Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 24, 2025
Georgia Construction Powers $80.9B Economy, Supports 549K Jobs
TLDR
- Georgia's commercial construction industry offers competitive advantages through $80.9 billion economic output and 549,347 jobs, positioning the state as the nation's top construction market.
- The economic impact report by ABC of Georgia details how $80.9 billion in output is generated through payroll spending, supplier support, and multiplier effects across sectors.
- Commercial construction builds Georgia's economy by creating over half a million jobs and generating $2.7 billion in state tax revenue that funds community services.
- Georgia's construction industry supports projects larger than the Mall of Georgia, including Google data centers and a $4.5 billion port expansion, while facing tariff and workforce challenges.
Impact - Why it Matters
This report matters because commercial construction represents one of Georgia's most significant economic engines, affecting nearly every resident through job creation, tax revenue generation, and infrastructure development. The industry's $80.9 billion economic impact translates to better-funded public services, improved transportation networks, and enhanced community facilities that directly benefit Georgia taxpayers. For workers, the sector provides 549,347 jobs with substantial earnings potential, while local businesses benefit from the ripple effects of construction spending. The identified challenges around tariffs and workforce shortages could impact project costs and timelines, potentially affecting housing affordability, business expansion, and public infrastructure improvements. Understanding this sector's health helps policymakers, business leaders, and residents gauge Georgia's economic trajectory and make informed decisions about workforce development, infrastructure investment, and economic policy.
Summary
A new economic impact report commissioned by Associated Builders and Contractors of Georgia reveals the staggering economic footprint of Georgia's commercial construction industry, which generated $80.9 billion in total economic output in 2022. The comprehensive study, prepared by Dr. M. Keivan Deravi of Economic Research Services, Inc., demonstrates how this sector serves as a foundational pillar of the state's economy, directly and indirectly supporting 549,347 full-time equivalent jobs while generating $49.2 billion in earnings for Georgia workers. Bill Anderson, president and CEO of ABC of Georgia, emphasized that "commercial construction is not just building structures—it's building Georgia's economy," noting that Georgia was recently named the #1 state for construction nationally.
The report breaks down the industry's massive economic contribution into detailed components, including $17.1 billion in gross payroll that generated $37.4 billion in output when multiplier effects are considered, and $21.8 billion in non-payroll spending that supported local suppliers and generated $43.5 billion in output. The industry also contributed significantly to state revenues, generating $2.7 billion in state tax revenues through income taxes and sales/use taxes. The impact extends far beyond construction itself, with manufacturing, services, trade, and transportation sectors being major beneficiaries of commercial development activities. High-profile projects like Google's new data center in Douglas County, which would be larger than the Mall of Georgia, Savannah Port's $4.5 billion expansion, and The Battery Atlanta's $1.1 billion mixed-use development exemplify this economic momentum.
Despite the industry's current strength, ABC of Georgia members report potential challenges including tariffs impacting construction material costs and immigration issues affecting workforce availability. While some segments like multifamily projects and privately funded developments have slowed, data center projects and government initiatives in higher education, healthcare, and college sports facilities continue to drive growth. With Georgia's pro-business climate, Sun Belt population growth, and ongoing infrastructure investments, the report underscores commercial construction's pivotal role in shaping the state's economic trajectory. Anderson concludes that supporting this industry is "key to ensuring long-term economic vitality" for communities across Georgia.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by citybiz. Read the original source here, Georgia Construction Powers $80.9B Economy, Supports 549K Jobs
