Georgia Medical Center Authority (GMCA)

Established in 2000, The Georgia Medical Center Authority (GMCA) is a statewide authority established by the Georgia General Assembly to advance the life sciences industry based in the State of Georgia through the provision of research, development and manufacturing facilities and programs. The Georgia Medical Center Authority helps advance the life sciences industry state-wide by providing up to $300 Million in revenue bonds for research, development, and manufacturing facilities, and by managing BioBusiness Centers, which serve as business accelerators for established, startup and post-incubator life sciences companies. The Georgia Medical Center Authority's vision is to advance the growth of Georgia's life sciences industry by facilitating the creation and retention of biomedical jobs, having substantial impact on Georgia's economy and the health of its citizens. The Georgia Medical Center Authority conceptualized the creation of business accelerator facilities in 2005 as a result of strong demand for space by post-incubator and start-up entrepreneurs in the Life Sciences industry (medical device, bioinformatics, medical software, telemedicine, and biotech). The Augusta BioBusiness Center (ABBC), the authority's flagship business accelerator facility, is located in historic, downtown Augusta, Georgia. This 17,000 sq. ft. facility, which features wet and dry laboratories and offices, currently hosts three life sciences companies, two of which were 'born' at the Medical College of Georgia.