The Georgia Center of Innovation hosted its 14th annual Georgia Logistics Summit in Savannah last week. The event is a chance for industry experts to come together and talk technology, economy and other supply-chain related topics. It is also a chance for the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the governor’s office to showcase the policies and strategies they are putting in place to continue to grow the industry in the state.
“With the logistics industry contributing one-in-nine jobs in Georgia, this vital field helps our state remain No. 1 for business,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “Our logistics assets are a critical tool in the state’s toolbox to recruit the industries of tomorrow, and it’s no surprise that job creators consistently cite our logistics network as a reason they choose Georgia. You can truly make anything here and get it markets all over the world.”
Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) Executive Director Griff Lynch announced approximately $1.8 billion in planned investments at the ports this year, including expansions of outgoing rail lines, terminal processing capacity and storage capacity.
“The fact that this year’s Summit sold out weeks before the event speaks to how valuable Georgia’s ports and logistics infrastructure are to businesses,” said GDEcD Commissioner Pat Wilson. “Georgia has consistently made strategic investments guided by market needs and feedback from businesses of all sizes, in every corner of the state. Our Center of Innovation team enhances the many assets that make Georgia unique. This specialized team works alongside the logistics industry and other key Georgia industries to position them for growth, and like today’s event, by connecting them with the other resources and businesses that make doing business easier, more seamless, and more efficient and effective.”
The summit came just a few days before GPA announced that they are handling one out of every 8.8 container units in the U.S., its highest percent in national market share ever. The Port of Savannah alone moved 11.4 percent of the nation’s containers for the first half of Fiscal Year 2023. As Governor Kemp pointed out, the industry is critical to the state’s employment. The ports and terminals alone support more than a half million jobs, contributing some $33 billion in income.
“In 2021, we saw firsthand how unexpected supply chain challenges can disrupt a company’s trajectory,” said Center of Innovation Executive Director David Nuckolls. “Our logistics team stepped up to help companies navigate the port bottlenecks on the West Coast by moving goods through the Port of Savannah, offering guidance that might not be available to businesses in other states because of the Center of Innovation’s unique role. Events like the Georgia Logistics Summit are another way we make sure Georgia’s businesses have access to the knowledge they need.”
