2021 By the
Numbers

Amazon

On Friday, May 7, 2021, Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Amazon would expand its significant presence in Georgia with a new fulfillment center in Savannah that would feature innovative Amazon robotics technology and create 1,000 full-time jobs.

“I appreciate Amazon’s continued commitment to creating well-paying e-commerce jobs for hardworking Georgians and look forward to the positive impact it will bring to the coastal region,” said Governor Kemp. “Georgia’s connectivity, combined with smart planning and investment, has helped our state secure its spot as the No. 1 state for logistics and infrastructure and enhances our ability to attract major investments from world-renowned companies like Amazon.”

Employees at the approximately 640,000-square-foot Savannah facility, located on Pine Meadow Drive, will work alongside Amazon’s innovative robotics technology to pick, pack, and ship smaller customer orders, such as books, toys, and small household goods.

“Amazon is proud to serve customers across Georgia and throughout the southeast region of the U.S.,” said Melissa Nick, Vice President of Customer Fulfillment at Amazon. “Amazon has found an outstanding workforce, strong local support, and incredible customers in the state, and we look forward to creating these new, full-time jobs…”

“Today is an exciting day to welcome the massive expansion of Amazon in Savannah,” said John Coleman, Savannah Economic Development Authority Chairman of the Board of Directors. “With a strong regional workforce talent pipeline and some of the best infrastructure in the country, the Savannah Economic Development Authority stands ready to assist Amazon as they grow and thrive in Savannah.”

“For over a decade, Amazon has been a valued partner to Georgia,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “While it’s no secret that the state’s prime location in the Southeast puts Georgia at a competitive advantage for attracting e-commerce and logistics-focused companies, it is the seamless relationships with our sister agencies such as the Georgia Department of Transportation, Georgia Ports Authority, and our local communities and utility partners, that allow us to deliver on our mission of creating a wide variety of jobs and opportunities for Georgians. Many thanks to Amazon for continuing to invest in Georgia.”

NANTRenewables

In September 2021, bioplastics company NANTRenewables, a subsidiary of NantWorks, announced it would invest up to $29 million to build a manufacturing facility at SeaPoint Industrial Terminal Complex in Savannah. This venture will create 134 manufacturing jobs in Chatham County.

“I’m glad to welcome NANTRenewables to the number one state for business,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. “With our conservative, pro-business policies and world-class infrastructure assets, I am confident NANTRenewables will thrive in the Peach State. I look forward to the solid manufacturing jobs this company will create for hardworking Georgians in our coastal region – specifically in a Federal Opportunity Zone.”

NANTRenewables will manufacture unique biogenic renewable mineral plastic enhancers designed to improve performance, reduce cost and minimize the overall carbon footprint of finished products. NANTRenewables uses a renewable and self-generating biogenic mineral to produce biodegradable, daily-use products like plates, straws, cutlery, trays and cups. Additionally, NANTRenewables provides sustainable, value-added products to several other companies within the food, agriculture, and pharmaceutical industries.

“We selected SeaPoint for our new biogenic fillers and bioplastics manufacturing facility because of our shared values focused on sustainability as well as the site’s development-ready network of infrastructure, including roads, rail access, sea access, and nearby utility connections at this impressive industrial complex,” said Harold Meherg, a NANTRenewables senior executive. “We look forward to building our newest plant in Savannah.”

The new NANTRenewables manufacturing facility is being built on an 8.5-acre rail-served parcel at SeaPoint Industrial Terminal Complex in Savannah. This innovative multi-use industrial park is located in a Federal Opportunity Zone and also provides rail and direct deepwater access on the main shipping channel in Savannah.

“On behalf of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, I would like to congratulate NANTRenewables for choosing to locate at the SeaPoint Industrial Terminal Complex in Savannah,” said Trip Tollison, Savannah Economic Development Authority President and CEO. “The new manufacturing facility is a great fit for Savannah, and we look forward to watching them grow in our community.”

“Solutions-oriented companies continue to flock to Georgia thanks to our pro-business, innovation-centered environment, which has helped cultivate an entire sustainability ecosystem,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Many thanks to NANTRenewables for creating jobs and opportunities in Savannah and across the region. I look forward to seeing the additional growth opportunities SeaPoint Industrial Terminal Complex will continue to attract.”

Purchase of the Bryan County Mega-Site

On May 26, 2021 Georgia Governor Brian Kemp announced the authorization to purchase a 2,284-acre economic development site in partnership between the State of Georgia and the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority (JDA). The strategic purchase of the Bryan County Mega-Site is the largest in state history.

Officials from the Georgia Department of Economic Development and members of the JDA, which includes Bryan County, Bulloch County, Chatham County, and Effingham County, came together at the State Capitol to mark the occasion.

“As the top state for business, we remain focused on continuing to provide the project sites needed to attract more key industries and investment,” said Governor Kemp at the time. “It is very encouraging to see a new, fully prepared Mega-Site come online that will create more high-quality jobs for hardworking Georgians. The regional approach between local governments – in coordination with the Georgia Ports Authority and the Department of Economic Development – continues to make doing business in the Peach State easier and more attractive to companies around the world. I am thankful to Bryan, Bulloch, Chatham, and Effingham counties for their partnership on this project.”

The Bryan County Mega-Site is strategically located adjacent to Interstate 16 with immediate access from I-95 and I-16 to 250 major metro areas, including Atlanta, Birmingham, Charlotte, Memphis, and Orlando. The site is less than 30 miles from the Port of Savannah, the single-largest and fastest-growing container terminal in the U.S. with two Class I rail facilities on-site. Rail service to the site is provided by Georgia Central Railway, a short line railway that connects to CSX in Savannah and Norfolk Southern near Macon in Middle Georgia. Industrial utilities are adjacent to the site, and extensive due diligence reports have been completed to reduce barriers to speedy operations.

“The Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority has been focused on the Bryan County Mega-Site for the last six years, and we are excited that the property will now be owned by the Savannah JDA. With more than 2,000 acres, rail that runs along the property line and immediate access to interstates 16 and 95 and the Port of Savannah, this site is the premier Mega-Site in the state of Georgia and the Southeast,” said Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority Chairman Carter Infinger.

“This new Mega-Site, with immediate proximity to multi-modal freight infrastructure, is a tremendous new asset in Georgia’s economic development toolkit,” said Georgia Ports Authority Executive Director Griff Lynch. “The Georgia Ports Authority looks forward to continuing our partnership with the Georgia Department of Economic Development and local development authorities to use this and other assets to create jobs and prosperity for our state and communities throughout the region.”

“The Bryan County Mega-Site is an excellent example of how we work together across county lines to drive economic development in Georgia. This joint effort by the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor JDA is not only ensuring the success of the site, but will also create opportunities for the entire region,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson. “As we are seeing industries transform and demands shift, having an available location like the Bryan County Mega-Site will allow us to meet the needs of rapidly growing corporations and provides them access to all the state’s competitive advantages. We applaud all our partners involved for their foresight and investment in Georgia’s future.”

The Bryan County Mega-Site purchase was made in partnership with the State of Georgia and the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor JDA. Proceeds from the sale of the Chatham County Economic Development Site, purchased by Amazon for a major distribution facility, were used for the purchase of the Bryan County Mega-Site. Located in a military zone, the site includes three parcels: The Mock Tract, Samwilka Inc. Tract and the Butler Tract, LLC.

SEDA Moves Offices

In May 2021, the Savannah Economic Development Authority, World Trade Center Savannah and the Savannah Regional Film Commission relocated to 906 Drayton Street on idyllic Forsyth Park. Originally constructed in 1959, the building was renovated by Greenline Architecture and The Pinyan Company.

Savannah Logistics Innovation Center

Georgia Southern University and the Savannah Economic Development Authority made a major step forward in a partnership that will leverage academic researchers, instructors, government, companies, and financial investors to foster new and commercially viable logistics technologies.

Platform Strategies, headed by Bart Gobeil, was hired to establish the strategic vision and goals for the Savannah Logistics Innovation Center (SLIC) and lead the execution and implementation of its strategic plan.

The SLIC is a public-private partnership led by Georgia Southern University and the Savannah Economic Development Authority as well as additional partners including the Georgia Ports Authority, Savannah State University, Georgia Power, Savannah Technical College, The Foram Group and the Georgia Department of Transportation.

The goals of the SLIC are:

• Establish Savannah as an innovation leader in the supply chain and logistics technology industry.
• Create a supply chain and logistics accelerator program in the Savannah region. The program will support and cater to the needs and demands of the local and regional logistics community.
• Drive business and growth opportunities for local corporate ecosystem in supply chain and logistics startups.

At the time of Gobeil’s hiring, Georgia Southern University President Dr. Kyle Marrero said, “Bart’s experience in Georgia is perfectly suited for this leadership position. We are excited about the possibilities ahead that will leverage the tremendous resources of this region and his experience to, as Bart says, match private sector creativity with public sector opportunities. He will establish a strategic plan for the corporation to cultivate new revenue streams, new programs and new partnerships to further the goals of the Logistics Technology Corridor.”

Gobeil has decades of public and private sector experience. His experience includes oversight of the economic development and state government affairs programs at the Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) in Savannah, Georgia, the fourth largest port in the United States.

“With Bart at the helm, Savannah is poised to become the leader in logistics technology,” said Savannah Economic Development Authority President and CEO Trip Tollison. “The Savannah Logistics Innovation Center can give those in the logistics industry access to world-class research, innovation and a community of innovators that will help them boost efficiency, solve specific technology issues, access to a tech-ready workforce and industry changing technology. Bart will do a terrific job, and we are fortunate to have him at the helm.”

Workforce Initiatives Fund

In December 2019, the Savannah Economic Development Authority approved the creation of the Workforce Initiatives Fund in response to a December 2020 deadline impacting access to affordable childcare for those with CAPS scholarships. Due to COVID, the deadline was moved to December 2021.

Over the next two years, the Workforce Initiatives Fund distributed mini grants to 53 childcare facilities that served 1,694 students with $90,864 distributed.

Economic Development for Educators

Economic Development for Educators was developed in partnership with Savannah Chatham Public School System (SCCPSS) and is hosted by SEDA. Modeled after community leadership programs, SCCPSS selects the cohort of teachers, counselors, administrators, and Work-Based Learning coordinators, while SEDA crafts the agendas for a series of three one-day programs over the course of the academic year.

The goals of the program are to foster more relationships between SCCPSS personnel and local employers, showcase economic trends that highlight growing occupations and industries, contribute to the alignment of academic training and pathways with the forecasted needs of regional employers, and to provide experiential learning that allows educators to better understand economic development and their role within it.

Itineraries include site tours, panel discussions, interactive and competitive games, and experiential learning. Over the course of two full programs, we have had over 40 leaders from SCCPSS engage with nearly 35 different Chatham County employers. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive from participants on both sides, and SEDA has been contacted by other organizations that want to model similar programs in their communities.

From a survey of participants: “The most helpful part was having the opportunity to hear directly from our industry partners and to hear their perspectives around their needs, the market, and the opportunity for our students.”

Savannah Regional Film Commission

The entertainment production industry in the Savannah region rebounded in 2021 with a recorded $114 million in direct spend - the second highest year to date.

The record spend can be attributed to 88 professional productions and 39 student productions filmed in 2021. Production highlights include The Girl from Plainville, the NBCUniversal limited series for Hulu; The Menu, a Searchlight Pictures feature film; Devotion, an epic Korean War drama; and several independent feature films.

In 2021, the Savannah Regional Film Commission was the recipient of several awards including the 2021 Outstanding Film Commission by the Location Managers Guild International for their work on The Underground Railroad, an Amazon television series based on the book by Colson Whitehead. Receiving this award from such a prestigious international organization is not only a huge honor for the SRFC, but a testament to local crew, businesses and community members who work diligently to make Savannah a top-rated film production destination.

The Savannah Regional Film Commission was also honored with the SCAD Salutes Award for its valuable contributions to the community.

Additionally, Savannah was named the number two “Best Small Cities and Towns to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” in MovieMaker magazine’s annual ranking. Savannah has consistently been ranked in the top four since 2015, taking the #1 spot in 2020, 2019, 2017, and 2016. This award shows that Savannah is attractive to filmmakers not only for the lucrative incentives, unique and varied locations, and amazing local crew, but also for the wonderful lifestyle enjoyed in the region while working on productions.

“After a dismal 2020 due to the global pandemic, we are thrilled to see the film and television industry come back stronger than ever in the Savannah region,” said SRFC Executive Director Beth Nelson. “Our local crew members are back at work, businesses are benefiting from production spend and we are seeing an increase in inquiries from studios and production companies who are interested in what Savannah has to offer. All indications are that the trend will persist into 2022, and our region will continue to profit from the growth of the film and television production industry.”

In an effort to better showcase the Savannah region to the entertainment industry, SRFC launched a newly redesigned website in 2021 making it easier than ever for users to choose Savannah as their next production location. The website can be viewed at www.filmsavannah.org.

A promising future lies ahead as the Savannah Economic Development Authority Board of Directors unanimously voted in October 2021 to extend the Savannah Entertainment Production Incentive for an additional three years, extending into 2024. The incentive has proven to be a very valuable tool in attracting productions to the Savannah region, and its continued success is expected.