The economy of the South has undergone a dramatic shift in the past two decades, away from traditional industries such as textiles and tobacco production, and toward highly-skilled, advanced manufacturing sectors such as automotive, aerospace, bio/lifesciences, energy and information technology. Service-oriented jobs, such as those offered by the tourism industry and other highly-skilled technology jobs now lead economic development activities  in the region.

Southern Governors recognize that we live in a global society and our region’s future economic health is intertwined with Southern states’ relationships with their trading partners around the world. The American South is open for business with foreign countries, and Southern Governors have structured their state’s tax codes, regulations and spending priorities accordingly so as to invite foreign trade and investment to our region.

Our Governors continue to implement and manage economic development initiatives that aim to reduce poverty, increase educational readiness, encourage workforce development and create strong economies that rely on competitive market conditions, all while meeting community needs and developing and maintaining critical infrastructure.

Click here to learn more about SGA's policy platform for regional economic growth.

Specific economic development issues in which SGA is playing a role include:

• Advanced Manufacturing in the American South
• Strenghtening Trade Ties with Latin America
• The American South: An Innovation Destination
• Securing Southern Economic Success in Emerging Markets
• Equity in Federal Programs
• Workforce Investment
• Emergency Communications Interoperability
• Broadband Infrastructure
• Insurance
• Water and Sewer Infrastructure