Robin Spratlin, the general manager of economic development for Georgia Power, presented findings on Georgia's improving its chances of bringing in more business during Tuesday's Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce Women in Business luncheon:

WHAT DO COMPANIES LOOK FOR?

Area Development magazine conducts a survey each year to determine the qualities corporations look for when considering relocation to a community.

"Land availability has shown up on this survey for the first time ever. You want to plan for smart growth," Ms. Spratlin said. "One of the most critical assets that we're having trouble finding is land that does not have commercial and residential encroachment upon industrial parks."

WHAT OPPORTUNITIES EXIST FOR GEORGIA?

"You keep hearing a lot about the economy, the loss of jobs and impact of oil prices, but we've actually got some hot sectors," Ms. Spratlin said.

These "hot industries" include automotive, plastics, energy services, health management/health care, data centers and foreign direct investment.

"Plastics is a great area for us. Data centers are a growing industry. We have over 12 data center projects right now," Ms. Spratlin said.

WHAT ARE GEORGIA'S STRENGTHS?

Georgia ranks second in the Southeast for net migration. In 2007, 160,000 people moved to Georgia. Florida ranked first, and North Carolina was third.

"Companies are going to want to follow that kind of market access, and we're truly blessed to have it," Ms. Spratlin said.

Georgia is fifth in attracting a prime work force and second for having a working-age population. Georgia ranks fifth for the number of high school graduates and ninth for the number of college graduates in the Southeast.