Issue link: http://savannah.uberflip.com/i/1542376
24 8 To the south in Bryan County at the Raydient development, commercial activity began emerging in 2025 with continued growth likely to include initial work on a grocery store in 2026. Development at Heartwood broke ground in mid-2025 and will continue into 2026 as the area grows into a 25 acre hub of shopping, dining, and entertainment. Kessler Investments group plans for a major hotel and entertainment district in the Heartwood neighborhood that leverages the area's historical ties to Henry Ford. Real Estate: Logistics and Distribution The industrial and logistics market increased its footprint in the region by about 14 million square feet in 2025, increasing total inventory to 168 million square feet. This is consistent with delivery of logistics product in the past several years although somewhat less than the delivery of about 25 million square feet in each of 2022 and 2023. Roughly 63 million square feet have entered regional inventory since 2022 and accordingly, vacancy rates have increased to reach 10.6% at the end of 2025 from less than 1% in 2022. This is a familiar pattern for this type of development. Exceptionally low vacancy rates spur investment and the delivery of the additional inventory in large chunks which is subsequently absorbed by market demand. Vacancy rates are expected to decline modestly in 2026 as absorption just outpaces new delivery of product. In the seven county Savannah-Hinesville-Statesboro CSA as of early 2025, a total of 1,027 firms employ 22,026 workers in the distribution and warehousing sector. Average weekly wages for these workers was $1,177 which increased 4.5% from 2024. Chatham County added 3 firms in the logistics industry. In total, the 726 business establishments employ about 15,700 workers. 1,790 workers in the sector are GPA employees and 2,700 International Longshoremen union members support port operations. In Port Wentworth, Industrial investment reached a milestone with the groundbreaking of the nearly $1 billion Dermody Logistics Hub at the Port Wentworth Commerce Center. The development will deliver millions of square feet of Class A logistics and distribution space, capitalizing on direct access to I-95, GA-21, and the Port of Savannah. The project will generate significant job creation, expand the industrial tax base, and strengthen Port Wentworth's position as a key node in the regional logistics network. Utility, water, sewer, and stormwater enhancements are supporting rising development volumes and ensuring system reliability. These improvements are critical to accommodating the city's expanding residential, commercial, and industrial footprint. Effingham County's 85 logistics firms employ about 750 workers and it continues to grow. Aertssen Logistics continued its strong growth, expanding into an additional 250,000-square-foot building to support its North American operations in heavy equipment assembly and logistics. Medlog opened a nearly 300,000-square-foot blast-freeze facility, creating 100 new jobs and significantly expanding the county's cold-chain logistics capacity. Bryan County registered substantial growth in the logistics sector in 2025. The number of establishments increased to 48 and employment in the sector increased 24% in one year to 1,620 workers. In Liberty County, 49 establishments in the logistics sector employ about 1,843 workers, a 2.4% gain from 2024. Tradeport East Business Center remains a focal point for logistics and distribution. Westin Furniture recently completed its 250,000-square-foot facility and plans to employ 80 people initially. The company anticipates adding assembly operations and doubling its workforce as business scales. Creative Home Ideas, a leader in home goods, has also finished construction on a 580,000-square-foot distribution and assembly center in Tradeport East. Once fully operational, the facility will create more than 70 jobs, reinforcing Liberty County's role as a hub for home goods distribution. Bulloch County gained 6 establishments in the logistics sector, increasing the number of firms in the sector to 85. Employment in logistics increased 19%, rising to 1,581 from 1,460 in 2024. The Walmart distribution center continues to operate at full capacity and employs 800 workers. Long-term prospects for logistics and distribution in the region remain strong, given the region's excellent transportation and distribution infrastructure. The Savannah metro area is an important node in the nation's distribution network. Acknowledgements With the greatest of appreciation, contributions to this report were provided by the economic development authorities of Savannah, Bryan County, Bulloch County, Effingham County, Liberty County, Port Wentworth, and Wayne County. Numerous individuals and industry insiders with the region's private and public sector employers contributed data, information, updates, and commentary which enhanced the completeness of the forecast. Thank you!