Savannah Chamber

24 The two nationally recognized medical centers in Savannah, St. Joseph's/Candler and Hospital Corporation of America's (HCA) Memorial University Medical Center serve the healthcare needs of people from across Georgia's southeastern region. St. Joseph's/Candler health care system continues to expand its portfolio of medical facilities in the region. SJ/C is partnering with the Hyundai Metaplant in Bryan County to operate a 7,700-square-foot medical center capable of treating 8,000 employees. The permanent facility will open by May 2024. It will provide a variety of services, including primary care, diagnostics, and injury surveillance, and will transition to a 24/7 treatment center by early 2025. The Richmond Hill Campus broke ground in February 2023 and is expected to be completed by February 2024 and offer primary care, urgent care, and a wellness center in the 15,000 square foot facility. The second phase, which includes a 40,000 square foot facility for imaging, labs, and medical offices, is set to be completed by 2027. The project includes five phases that will cost $70 million to develop and result in 220,000 square feet of medical services on the Richmond Hill campus. SJ/C is increasing its cancer care portfolio by expanding medical oncology to East Coast Regional. They will introduce the only oncology infusion practice in Bulloch County, joining recently opened cancer care facilities in Pembroke and Hinesville of Liberty County. Memorial Health is a notable provider of healthcare in the southeast region of Georgia with a 711-bed academic hospital serving 35 counties in the coastal Georgia and South Carolina area. In 2022, the medical center was designated as a Level I Emergency Cardiac Care Center, the first in southeast Georgia to receive the designation. Memorial is also the region's only certified Level I trauma center, Comprehensive Stroke Center, and Level III neonatal intensive care center. Military The Department of Defense, with Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, is the largest employer in Coastal Georgia. In 2022, there were approximately 28,000 military personnel and civilian defense workers at both facilities. The regional economic footprint is substantial: total military payroll for both bases is approximately $2.1 billion and the facilities combine for an annual economic impact of $5 billion. Fort Stewart along with Hunter Army Airfield serves as the Army's premier power projection platform on the East Coast. Over the last year, the Spartan Brigade of the 3 rd Infantry Division completed the Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model, which included a three-phase process of modernization, training, and mission. The modernization phase provided the division with new ground and rotary wing combat equipment and the training phase was completed in March at the National Training Center. Along with a supporting program that streamlined the division's assets, these efforts position the 3rd ID to be the most modernized and powerful division in the U.S. Army. In September 2023, 4,500 soldiers of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division were deployed to Europe for a nine-month rotation to participate in joint exercises with partner forces to build readiness with allies. Additionally, the 3rd ID took command of the army task force in Poland – replacing the 4th ID – and was aimed at deterring further military action by Russia. The 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade deployed 3,800 soldiers in March 2023 for a nine-month rotation. After training alongside allies in Europe, the soldiers returned home in December 2023. The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport hosts the Savannah Air National Guard Base. The 165 th Airlift Wing, 117 th Air Control Squadron, and 156 th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, based out of Charlotte, NC, operate from the airbase. Real Estate: Residential and Commercial Residential The real estate market for residential property faced significant headwinds in 2023 as prices increased and mortgage interest rates continued their upward climb, rising to about 7.5% by late 2023, up from 6.3% in late 2022. In Chatham County, a total of 5,574 residential units (all types) sold, the second consecutive 17% annual decline. The median residential home price was $320,000, an increase of 8.6% (+$22,500) over the 2022 median sale price of $299,500. The market share of units sold at greater than $300,000 increased to 57% from 49% in 2022. Conversely, the share of homes selling at or below $200,000 declined to 18%

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