Skip to main content

Warehousing and Distribution

Georgia: Logistics Hub for Global Markets

Why Georgia for Warehousing and Distribution?

With superior highway access to the eastern U.S. market, growing port connections to the world and an abundance of workers at low relative wages, Georgia is the ideal location for the warehousing and logistics industry. The state is home to over 900 million square feet of warehouse distribution space, with metro Atlanta – the largest market in Georgia and sixth largest in the U.S. – accounting for 600 million square feet.

Georgia's strengths:

  • Well-developed transportation infrastructure
  • Low operating costs
  • Highly-skilled workers
  • Renowned workforce training program
  • Excellent accessibility to market
  • Business-friendly environment

Georgia Leads

5,000 +

Miles of Rail Through Georgia

CSX and Norfolk Southern

9,500

Daily Truck Transactions at GA Ports

Georgia Ports Authority

900 M

Square Feet of Warehouse Space in GA

CoStar 2023

Recent Warehouse Distribution Locations in Georgia

Over the last five years, warehouse distribution operations have added more than 27 million square feet of space in the Georgia market. Locations across the state are ideal for warehouse distribution. Here are a few recent examples of companies now calling Georgia home.

Amazon to open new distribution center in Newnan, Ga., create 500 jobs

"Amazon is proud to serve customers across Georgia and throughout the southeast region of the U.S. Georgia has been integral to Amazon’s ability to provide the great selection, competitive prices, and super-fast Prime shipping speeds we know our customers love. We are excited to add an additional 500 full-time jobs, industry-leading pay, and benefits starting for employees on day one, to the 3,500 Georgians already working for the company across the state.”

Alicia Boler Davis, Vice President of Global Customer Fulfilment for Amazon

Source: Atlanta Business Chronicle, January 2020

Radial, Inc. to Invest $40 Million in E-Commerce Fulfillment Center in Locust Grove

“We’re thrilled to be opening a new fulfillment center in the State of Georgia. This site will join our existing network of more than 20 fulfillment centers across the country. The demands on e-commerce throughout the year have been unprecedented and the opening of this facility in Locust Grove reinforces our commitment to our clients and our ability to support their e-commerce needs. We’re excited to be creating so many new jobs for Henry County residents and look forward to welcoming them to the Radial team.”

Ilias Simpson, Senior Vice President, Radial, Inc.

Source: State of Georgia, Office of The Governor Press release, October 2020

Largest Warehouses and Distribution Centers in Georgia

  • Burlington (Pembroke), 2 million square feet
  • Amazon (Appling), 2.8 million square feet
  • JC Penney (Forest Park) 2.2 million square feet
  • Target (Savannah), 2 million square feet
  • Walmart (Statesboro), 3 million square feet
  • Shaw Industries(Rincon), 1.9 million square feet
  • Academy Sports (Jeffersonville), 1.86 million square feet
  • DHL/Kimberly Clark (McDonough), 1.6 million square feet
  • Excel/Proctor & Gamble (Albany), 1.6 million square feet
  • Excel/General Mills (Social Circle), 1.5 million square feet
  • Kenco/Whirlpool (McDonough), 1.5 million square feet
  • Auto Zone (Lavonia), 1.5 million square feet
  • Target Corp. (Midway), 1.5 million square feet
  • Target Corp. (Tifton), 1.5 million square feet
  • The Clorox Sales Company(Tifton), 1.5 million square feet
Locations by Square Feet

Workforce

408 k

Total Warehouse-Related Jobs

Lightcast, 2023

+13%

2023 - 2033 Growth in Warehouse Jobs

Lightcast, 2023 (Absolute Job Growth, 2023 to 2033)

$18.30

Georgia Median Hourly Earnings

Lightcast, 2023

Explore Your Workforce

Discover your community's readiness for warehousing and distribution by exploring existing industry-related talent close to home.

Abundant Talent for Less

Growth in Georgia's warehouse distribution talent will outpace that of the U.S. overall over the next decade. As a state known for its high-quality, affordable workforce, Georgia continues to provide highly competitive wage rates.

  • Projected growth of 13% in warehouse distribution-related jobs over the next decade compared to 9% at the national level
  • Median hourly earnings of $16.37 compared to $17.59 nationally

Georgia offers an ample supply of skilled employees with a variety of technical backgrounds important to the success of warehouse distribution operations. There are currently more than 400,000 Georgians with highly relevant skill-sets in twelve unique occupations important for the industry.

Supply Chain Expertise

96,000

Supply Chain Experts in Georgia

Lightcast Profile Analytics, 2023

30

Supply Chain Courses at Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech Continuing Education

$900B

Annual cargo handled and hauled via GA

World Trade Center Savannah, 2023

Geogia: Highly Competitive Market for Warehouse Distribution

With an overall cost of doing business index of 93.0, Metro Atlanta is one of the most cost-effective locations in the country. Savannah, one of the top warehouse distribution hubs in the nation, is also one of the country's most affordable places to do business with a cost of doing business index of 81.0 . Operational costs include hourly labor, benefits, land, construction, property taxes and utilities. When comparing Savannah's cost structure with that of other major areas like The Meadowlands, NJ ($18.7 million), Inland Empire, CA ($17.7 million) or Denver, CO ($16.6 million), the benefits of establishing a warehouse distribution location in Savannah or Georgia are clear.

Cost-related benefits of establishing a warehouse distribution location in Georgia:

  • Low state corporate tax rate of 5.75%
  • Low overall cost of doing business
  • Competitive wage rates with low unionization
  • Tax exemptions on warehouse inventory in some areas

Warehousing and Logistics Publication

Warehousing and Logistics