Georgia ports play a crucial role for automakers, suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics operations considering job expansion in Georgia, United States.
“We’re not talking about only Savannah or Atlanta. It’s our mission to drive the success of the entire state. A whole series of recent announcements prove that our efforts are paying off in greater economic opportunity for Georgians in large and small communities,” stated Griff Lynch, CEO and president of Georgia Ports Authority (GPA).
Through collaboration between GPA and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD), the state revealed 350 projects from potential port users in Fiscal Year 2023.
These announcements are expected to generate over 33,000 jobs in manufacturing and logistics and attract investments totalling US$21 billion, benefiting 96 counties statewide.
“GPA, the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Department of Transportation are working to foster responsible growth that delivers good jobs for our neighbours while preserving quality of life. For example, Georgia Ports is investing $29 million in an overpass that will route trucks leaving our Ocean Terminal in Savannah directly onto U.S. 17, avoiding community streets,” added Lynch.
As per the Global Commerce division of GDEcD, the expanding electric vehicle ecosystem in Georgia has made an impact throughout the entire state. This growth is primarily driven by announcements related to the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, which has established operations in over 10 counties across Georgia.
“Companies, especially in e-mobility, are prioritizing speed-to-market solutions. Investing in site development and ‘Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development’ certification are ways communities can prepare for new opportunities,” pointed out Pat Wilson, commissioner at the Georgia Department of Economic Development.
Anovion Technologies, a synthetic graphite manufacturer, is notably creating 400 job opportunities in Southwest Georgia’s Decatur County. During the groundbreaking ceremony, Anovion’s Executive Chairman Chip Dunn highlighted the state’s recruitment efforts, which influenced the company’s decision to establish its presence in rural Georgia. These efforts included meetings with Gov. Brian Kemp and other factors such as the GPA’s inland port system and access to waterway and land transport.
The inland port system comprises the Appalachian Regional Port in Crandall, Ga., and the ongoing construction of the Blue Ridge Connector rail yard near Gainesville, Ga. This system facilitates the transportation of large, heavy products from centrally located communities to the state’s deepwater ports.
In the Savannah region alone, the industrial property inventory now exceeds 11,5 million square meters, with over 1,3 million square meters under construction as of the end of the Calendar Year 2023.
In a fourth-quarter report, Stephen Ezelle, an industrial real estate broker at Cushman & Wakefield, noted that despite a slowing economy across most U.S. markets, the Savannah regional economy continues to expand and demonstrate robust absorption in the industrial sector.
“The outlook for Savannah’s industrial market is still favourable thanks to the continued growth at the Georgia Ports with conservative projections to eclipse 8 million TEUs of throughput by 2030. The operational efficiency offered by the GPA and shift in import cargo from the West Coast and NY/NJ are the key drivers in the growth of Savannah’s industrial market,” said Stephen Ezelle.
Despite the nationwide moderation of container trade, the report suggests that Savannah is poised for sustained, steady growth, largely attributed to the Hyundai announcement and GPA’s increasing national market presence. Ezelle anticipates ongoing absorption of strategically positioned light industrial warehouse space. He noted that Savannah’s industrial sector concluded 2023 with a 7% overall vacancy rate.
“Being within 30 miles is great, but you don’t have to be to be competitive in drayage, lease rates and overall cost of doing business. Forty or 50 miles away from Savannah is an easy drive. That can be attributed to the port’s location upriver of the Savannah population centre, and the Georgia Department of Transportation’s efforts here, making the truck routes to the port less congested and easily accessible,” stated Stacy Watson, director of economic and industrial development at GPA.
Moreover, efficient cargo movement to and from the marine terminal at the Port of Savannah is facilitated by direct truck routes connecting to Interstates 95 and 16, along with on-terminal service provided by two Class I railroads.
Watson noted that despite numerous available locations within a 10-mile radius of the Port of Savannah, properties in Bryan, Liberty, and McIntosh counties, as well as those further west, offer access to interstate and rail connections linking to the port and vibrant inland markets.
