Two Forsyth Companies Win ORBATL 2018 Atlanta Metro Export Challenge
Forsyth County Winners of Atlanta MEC
On November 5, 2018, ORBATL announced the winners of the Atlanta Metro Export Challenge (Atlanta MEC). Two of the 30 winners are businesses from Forsyth County:
- LivFul: a producer of a plant-based bug repellent in the Bioscience & Healthcare field
- Quantum Pharmaceutical Supply & Services, LLC: a pharmaceutical distributor in the Bioscience & Healthcare
About ORBATL and the Atlanta MEC
ORBATL is a regional partnership of public and private leaders. It enables businesses to grow in the global economy. ORBATL designed the Atlanta MEC to engage small- and medium-sized companies in metro Atlanta in the development of their international business.
Over the last two years, the program gave out more than $400,000 to metro Atlanta companies. Each year, ORBATL awards 30 companies a grant of $5,000 each. They apply it toward advancing their international business sector.
“We are proud to see two companies from our county among the grant winners. We believe that the program is a major gateway to the international market for companies in the region, because it does not only provide financial support but also connects them to an abundance of resources in metro Atlanta,”‘ said Robert Long, Vice President of Economic Development at the Cumming-Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce.
Growing the Economy
Above all, the Atlanta MEC supports economic development. Promoting participation from small businesses boosts metro Atlanta’s exports. Despite being the 14th largest exporter in the U.S., the region ranks 65th among the nation’s largest metros in export intensity (exports as a percentage of economic output).
A recent survey among participants in the grant program revealed that over half of the surveyed companies successfully exported to new markets. The majority of the companies secured new distributors or partners in international markets.
Exports are shown to add jobs to regional economies. In addition, the International Trade Administration reports that for every $1 billion generated in exports, an additional 5,800 new jobs are created.
See the top international employers in Forsyth here.
Companies Represented in the Atlanta MEC
The 30 grant winners represent a wide array of industries, including traditional and advanced manufacturing, bioscience & healthcare, professional services, food and beverage, and technology companies. Moreover, woman-owned and minority-owned businesses are strongly represented.
LivFul and Quantum Pharmaceutical Supply & Services, LLC are both part of the bioscience and healthcare industries and will continue to grow and bring jobs to Forsyth County with their grants.
