Savannah Chamber

SAVANNAHCHAMBER.COM 37 An Energized Economy Savannah thrives because of its diverse economy — a healthy mix of tourism, manufacturing, distribution and entrepreneurship. C O U R T E S Y G U L F S T R E A M A E R O S P A C E C O R P . Chatham, Bryan and Effi ngham counties comprise the Savannah Municipal Statistical Area. Together, they're home to diverse opportunities led by tourism and hospitality, a dynamic port, health services and government and military operations. The World Trade Center Savannah strengthens and creates new connections between local businesses and global networks. And beneath the canopy of live oaks, a fertile creative community perpetually fueled by greater Savannah's educational institutions fosters imaginative advances in art, design, architecture, fashion and technology. DIVERSE MANUFACTURING & LOGISTICS From business jets and paper to sugar and construction euipment, Savannahs manufacturing sector is key to its economic vitality. In May 2022, Hyundai Motor Group announced a $5.54 billion investment in an electric vehicle and battery plant just outside Savannah in Bryan County a project epected to generate , jobs. Our port makes logistics and distribution a major industry here, and Chatham County and the surrounding area host massive distribution facilities for the nation's largest retailers. Among the newest is Amazon on a site off Interstate . Recently, the Savannah Logistics Innovation Center was created as a public-private partnership that includes Savannah Economic Development Authority, Georgia Southern University, Savannah State University, Savannah Technical College, the Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia Power, Foram and the Georgia Department of Transportation. The SLIC combines innovative minds, companies and industrychanging technology to create company specifi c solutions, foster supply-chain research opportunities for the regions higher education, drive business and growth opportunities for local startups, and create an accelerator program for logistics and supplychainrelated companies. A BUSTLING PORT The Port of Savannah helps drive Savannahs and Georgias economy, steadily setting and then breaking volume records year over year. The port is already the largest, fastestgrowing and thirdbusiest container terminal in the country. As part of the plan to increase capacity by by , major epansion projects are under way at the Port of Savannahs two GPA facilities, Ocean Terminal and the Garden City Terminal. The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project has now deepened the Savannah River channel to accom- modate todays larger ships and give them longer tide windows and the opportunity to carry even heavier loads. Pair that up with the Mason Mega Rail project, which doubles the Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. is bringing 1,600 new jobs and $150 million in capital investment to Chatham County. The project includes the construction of a new Gulfstream Customer Support service center and the expansion of Gulfstream's manufacturing facility for Gulfstream's G400, G500 and G600. W O R K I N G H E R E

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