The fastest-growing region in America
People and companies keep moving South: a bigger market for your products and more talent every year.
3 in 4new Americans since 2020 live in the South
Why the South
Where Belgian business grows.
The American Southeast has been one of the fastest-growing markets in the country for many years, and it is home to one of the largest Belgian business communities in the United States. Here are the top reasons why so many Belgians have chosen the South for their business, and for their lives.
Ten reasons to choose the South
Only a six-hour time difference with Belgium
Your morning overlaps with the afternoon at head office, so daily calls fit office hours on both sides.
6 hagainst 9 h from the West Coast
Nonstop flights to Belgium
Delta flies Atlanta to Brussels nonstop. Head office, customers and family are one overnight flight away.
ATL → BRUone overnight flight, no connections
Source
FlyMag, 2025 ↗Easy access to major Atlantic ports
Savannah and Charleston are among the busiest container ports on the East Coast, with fast routes to Europe.
8.3Mcontainers a year through GA and SC ports
Atlanta is one of the major logistics hubs
Three interstates meet in Atlanta, backed by rail and air freight. Serve the East, South and Midwest from one hub.
80%of the US market within a 2-day truck drive
Hartsfield-Jackson Airport
The world's busiest airport flies nonstop to every major US city. Visiting a customer anywhere is a day trip.
106.3Mpassengers in 2025, the most in the world
Source
ACI World, 2025 ↗A wonderful climate to enjoy
Mild winters, long springs and falls, and plenty of sunshine. Golf in February, dinner outside in October.
12°Caverage January high in Atlanta (54°F)
Source
NOAA normals 1991-2020 ↗An abundance of talent to hire
A large workforce that keeps growing as people move South. All seven of our states are right-to-work states.
32.5Mpeople in the labor force in our seven states
Operational costs below the US average
Lower living and operating costs keep salaries, housing and office budgets in check across the region.
86-97cost of living index, 6 of 7 states (US = 100)
Source
MERIC, Q2 2026 ↗Southern states want your business!
States compete for new investment with tax credits, grants and free training for your new hires.
$0to train new hires through Georgia Quick Start
Figures checked in October 2026. Want more? See all our facts by the numbers.
Belgians already here
They made the move. So can you.
UCBSmyrna, GA
US headquarters of the Brussels biopharma leader
SyensqoAlpharetta, GA
North American home of its specialty polymers
Beaulieu (Beauflor)Bartow County, GA
Vinyl flooring plant on 120 acres
BaltaRome, GA
Distribution center for its rugs
International Flooring Co.Dalton, GA
Flooring, led by the Dossche family
BekaertMarietta, GA
North American office for steel wire
Aertssen LogisticsRincon, GA
Equipment center near the Port of Savannah
AB InBevCartersville, GA
Anheuser-Busch brewery, 48 products to 32 states
Lotus BakeriesMebane, NC
Every US-made Biscoff cookie
BarcoGwinnett County, GA
Americas headquarters
OMPAtlanta, GA
US office of the supply chain planning leader
BoplanSuwanee, GA
US team for flexible safety barriers
Setting up here
We help you land well.
BACoS members have walked this road themselves. We connect you with the people who can help, from the first question to the first customer.
- A Mentor who knows the wayBACoS Launchpad connects you with a local member who made the same move.
- Advisors who know both sidesLegal, tax, banking and site selection experts among our members.
- Talent from BelgiumBring interns and trainees over with our J-1 visa program.
- Peers to grow withShare challenges with fellow leaders at our member events.