Issue link: http://savannah.uberflip.com/i/1521944
36 SAVANNAHCHAMBER.COM A Robust Economy Savannah thrives because of its diverse economy — a healthy mix of tourism, manufacturing, distribution and entrepreneurship. H Y U N D A I M O T O R G R O U P M E T A P L A N T A M E R I C A 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 electric cars to sugar and construction equipment, Savannah's manufacturing sector is key to its economic vitality. Currently, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is constructing a $7.59 billion electric vehicle and battery plant just outside Savannah in Bryan County — a project expected to generate 8,500 jobs at that plant alone and a total of 15,400 when the component manufacturers locating nearby are taken into consideration. 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 16. Recently, the Savannah Logistics Innovation Center (SLIC) was created as a public-private partnership that includes Savannah Economic Development Authority, Georgia Southern University, Savannah State University, Savannah Technical College, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), Georgia Power, Foram and the Georgia Department of Transportation. The SLIC combines innovative minds, companies and industry-changing technology to create company specifi c solutions, foster supply-chain research opportunities for the region's higher education, drive business and growth opportunities for local startups, and create an accelerator program for logistics- and supply- chain-related companies. A BUSTLING PORT The Port of Savannah helps drive Savannah's — and Georgia's — economy, steadily setting and then breaking volume records year over year. The port is already the largest, fastest- growing and third-busiest container terminal in the country. With ambitious capacity expansion plans, major capital improvements are constantly under way at the Port of Savannah's two Georgia Ports Authority facilities, Ocean Terminal and the Garden City Terminal. GPA has experienced growth of 11% in total container trade during the fi rst three months of calendar year 2024. The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project has now deepened the Savannah River channel to accommodate today's 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 port's rail capacity and is more than halfway complete, plus ongoing road improvements involving Interstates 95 and 16, and you've got a logistics trifecta. In March 2023, ports offi cials announced the GPA now handles one out of every 8.8 twenty-foot-equivalent container units (loaded) in the U.S., its highest national market share ever. G E O R G I A P O R T S A U T H O R I T Y W O R K I N G H E R E Georgia Ports Authority Auto production at Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is slated to begin in Q4 2024.