georgia Chamber of Commerce website at http://www.gachamber.com/georgia2030/.