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Its strategic location at the intersection of I-75 and I-16, two railroad lines, and a good airport add to the
MSA's attractiveness. Macon's also a remote bedroom community for the southern portion of the Atlanta
MSA, so Atlanta's relatively strong economic recovery will benefit Macon, too.
Savannah
In 2015, Savannah's employment will rise by 2.5 percent, or 4,000 jobs. The urban area's multiple
personality: that of a major tourist attraction, an aerospace manufacturing center, an extraordinarily
successful deep water port, and a regional hub for health and educational services constitutes the grounds
for continuing success. Although the housing bubble hit the metro area hard, it was not very exposed to the
restructuring of either the information or the financial activities industries.
Savannah's long-term growth prospects are among the best in the nation. Its unique ambiance and
transportation infrastructure make it an attractive place in which to live and work. Visitors are drawn to the
thriving historic district, and waterfront developments. Retirees will continue to be an important force
powering and diversifying the region's economic development, but the Savannah area will benefit from the
fact that its population is increasing for all age groups. Gulfstream Aerospace also is a very powerful driver
of the local economy, providing thousands of excellent jobs. Tourism and convention business will continue
to boom, too.
