June 2, 2022

GRA, Georgia Chamber team up to advance economic growth, innovation in Georgia

ATLANTA—The Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Georgia Research Alliance have inked an affiliate agreement to amplify their collective impact on the state’s economy, research universities and business community.

Adopted by each organization’s governing board, the agreement identifies eight potential areas of collaboration and outlines the formation of a task force to “develop cooperative activities to further boost Georgia’s economy and drive innovation in the state.”

With more than 47,000 members, the Georgia Chamber is the state’s largest advocacy organization for business. It provides policy and thought leadership to promote economic competitiveness, attract investment and drive growth and prosperity for all businesses.

GRA is a nonprofit that helps Georgia’s universities do more research and launch more companies. Founded in 1991, GRA strategically invests state dollars to recruit top scientific talent, provide high-tech tools for labs and seed and shape companies around inventions.

“This formalized partnership is a natural fit for both organizations,” says Susan Shows, GRA president. “The Georgia Chamber has a long and storied history of strengthening the business community to grow Georgia’s economy. And GRA plays a specialized role in technology-based economic development by expanding research and entrepreneurship at our state’s universities.”

“We are delighted to add GRA to a select group of Georgia-based organizations that are affiliates of the Georgia Chamber,” says Chris Clark, the chamber’s President & CEO. “Our affiliate program provides an avenue of creativity for generating good ideas and driving new action to benefit business in our state and contribute to Georgia’s strong and sustained economic outlook.”

Because of the partnership, both Shows and Clark have a seat on each other’s governing boards.

Contacts: 
TJ Filipowicz, Georgia Chamber
Amanda Schroeder, GRA