Issue link: http://savannah.uberflip.com/i/1521944
32 SAVANNAHCHAMBER.COM L I V I N G H E R E BULLOCH COUNT Y Nestled in Georgia's scenic coastal plain, Bulloch County offers a blend of rich farmland and wooded areas dense with magnolia, oak and pine trees. Much of the county's landscape is dedicated to farmland and timber, yet it also hosts a growing number of industries, including three Hyundai suppliers. At its heart lies Statesboro, a quintessential college town home to Georgia Southern University. This public university contributes to Statesboro's — and the larger county's — vibrant, dynamic community. With an enrollment of approximately 26,000 students, Georgia Southern is known for its strong academic programs, including nationally recognized business, engineering and nursing schools, as well as its diehard sports culture (Go, Eagles!). SOUTH CAROLINA LOWCOUNTRY The Savannah River, which forms a border between Georgia and South Carolina, sets the stage for a lively back-and-forth between the two states. Georgians travel to Hilton Head Island to sample its resort lifestyle and sandy beaches, and to Beaufort and Bluffton for the laid-back artistic vibe. And South Carolinians cross the river to enjoy the charms of Savannah. To a lesser extent, some of those residents cross state lines for employment opportunities as well. In nearby Beaufort County and adjacent Jasper County, you'll fi nd a sportsman's paradise of fi shing and hunting opportunities, not to mention golf galore. Some of the area's most luxurious homes can be found in Palmetto Bluff, a residential private club and resort community of 20,000 acres enriched by wilderness and wildlife and 32 miles of unspoiled riverfront and salt marshes. And if the daily grind is a thing of the past, this area boasts a wealth of retirement communities, offering a fulfi lling lifestyle for retirees among a stunning waterfront setting, with marshes, beaches, rivers and more, all just a stone's throw away. is Waterways, a master-planned community with a conservation-based design built around more than 5 miles of navigable waterways. Already in place is the Ford River & Field Club, a gated community of second and third homes located on the former site of auto magnate Henry Ford's country estate. It is only fi tting that Bryan County is the home of an electric vehicle assembly plant — Ford was a major fi gure in the development of Richmond Hill. EFFINGHAM COUNT Y Trade Savannah's hustle and bustle for rural tranquility in Effi ngham County, located just west of Chatham County. Green ranches and family farms are at every turn across municipalities like Rincon, Guyton and Springfi eld, the county seat. In fact, many of the organic farmers, horticulturists and ranchers present at the weekly Forsyth Farmers Market in downtown Savannah reside in Effi ngham County, growing produce, raising grass-fed cows and hogs, packaging their own jellies, jams and honeys, and adding to the agricul- tural richness of the area. The county is rich in history, too: Jerusalem Lutheran Church, the oldest continuously operat- ing Lutheran Church in the country, dates back to the 1730s. Effi ngham County's peaceful feel hides its growing industrial presence. As home to two supplier plants for the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, the county now plays a crucial role in supporting the automotive industry's expan- sion in the region. LIBERT Y COUNT Y Liberty County has been chosen as a site for an incom- ing Hyundai plant supplier and is home to the U.S. Army's Fort Stewart, the largest military installation east of the Mississippi River. Fort Stewart is the beating heart of the county, providing vital support to the local community while serving as a key contributor to the region's economic stability and growth. Military service members, retirees and civilians alike have their choice of tranquil communities in the county, like Hinesville, Riceboro and Midway. L A T I T U D E M A R G A R I T A V I L L E H E A R T W O O D A T R I C H M O N D H I L L Heartwood at Richmond Hill Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head