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Mercedes rolls into Atlanta

Noel King Feb 12, 2015
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The Mercedes S400 BlueTec diesel/electric hybrid prototype. Sarah Gardner

Mercedes rolls into Atlanta

Noel King Feb 12, 2015
The Mercedes S400 BlueTec diesel/electric hybrid prototype. Sarah Gardner
HTML EMBED:
COPY

Mercedes-Benz USA is leaving New Jersey, where it has been headquartered since the early 70’s, for the Atlanta metro region. People in Atlanta like to say that good, old-fashioned southern hospitality lured Mercedes to the city of Sandy Springs, where the automaker will set up shop in 2017.

Mercedes-Benz USA CEO Stephen Cannon said the move also made financial sense. Atlanta’s low cost of living and low taxes appeal to Mercedes’ employees, and those the company hopes to recruit. Georgia’s business friendly policies including low taxes and low wages for entry-level workers, have helped the state lure an impressive number of large companies over the past several years.

Georgia, however, is still contending with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. And despite the presence of new corporate players, many of the jobs being created are low-wage jobs.

Click the media player above to hear more.

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