These projects are expected to come online in late 2024 and 2025, respectively.
Kemp said even without the Rivian and Hyundai projects, the state still would have set a job record over the past year.
Abrams has credited Democrats, specifically Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, with laying the groundwork for companies to come to Georgia, and criticized the $1 billion state-backed incentive packages used to close the two deals of electric vehicle factories.
“Listen to me clearly, we don’t have to raise taxes,” Abrams said Wednesday of his agenda. “All we have to do is raise our expectations of those who guide us.”
Abrams has also criticized Kemp over controversial abortion and gun laws that she says will hurt Georgia economically.
exploreAbrams: It’s time to legalize casino betting and sports betting
Kemp took jabs at his opponent and the Democratic-led Congress throughout his speech. He criticized the Inflation Reduction Act, which the US Senate passed last weekend. He said it would raise taxes and further hurt high inflation, which he has repeatedly accused President Joe Biden of.
Democrats have said the bill will help fight climate change, lower the cost of prescription drugs, reduce the deficit and create millions of jobs.
“If anyone wants to suggest that we don’t provide jobs and opportunity for everyone in the state, they should get the facts straight before commenting on things they simply don’t understand,” Kemp said. “Numbers are not like politicians, they don’t lie.”
Georgia once again broke a record for direct spending by film and television producers in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, reaching $4.4 billion, according to the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
Georgia also has an unemployment rate below 3% for the first time in state history.
exploreGeorgia’s entertainment industry caught in a crossfire over abortion and guns
A disclosure note
AJC’s owner, Cox Enterprises, owns about a 4% stake in Rivian and provides services to it. Sandy Schwartz, a Cox executive who oversees the AJC, sits on Rivian’s board of directors and owns stock. It does not participate in Rivian coverage of the AJC.
