Food manufacturing is big business in the South Atlantic region of the U.S. and Georgia cities are among the country's best for quality of life and affordability.

Food manufacturing is big business in the South Atlantic region of the U.S. and Georgia cities are among the country’s best for quality of life and affordability.

Nationwide, the subsectector includes 21,000 companies generating $1.9 trillion in annual sales and employing 1.6 million workers in an industry that converts animal and agricultural resources into consumable goods such as dairy products, coffee and tea.

Global Location Strategies ranks location sites based on scores from 0 to 100 in categories including labor readiness, talent pool, education, infrastructure, logistics, regulatory environments, overall quality of life and cost of living.

The Greenville, S.C.-based group released its 2025 report on July 29, listing five Georgia cities and the greater Chattanooga, Tenn., area among the top 12 locations in the country, out of nearly 400 ranked locations.

Here’s how the cities fared:

  1. Warner Robins, Ga.
  2. Savannah, Ga. 
  3. Huntsville, Ala. 
  4. Winston-Salem, N.C. 
  5. Clarksville, Tenn./Ky.
  6. Kansas City, Mo./Kan.
  7. Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, Ga.
  8. Chattanooga, Tenn./Ga. 
  9. Knoxville, Tenn.
  10. Gainesville, Ga. 
  11. Green Bay, Wis. 
  12. Augusta-Richmond County, Ga./S.C. 

The report also spotlights LaGrange, Ga., as a top-ranked investment location for a new facility making seasoning and dressing yielding a $288 million investment and 267 jobs.

“What makes Georgia stand out is the strength of its entire ecosystem, especially in smaller cities that are delivering outsized impact,” Global Location Strategies CEO Didi Caldwell told GPB in an email. “Warner Robins, which ranked No. 1 nationally in our report, jumped 11 spots, thanks to a 17% drop in utility costs and top scores in workforce and quality of life.”

The report said that new projects in the South Atlantic region “remain capital-intensive rather than labor-driven, reflecting a sustained trend toward automation-driven investment.”

It also stated that food manufacturing wages have increased nationally by 23%, reaching an average of $59,873 annually — outpacing general manufacturing wage growth (21%, now at $84,207) but trailing the overall economy (26%).

Caldwell said No. 2 Savannah boasts the region’s highest quality score because “it remains a powerhouse in workforce and industry ecosystem, despite rising lease rates.”

Although Dalton, Ga., ranked 78th nationally, it ranked No.1 in the region for lowest operating costs, Cadwell said.

Georgia’s high marks may help as all states face challenges due to tariffs, immigration and regulatory changes.

“Georgia’s depth reflects the state’s long-standing legacy in food production and a high concentration of skilled labor,” she said. “Georgia’s not just competitive, it’s coordinated. This proves that site selection isn’t just a box to check, but rather a strategic decision that can shape a company’s success for decades. When companies prioritize location early, they position themselves to thrive in the face of evolving industry demands.”

This story comes to The Georgia Sun through a reporting partnership with GPB a non-profit newsroom focused on reporting in Georgia.