Gov. Perdue of Georgia gets down to business – It pays to focus on what you’ve got instead of coveting thy neighbors’

"Many states are so busy competing with each other [to lure outside businesses] … they forget about the businesses that are already creating jobs and paying taxes in their own state," he said.

Gov. Sonny Perdue, who has tried unsuccessfully to attract such companies as DaimlerChrysler AG and Kmart Holding Corp. to Georgia, is sponsoring a pair of initiatives that focus instead on encouraging existing businesses to expand.

That’s good news, since 80 percent of jobs come from existing businesses, said Randal Morris, assistant director for economic development services at the The University of Georgia’s Small Business Development Center.

"I think the governor’s on target," he said.

Jill Lerner
Staff Writer

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