In today’s fast-paced business environment, company success depends on delivering goods quickly, efficiently, and affordably. In Georgia, an unparalleled infrastructure seamlessly connecting air, ports, rail and roads is the catalyst for advanced manufacturers and others competing in the global marketplace.

“Thanks to long-term investments, Georgia’s logistics networks have become a gateway to the entire United States. In many cases, one of the first questions companies ask about is connectivity. The connectivity and speed-to-market service Georgia provides has led to record-breaking economic investment and trade, year after year – even during a global pandemic,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Pat Wilson.

Georgia’s comprehensive infrastructure includes the world’s most efficient airport, the most extensive rail system in the Southeast, and the nation’s fastest-growing port. These assets, together with miles of highways, smooth the way for companies to reach national and international customers. Altogether, Georgia handles and hauls more than $900 billion of cargo each year.

The state’s logistics network is both powered and utilized by more than 15,000 logistics establishments. Americold, Delta Air Lines, GreyOrange, The Home Depot, Norfolk Southern, and UPS are just a few of the logistics companies headquartered in Georgia. These leaders were recently joined by German multinational liner shipping company Hapag-Lloyd, which is locating its North American headquarters in metro Atlanta.

Exceptional transportation advantages: Hartsfield Airport

By air from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, businesses can reach 80% of the U.S. market within two hours. One of the largest air cargo hubs in

North America, Hartsfield-Jackson provides more than 2 million square feet of warehousing in its three cargo complexes. Eight other commercial airports in the state provide vital connections.

By land, Georgia companies can reach 80% of U.S. markets in less than two days. In addition to 20,000 miles of federal and state highways, including two major transcontinental highways, Georgia hosts two Class 1 railroads and 24 short lines that together move almost 200 million tons of cargo over 5,000 miles of rail each year.

The state’s deepwater ports process a range of cargo diversity, from containers to cars. The Port of Savannah, home to the largest single container terminal in North America and the fastest-growing container gateway in the United States, handled more than 519,300 TEUs in May this year, an all-time high for the port. The Port of Brunswick is the nation’s top terminal for new automobile imports. Additionally, the Georgia Ports Authority is rapidly expanding its inland port system to provide cross-state efficiency.

Over 60 facilities in Georgia comprise the world’s largest cold storage network. Four of the five top global companies for refrigerated warehousing are located in Georgia, including the world’s largest, Lineage Logistics, which will invest $62 million in a new facility near the Port of Savannah.

“Lineage’s new facilities in this high-demand location will provide additional capacity and value-added services in a critical market for our customers,” said Greg Lehmkuhl, Lineage’s President and CEO. “We are constantly looking for ways to maximize and further streamline Lineage’s total supply chain, and our meaningful growth in Savannah will offer customers increased access to faster, more reliable distribution opportunities to markets across the Southeast.”