Issue link: http://savannah.uberflip.com/i/1521944
30 SAVANNAHCHAMBER.COM West Savannah WEST CHATHAM COUNT Y West Chatham County serves as the hub of Savannah's booming industrial and manufacturing sector, with four rapidly expanding municipalities: Bloomingdale, Garden City, Pooler and Port Wentworth. BLOOMINGDALE As the westernmost of Chatham County's munici- palities, Bloomingdale has held on to its rural feel and small-town vibe longest. But development is now in full swing, with new housing neighborhoods at a variety of price points, new schools where students can go from kindergarten through high school graduation on adjoining campuses, and an expanded array of improved municipal services. This fresh suburban experience comes with easy access to Pooler, down- town Savannah and the beaches of Tybee Island, not to mention straight shots to Interstates 16 and 95 for travelers or commuters to other counties. GARDEN CIT Y Part industrial, part residential, Garden City, located just southwest of Savannah, balances economically vital industrial parks with a mix of well-established and newly minted housing. Centrally located and with easy access to all of the county's attractions, Garden City boasts a wealth of youth sports facilities. It is also home to the Georgia Department of Agriculture's State Farmers Market, open daily. POOLER More than 28,700 people call Pooler home, but this bustling city is also increasingly where the rest of Chatham County comes to shop and dine. Once sleepy and semi-rural, Pooler has grown into a maze of modern, amenity-fi lled and family-oriented neighborhoods. Entertainment resources range from golf to an IMAX screen that bills itself as the world's tallest, along with all the youth sports and recreation facilities that accompany a classic suburban childhood. Shoppers fl ock to Tanger Outlets and a full array of big-box stores. Savannah's airport is practically right next door, making this area particularly attractive for those who travel frequently for business. PORT WENT WORTH Port Wentworth has embraced the "live, work, play" lifestyle mantra that has become so popular among growing urban and near-urban cities. An example? The Savannah Ghost Pirates, a minor league hockey team whose home ice is in Savannah's Enmarket Arena, are building a $25 million practice rink here as part of an extensive civic and entertainment district that will include such things as an amphitheater and playing fi elds. The town itself boasts historic roots and access to the Savannah River, including the county-operated Houlihan Boat Ramp, open to the public free of charge. UNINCORPORATED CHATHAM COUNT Y Some larger residential communities within western unin- corporated Chatham County include Berwick, Georgetown and Southbridge. Berwick includes several distinct newer neighborhoods crisscrossed by wide sidewalks, connected by golf, tennis and fi tness facilities and close to convenient shopping. Georgetown was one of the Southeast's fi rst master-planned suburban communities and now includes a variety of single-family homes, condominiums and apart- ment homes, along with two schools, a community center and plentiful family amenities. Just west of the Savannah city limits, Southbridge offers a variety of newer, larger homes averaging 2,900 square feet. A large golf course and community resort encourage neighborly interaction. Neighboring Counties BRYAN COUNT Y Bryan County, to the south and southwest of Savannah, is a case study in rapid growth with the advent of the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America. Expansion pressures were already in play, as residents were willing to commute to jobs so they could raise families in Bryan County, known for its excellent schools. Part of Fort Stewart, the sprawling military installation with footholds in several counties, covers the middle third of the county. Pembroke is a true stand-in for the classic Small Town USA — the county seat that recalls the county's agricultural past and is now the locus of intense development around the Hyundai electric vehicle assembly plant. Meanwhile, Richmond Hill has been developing as a bedroom community for decades, serving as home base for both military personnel and commuters to Savannah jobs. Now, homes are springing up in Heartwood at Richmond Hill, a 7,000-acre swath of land that will eventually hold 10,000 single-family residences. Also under development L I V I N G H E R E G R E A T E R P O O L E R C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E A N D V I S I T O R S B U R E A U Tom Triplett Park