The results are in from the latest University of Georgia Terry College of Business report on the economic impact of Georgia's deepwater ports, and the Savannah-based Georgia Ports Authority is touting the findings.
This installment of On Our Radar brings details on Georgia ports' economic impact from the previous year.
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Economic impact
Georgia Ports’ economic impact increased by 4% in fiscal
year 2025, according to the UGA report. That amounts to an additional $7 billion in impact compared to fiscal year 2024.
The total annual sales generated by the ports in Georgia is $181 billion, according to the study. There are a total 605,616 full and part-time jobs supported by the ports.
“Ports are economic engines and our GPA employees and our valued partners in Gateway Terminals and the ILA are to be commended for their dedication and hard work contributing to Georgia’s strong economy,” said GPA Board Chairman Alec Poitevint in a press release.
The latest study shows some fruits of GPA’s growth.
The total employment supported by port activity increased by over 44,500 jobs from fiscal year 2021 to fiscal year 2025, according to the press release. Total income yielded by port-supported jobs was $44 billion in fiscal year 2025.
Port customers, suppliers and businesses supported by port users account for 12% of Georgia’s total economic output, the press release said.
“Twelve percent of statewide employment, or almost one out of every eight Georgia jobs, is in some way dependent on the ports,” said Jeff Humphreys, director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia’s Terry School of Business, who conducted the study.
The study is the latest update on an annual report about GPA’s economic impact. This year’s study comes as GPA is amid a $5 billion port infrastructure plan, investments that are self-financed by the authority.
That plan includes adding five container berths at the Port of Savannah and an additional Roll-on/Roll-off berth for autos and heavy machinery in Brunswick.
GPA predicts in its 10-year plan the ports growth will be 55%, the press release said.
“Our mission is to empower businesses to thrive by providing the most cost effective, reliable and efficient port services in the country,” said GPA President Kevin Price in the press release. “When companies locate or expand in Georgia to take advantage of our supply chain, that means jobs and opportunities for Georgians.”
Evan Lasseter is the City of Savannah and Chatham County government reporter for the Savannah Morning News. You can reach him at ELasseter@savannahnow.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Georgia ports fuel $181 billion in state economic impact
