Letter from SEDA Chairman of the Board
In 2011, The Stanford Research Institute Study identified the five most important sectors of our local economy. These “five pillars” are tourism, healthcare, logistics/distribution, military and advanced manufacturing. They are the economic drivers of investment and job creation for Chatham County. Having such a diverse economy is unique and that diversity has allowed us to weather most economic downturns with minimal pain.
SEDA is constantly evaluating, planning and implementing new ways to support and grow these existing “five pillars” while at the same time searching to attract new business sectors. Industries that will further diversify and strengthen our economy with higher paying jobs grounded in the high tech companies of the future.
The entertainment production sector is an example of such an opportunity. Savannah has long been an attraction to the movie industry but when the State of Georgia implemented the Georgia Film Tax Credit legislation, the opportunity for entertainment production skyrocketed. SEDA capitalized on that legislation by creating additional local financial incentives for entertainment production and partnered with the City of Savannah and Chatham County to develop a comprehensive, coordinated effort to optimize greater entertainment production.
Wayne Gretzky, the great hockey player, was quoted saying “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.” In that spirit, SEDA continues to promote the entertainment production industry but is also focused on developing computer gaming/coding and creative technology industries. That is where the economic future of high tech is destined to be.
Savannah has one of the most unique and valuable assets in the Savannah College of Art and Design. They have, in many ways, been the catalyst for the renaissance of the downtown historic district. More importantly, they are critical to our efforts to create and sustain viable tech industries that will bring higher wage jobs and investment to our county.
Likewise, we are fortunate to have another partner in our efforts to attract the high tech jobs of the future. Advanced Technology Development Center (ATDC), housed out of Georgia Tech, is partnering with SEDA and countywide stakeholders to build an eco-system to nurture and grow this vital business sector.
In addition to SCAD and ATDC, Savannah is fortunate to enjoy a huge presence of additional higher education assets. The planned merger of Armstrong State University into Georgia Southern University will create a combined university enrollment of 21,000 students, making it the fourth largest institution in the state’s university system. The local Armstrong campus will initially house approximately 6,000 students. We also enjoy Savannah State University, the state’s oldest historically black university, Savannah Technical College, Georgia Tech-Savannah, two medical schools associated with Mercer University and Medical College of Georgia, South University’s pharmaceutical school and Savannah Law School.
I would like to thank the SEDA Board of Directors for their hard work and on behalf of our community. Without their support our successes would not have been possible. Additionally, I want to recognize and thank Trip Tollison and the entire SEDA and World Trade Center Savannah staff for their commitment, support and hard work. They are the engine that powers SEDA’s success and vision.
It has been an honor and privilege to serve as Chairman of such an accomplished and distinguished organization. I know that ever-greater accomplishments will occur on their collective watch.
Stephen S. Green
Chairman and CEO
Stephen Green Properties, Inc
