Gov. Deal: Mercedes-Benz Will Create 800 Jobs In Atlanta Area

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Hundreds of new jobs will be created when Mercedes-Benz USA relocate its headquarters to the Sandy Springs area, Gov. Nathan Deal said on Tuesday.

Deal said in a press release said the company will create at least 800 new jobs and invest roughly $74 million into its headquarters.

The company said last week it will move its executives and staff from Montvale, New Jersey, to a temporarily location in “Atlanta’s central perimeter on an interim basis.”

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz USA plans to build a new, permanent facility that would open in early 2017.

“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,” said Deal. “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.”

Mercedes-Benz USA is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. Mercedes-Benz USA President and CEO Stephen Cannon added the Atlanta area is ”a premier city which provides the perfect foundation to write the next chapter of our success story here in the U.S.”

“For our employees, Atlanta offers all the things that matter to us outside of work such as a strong quality of life, terrific schools and wonderful cultural and recreational activities,” he said. “We’re proud to call Georgia our future home.”

Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said he and everyone else he’s talked to is ”delighted” about Mercedes’ choice to bring its headquarters to the city. Paul said he’s always considered Sandy Springs to be the “Mercedes” of the Atlanta area. In light of the news, that characterization has been transformed from a metaphorical saying to a literal one.

“We are glad they chose our community,” he said.

Paul said one of the sites the company is eyeing is on the southwest corner of Abernathy and Barfield roads. A proposed residential development that would go in the area would allow Mercedes-Benz USA employees to only work in the area, but to also live near the campus. If that were to become a reality, Paul stated that would have a lesser impact on the city’s streets and infrastructure in the area.

According to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the state has released specifics on its incentive package to attract the company to Georgia. The company is set to receive a $6 million Regional Economic Business Assistance Program (REBA) grant administered by the Development Authority of Fulton County. Additionally, the AJC reports Mercedes is applying with the Fulton development authority for a bond package that would provide local property tax breaks on its planned campus.

The Wall Street Journal reports the state offered the company $23 million in tax credits and other incentives in an effort to lure the company to Sandy Springs.

The automotive industry, from headquarter operations to major automotive suppliers’ manufacturing operations, is an important part of Georgia’s economy, Deal continued.

Georgia’s automotive sector has experienced a 149 percent increase in investment and 11 percent increase in jobs during fiscal year 2014, according to the state.

In addition, the state’s automotive industry exports grew 9.2 percent between 2012 and 2013. Atlanta has become a leading city for auto technology, with the GM Innovation Center, Panasonic Automotive Innovation Center and the AT&T Drive Studio calling Georgia home.

“Welcoming one of the world’s most recognizable global brands to Georgia is an incredible victory for the state,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr. “This wouldn’t have happened without the continued collaboration with so many of our economic development partners, including 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.”

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