The quality of an area's labor force is vitally important when considering relocation or expansion of industry. Augusta-Aiken MSA has a growing population, which is young, diverse, educated and upwardly mobile. Funded by the state of Georgia, the Quick Start program also guarantees a consistent supply of trained workers for new and existing industries' fast startups. Georgia is a right to work state, which prohibits the existence of closed union shops, maintenance of membership clauses, preferential hiring and any other stipulations mandating union membership.
Union membership is significantly low.
Non-durable goods workers represent the majority of an estimated 11.9 percent local employment union base. In the last three years there has been no union activity.