Savannah Chamber

24 Special interest tourism activities such as visiting historic places, seeing cultural attractions, and enjoying exceptional culinary experiences are in high demand among Savannah's leisure tourists compared to national averages. Savannah is unique positioned to satisfy this demand and is poised to continue as a major visitor destination in 2015. Through late 2014, the regional tourism industry continues to contribute to regional economic strength. Boardings at the airport are 10% ahead of last year's pace. Hotel room tax receipts are up 13 percent and are projected to exceed $20 million in 2014. Auto rental sales tax receipts are up 16%. Hotel occupancy rates increased to nearly 71% from 68%. The leisure and hospitality sector, which includes accommodations, food services, arts, entertainment, and recreation, has been one of the fastest growing (+5% annually) sectors since January 2010. It currently is the largest economic sector of the regional employment base, providing work for 24,600 people. Health Services The regional health care sector added 200 workers to stand at 24,000 in 2014. The sector has been a stalwart of economic consistency and growth since 2007. In fact, this sector did not shed employment during the Great Recession and now currently employs nearly 10% more workers than at the peak of the previous economic cycle in mid-2007. The health sector continues to be a vital component of the area's economy and growth prospects are good in the short and long run. A $15 million renovation of St. Joseph's hospital in southside Savannah is was completed in 2014. SJC recently announced the purchase of St. Mary's Community Center in the Cuyler-Brownville neighborhood. The community center opened in 2000 as part of the hospital's mission to serve individuals and families in one of Savannah's poorest districts. SJC now continues to bring various community development programs including workforce development and education in partnership with the Good Samaritan Clinic and the African-American Health Information & Resource Center. Memorial University Medical Center has several notable investment projects under development. In January 2015, the Spellman- Thomas Wing of the Heart and Vascular Institute will open, adding 32 critical care beds. The first phase of the Parker's Emergency and Trauma Center – a major expansion of the emergency department and Level 1 trauma center – will be complete in the first half of 2015. Renovation of existing space is expected for completion in 2016. Late in 2014, it was announced that Quirk Healthcare, a national organization offering leadership, management and technological expertise to help medical organizations compete in the healthcare sector, will relocate its headquarters to Savannah from Miami. The $7 million investment will establish locations in the old Candler Hospital/Savannah Law School and west Chatham and create 150 jobs in Savannah during the next three years. Military Fort Stewart is not only the largest military installation east of the Mississippi River covering nearly 285,000 acres but, combined with Hunter Army Airfield, is one of the largest employers in Coastal Georgia. In 2013, there were 23,149 officers and enlisted military and 4,077 federal civilian employees totaling to 27,226 workers. Civilian employees on base earned a total payroll of $210 million in 2013. Total payroll for both bases was $1.5 billion. With its annual financial impact of $4.9 billion, Fort Stewart and Hunter AAF continue to play an important role in the CMSA economy. Several small-scale deployments will have elements of the Third Infantry Division (3rd ID) overseas during 2015. Two hundred soldiers of the divisional headquarters will deploy to Afghanistan for a training mission focusing on high level operational activities for Afghan security forces. Three hundred soldiers with the 3rd Sustainment Brigade will deploy to Kuwait to provide logistical support for troops in a seven country region. Also, the 82nd Civil Affairs Battalion (about 30 soldiers) will deploy to West Africa to offer support as part of a larger DoD operation to assist with the Ebola outbreak there. In 2015, the Department of Defense is deactivating the 3,500-soldier 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd ID in a move that will cost Fort Stewart about 1,900 soldiers and their families. Several elements of the unit are being transferred to other Fort Stewart units and the 4th Brigade Combat Team will be reflagged as the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in June 2015.

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