Georgia has been named the top state for business for the 10th year by Area Development Magazine.
The designation is from an executive magazine focused on site selection and relocation that won’t be found on the average living room coffee table. But Georgia’s dominance in the ranking has provided steady fodder for Republican leaders when touting the state’s economic strength as well as critics who often use it as a foil when highlighting other areas where the state may be falling short.
(READ MORE: Tennessee and Georgia among best states for business in new CNBC ranking)
And on Tuesday, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp stood outside the governor’s mansion in Buckhead and credited the No. 1 state status with helping to grow Georgia’s economy. Next to him stood former Gov. Nathan Deal, who was in office when the state first rose to the top spot.
“I’m so glad that Gov. Deal is with us today because when he first announced that Georgia had earned this ranking, and certainly throughout my tenure in office, the Atlanta paper would make fun of this award, saying it came from a small niche outlet that no one’s ever heard of. But I will tell you the proof is in the numbers,” Kemp said.