A rich state means a state with leaders. A leader means top of its class. Class needs intelligence and strategy. What if Mercedes wants it all, an Georgia wants all Mercedes ?
$23.3 million are given to move Mercedes Benz headquarters in Georgia, in the Sandy Spings area, from where it’s currently located now, in Montvale. Governor Nathan Deal promises hundreds of new jobs (about 800) if the deal is done. The investment into the headquarters is quite generous: about $74 million, and is well known that the calculus made home don’t really resemble the ones at the market place, so the sum could actually grow.
Mister Deal said that
“With its international name recognition and unmatched reputation for quality, Mercedes-Benz USA’s decision to move to Georgia is simply a home run for the state. I look forward to building upon this new partnership and adding Mercedes-Benz to the state’s already impressive automotive sector. Georgia is home to many growing, globally connected businesses, due in part to our top-ranked economic environment that has made us the No. 1 state for business three times over. Mercedes-Benz will find in Georgia a state that will help its bottom line, and a people who will welcome its team and their families with open arms. Welcome to Georgia, Mercedes-Benz.”
The distribution, marketing and customer service of all USA Mercedes Benz products are the responsibility of this company only. Therefore, its leaders are looking for a well-stated city in which the next Mercedes history page will be written.
The mayor of Sandy Springs, Rusty Paul, is enchanted in every way, publicly showing grand pride and joy that Mercedes chose his town to take place of this big plan.
The fuel that makes everything work is obviously money. The Wall Street Journal states that there are important quantities of money given as tax credits or diverse incentives in order to move the wheel a little bit more.
However, Mercedes Benz is not the only one who smells the Georgia market. In 2014,there was a 149% increase in the investment of automotive industry, and as a consequence, the number of jobs increased as well, putting the percentage right above a straight ten: 11%.
The other companies that are helping Georgia to lure Mercedes are the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, Georgia Power, Development Authority of Fulton County, city of Sandy Springs, MARTA, the Georgia Department of Transportation, the Georgia Department of Driver Services and the Georgia Council for the Arts. Everybody soon hopes that when finally the Mercedes Benz US headquarters will be moved to Georgia, the investment will also bring a serious, and very much welcomed profit.
Image Source: Georgia Globe Design News