Port trade facilitates business in every region of the state
SAVANNAH, Ga., Oct. 1, 2026 – Georgia’s ports support nearly 28,750 full- and part-time jobs at businesses in Northeast Georgia, according to the latest study from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.
“This report confirms what we’ve seen for years: our Ports are exceptional drivers of job creation and economic activity, both in the booming coastal region and in communities across Georgia,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “As we continue to invest in these unrivaled assets statewide and our broader logistics network, we will build on the positive momentum of recent years and further promote opportunities for hardworking Georgians. On behalf of a grateful state, I want to congratulate and thank all those who work for the ports system for making this another record-breaking year of economic benefit.”
“Every shipment through Savannah and Brunswick fuels Georgia’s economy, supporting businesses, families and communities,” said Griff Lynch, Georgia Ports CEO.
Between FY2021 and FY2025, employment supported by port activity has increased by approximately 5,000 jobs in the 11-county area of Northeast Georgia.
By county, the UGA study found Georgia’s ports support the following number of jobs:
- Barrow: 2,709
- Clarke: 6,475
- Elbert: 964
- Greene: 740
- Jackson: 8,497
- Madison: 334
- Morgan: 1,166
- Newton: 3,533
- Oconee: 1,451
- Oglethorpe: 199
- Walton: 2,679
“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, who conducted the study.
The ports’ total economic impact rose 4 percent or $7 billion in FY2025, compared to the previous year, according to the UGA study. Port activity now supports $181 billion in annual sales across Georgia, equal to 12 percent of the state’s total economic output, up from 11 percent in FY2024.
The activity also generated $10 billion in federal taxes, $3 billion in state taxes and another $3 billion in local taxes.
“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.
The Port of Savannah, the busiest gateway for containerized trade on the South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, handled 5.67 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in fiscal 2026. Its network includes 40 weekly vessel calls, direct interstate access and 42 trains a week serving inland markets.
“Our mission is to empower businesses to thrive by providing the most cost effective, reliable and efficient port services in the country,” said Georgia Ports President Kevin Price. “When companies locate or expand in Georgia to take advantage of our supply chain, that means jobs and opportunities for Georgians.”
At the Port of Brunswick, Colonels Island Terminal has become the nation’s busiest and fastest-growing auto port. Brunswick handles approximately 65,000 vehicles and other Roll-on/Roll-off units a month for domestic and international markets.
Georgia Ports is in the midst of a self-financed, $5 billion investment program spanning Savannah, Brunswick and inland terminals. The plan calls for five container berths in Savannah – the largest berth expansion at any U.S. port – and a fourth berth for Roll-on/Roll-off cargo in Brunswick.
ABOUT GEORGIA PORTS
Georgia’s Ports in Savannah and Brunswick are strategic gateways, creating the most competitive supply chains in the nation with their level of operations, connectivity and supply chain ecosystem. These attributes combined with Georgia’s ranking as the top state to do business for 13 consecutive years create a strong business model for growth. The Port of Savannah is one of the best-connected ports in the U.S. to world markets with 40 ship calls a week, 42 double-stack trains per week and 15,000 truck gate moves daily. The Port of Brunswick is the number 1 ranked U.S. RoRo port by annual volumes for autos and has an increasing amount of machinery cargoes with its expanded high and heavy cargo operating space. GPA has a self-financed investment plan of nearly $5 billion for the next ten years which will see five big ship container berths added in Savannah (the most of any U.S. container port) and a fourth RoRo berth in Brunswick to meet future growth. Over the past 10 years, the GPA board has approved $4.13 billion in infrastructure improvements. As part of GPA’s community engagement efforts, $6 million is being donated to port communities to support a multi-year, local workforce housing initiative, helping over 230 families repair, buy or build a home in the Savannah area since its start in September 2023. For further information, visit gaports.com or contact Edward Fulford, Manager of Media Relations at [email protected] 912-964-3806.
