The Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority recently led a group on a tour of the Georgia Port Garden Center and Ocean Terminals in Savannah. The group listened to a presentation by Stacy Watson, General Manager, Economic & Industrial Development at the Georgia Ports Authority and then proceeded on the tour. 

“Georgia Ports Authority continues to positively impact the economy of Georgia. Our strategic location, automation and future development plans bode well for the state into the future,” said Stacy Watson. 

Georgia Ports Authority Highlights: 

- Fourth busiest port in the U.S.

- Fastest growing port by far - 10 year CAGR is 7.1%

- Over 250 port-dependent distribution centers in Georgia

- The population of the Southeast is growing 4 times faster than the Northeast

- Over $1.4 billion planned for investment in the next 10 years 

According to research conducted by UGA’s Terry College of Business, Georgia Ports Authority is essential to the state’s economy: 

- +352,000 plus full and part-time jobs

- $67 billion in sales

- $32 billion in state GDP

- $19 billion in personal income 

Those participating in the tour were: 

Meghan Duke, Community Relations and Marketing Manager Valdosta-Lowndes County Industrial Authority, Leadership Lowndes Class of 2014 

Ben Smith, Marketing Specialist Ashley Furniture Industries, Leadership Lowndes Class of 2014 

Phillip Jones, Network Engineer Nexxtep, Leadership Lowndes Class of 2014 

Jessica Freeman, City of Remerton, Leadership Lowndes Class of 2014 

Kerry Morris, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations Valdosta State University, Leadership Lowndes Class of 2014 

Scott Purvis, Region 11 Project Manager Georgia Power, Leadership Lowndes Alumni Class of 1997 

Kevin McCraney, Regional External Affairs Manager Georgia Power, Leadership Lowndes Alumni Class of 2012 

Lisa Collins, Cook County Development Authority, South Regional Joint Development Authority 

ReKasa Hart, Clinch County Development Authority, South Regional Joint Development Authority