Business is Expanding on the Georgia Coast

If you need to know what's happening on the Coast of Georgia - look no further than Community Manager Jason Coley. While recent announcements, like Hyundai Motor Group, have made global headlines, there is growth across every corner of the Southeast and Coastal Georgia regions.

"It's been an incredible year for site selection and business expansion. Local communities have been working hard, from site development, investing in infrastructure, to strengthening their workforce." Jason said about the record-setting growth in the State.

Jason's not the only one talking about the region's success- on August 4, local communities and leaders gathered for the annual Good News Gathering. Over fifty representatives from economic development organizations, state, and regional partners met in Richmond Hill, Georgia, to share updates and discuss opportunities for collaboration.

Odessa Archibald, Manager of Community Development, shared her perspective as a statewide manager, "The State is reporting new business locations and local expansions everywhere. New technologies and industries like electric transportation have spurred growth in coastal and rural communities. It truly is an exciting time to be in Georgia!"

The good news was plenty, including many updates focused on collaboration between counties, state organizations, and the private sector. A few highlights from the event include:

• Georgia Quick Start is growing. In cooperation with Quick Start, the Technical College System of Georgia is expanding the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center in Savannah and building a new Quick Start Training Center dedicated to Electric Transportation.
• The OneGeorgia Authority approved the more than $2.3 million in Rural Innovation Grant funding to convert the St. Mary's Airport into an industrial park. Located near the St. Mary’s Railroad, the park will support new and expanding industrial projects in Camden County.
• Several counties have strengthened their regional impact through collaboration. Appling, Bacon, Jeff Davis County and Pierce Counties are improving their rail assets by partnering on a new rail spur. Also, the City of Swainsboro and Emanuel County have created a JDA to promote a balanced economy and simplify the permitting process.
• Rural communities are investing in entrepreneurship and local innovation. Tombs County recently received approx. $4M in Rural Downtown Development Funds to support the construction of the Great Vidalia Center for Rural Entrepreneurship. The center will complement their participation in the CREATE program (Cultivating Rural Economic and Transforming Economies).

Regarding good news on the Georgia Coast, these highlights are just the tip of the barrier island! Contact Jason Coley to learn more about the opportunities and growth in Southeast and Coastal Georgia.

Good News Across the State

Watch recaps of all of our Good News Gatherings at our YouTube channel.