Cost of Doing Business
Cost of Doing Business
Jeff Davis County offers businesses abundant real estate options, competitive wages, and locally operated utilities that contribute to one of the most affordable environments for business in Georgia.
Abundant Real Estate
Whether you’re looking to lease retail space downtown or develop a large-scale manufacturing site, Jeff Davis County offers affordable, flexible real estate options suited for businesses of all sizes.
Smaller businesses can thrive in downtown Hazlehurst or along main commercial corridors, while larger industrial users can develop custom facilities on available sites. View available sites and buildings.
Cost of Living & Competitive Wages
With a cost of living nearly 28% below the U.S. average and more than 22% below Georgia’s average, Jeff Davis County allows your business and your employees’ paychecks to go further.
Average hourly wage: $21
Hourly Wages by Occupation
| Occupation Type | Average Wage | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Management | $50.15 | $40.65 |
| Legal | $42.77 | $30.31 |
| Architecture & Engineering | $41.97 | $38.19 |
| Healthcare Practitioners | $39.28 | $31.59 |
| Computer & Mathematical | $39.04 | $34.59 |
| Business & Financial Ops | $35.06 | $29.58 |
| Life, Physical, Social Sciences | $34.44 | $29.85 |
| Education | $26.52 | $25.53 |
| Installation, Maintenance, Repair | $24.75 | $22.38 |
| Community & Social Service | $22.97 | $21.49 |
| Construction & Extraction | $22.17 | $20.11 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment | $21.30 | $17.06 |
| Protective Service | $20.96 | $19.12 |
| Farming, Fishing, Forestry | $20.25 | $17.31 |
| Production | $20.12 | $18.05 |
| Transportation & Material Moving | $19.09 | $17.56 |
| Office & Administrative Support | $18.34 | $16.94 |
| Sales | $17.74 | $13.72 |
| Healthcare Support | $15.62 | $14.48 |
| Cleaning & Maintenance | $15.05 | $13.90 |
| Personal Care & Service | $14.32 | $13.18 |
| Food Service | $12.92 | $11.91 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2023
Incentives & Taxes
Jeff Davis County and the State of Georgia offer aggressive incentive packages to support business growth and job creation. Highlights include:
- Land available at low cost
- Job Tax Credit: $4,000 per net new job/year for 5 years (Tier 1)
- 100% Freeport Exemption on inventory destined to be shipped out of state
- Industrial Revenue Bond Financing through the Development Authority
- Georgia Quick Start workforce training at no cost
- Assistance with infrastructure improvements
- Access to strong local banks and competitive utility rates
Click here to learn more about Georgia’s full range of business tax credits and programs.
Millage Rates
| Jurisdiction | Millage Rate |
|---|---|
| City of Hazlehurst | 8.000 |
| Jeff Davis County | 12.175 |
| Jeff Davis County Schools | 14.000 |
Sales Tax: 8% total (4% state + 4% local)
Corporate Tax
Georgia’s corporate income tax is 5.39%, with a single-factor apportionment formula that applies only to sales within the state—benefiting businesses that serve out-of-state clients.
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