April 2026 Features

• Register Today for Savannah’s Small Business Week Events

  April 30, 2026

  Savannah will proudly recognize National Small Business Week next week, with a full lineup of seminars, guest speakers, networking events, and trade show opportunities—all designed to celebrate the economic impact and innovation of our local small business community.

• Georgia Recognizes Five 2026 ‘Small Business ROCK STARS’

  April 30, 2026

  Governor Brian Kemp, alongside the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Economic Developers Association, celebrated the five 2026 Small Business ROCK STARS at the GEDA Spring Conference in Savannah.

• Actress Patricia Heaton to Headline St. Joseph's/Candler’s 24th Annual SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo

  April 29, 2026

  Actress, author and entrepreneur Patricia Heaton has a second act to share in Savannah as the keynote speaker at the 24th annual St. Joseph’s/Candler SmartWomen Luncheon & Expo.

• Moneypenny Research Reveals the Customer Caller Experience Gap

  April 29, 2026

  A new report from Moneypenny shows businesses believe they are delivering a better call experience than their customers perceive. The research was commissioned among 2,000 businesses and 2,000 consumers to understand the gap between business and customer perceptions, and across every single contact method tested, businesses scored themselves significantly higher than customers.

• City to Host Open House, Update Findings on Future of Historic Railroad District

  April 28, 2026

  The City of Savannah will host a Drop-In/Open House event on May 4th, on the future of Savannah’s historic Railroad District. This is a key location presenting a potential redevelopment opportunity to bridge connections between the Landmark Historic District, the Civic Center redevelopment site, and historic neighborhoods of West Savannah.

• Georgia Power Reminds Customers to Dig Safely & “Plant the Right Tree in the Right Place” this Spring

  April 28, 2026

  With spring finally arriving in Georgia, many homeowners will be planting and completing home improvement projects. Georgia Power is reminding customers to call 811 before digging and to follow “right tree, right place” guidelines to improve energy efficiency and protect underground utilities during National Safe Digging Month this April.

• SDBA, with Presenting Partners Savannah Area Chamber, Sea Love Savannah, and Kilwins, Launch “Shop & Stamp Savannah”

  April 27, 2026

  The Savannah Downtown Business Association, in partnership with the Savannah Area Chamber, Sea Love, and Kilwins, invites the community to experience downtown shopping in a new way with Shop & Stamp Savannah, a three-day event taking place May 1st–3rd in Savannah.

• Georgia Chamber Promotes May 19th Primary Participation Through May Matters Initiative

  April 27, 2026

  The Georgia Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its support of May Matters, a nonpartisan public education initiative focused on increasing awareness and participation in Georgia’s primary elections.

• Savannah Tech Instructor Named State First Runner-Up, Student Honored as State Finalist

  April 24, 2026

  Out of 22 technical colleges, Savannah Technical College, the leading provider of career-ready technical education and workforce development in Coastal Georgia, achieved rare dual accolades at the 2026 Technical College System of Georgia Leadership Summit held at the Grand Hyatt Atlanta.

• EY US Unveils Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Southeast Award Finalists

  April 24, 2026

  Ernst & Young has announced the finalists for the Entrepreneur Of The Year 2026 Southeast Award. Now in its 41st year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and uplifting communities.

• TCSG Announces 2026 Student of the Year & Instructor of the Year

  April 24, 2026

  The Technical College System of Georgia has announced the state’s top technical college student and top instructor for 2026, recognizing excellence across its 22 colleges.

• Candidates for Georgia Governor Present to Georgia Association of Manufacturers’ Forum

  April 23, 2026

  With weeks to go before Georgia’s primary election, nearly all the leading candidates for governor attended a forum Tuesday in hopes of distinguishing themselves from their competitors.

• Architects Visit Schools as SCCPSS Launches Middle School Architecture Studio Program

  April 22, 2026

  In recognition of National Architecture Week, the Savannah Chapter of the American Institute of Architects visited eight SCCPSS schools to introduce students to the exciting world of architecture through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

• Technology Association Of Georgia Announces Top 40 Innovative Companies In Georgia

  April 22, 2026

  The Technology Association of Georgia is proud to announce the 2026 Top 40 Innovative Companies in Georgia, recognizing 40 Georgia-based technology companies whose innovations are making significant contributions to the state’s technology economy.

• Office of Governor & Georgia Historical Society Induct Saxby Chambliss & Chris Womack as Georgia Trustees, the State’s Highest Honor

  April 21, 2026

  Two accomplished Georgians have been inducted by the Office of the Governor of Georgia and the Georgia Historical Society as the 2026 Georgia Trustees, the state’s highest honor.

• Hire a Summer 500 High School Student. Shape Savannah’s Future

  April 20, 2026

  The Summer 500 Program returns for 2026—bringing together the City of Savannah, Chatham County, Savannah-Chatham County Public School System, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, and the local business community to create meaningful, paid work opportunities for local high school students.

• Georgia’s Only Night-Lit Par 3 Course Opens April 25 at Lanier Islands Resort

  April 20, 2026

  A new type of golf experience for all skill levels has officially arrived in the Southeast. As part of a major investment to revolutionize its golf program, Lanier Islands Resort announced today that The Six will officially open on April 25th.

• Legislative Session Wraps with Key Wins for Savannah and State Priorities

  April 17, 2026

  With the Georgia General Assembly now officially adjourned sine die, the 2025–2026 legislative biennium has come to a close. Lawmakers finalized priority legislation in the final days of the session, sending approved bills to Governor Brian Kemp for consideration. He now has until May 12th to sign or veto legislation; any bill not acted upon by that date will automatically become law.

• Erin Fountain Named Interim CEO of the Bryan County Chamber of Commerce

  April 17, 2026

  The Bryan County Chamber of Commerce has named Erin Fountain as Interim Chief Executive Officer, stepping into the role with nearly two decades of involvement and leadership within the organization.

• Georgia Labor Force and Employment Hit Record Highs

  April 17, 2026

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced today that in February Georgia’s labor force and employment rose to all-time highs of 5.45 million and 5.25 million, respectively. The February unemployment rate was 3.6%, which is 0.8 percentage point lower than the national unemployment rate and 0.2 percentage point higher than Georgia’s rate one year ago.

• World Trade Center Savannah to Host Seventh Annual Prosperity Through Trade Luncheon on May 6th

  April 16, 2026

  World Trade Center Savannah will host its seventh annual Prosperity Through Trade Luncheon Wednesday, May 6th at the Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Drive. The keynote speaker will be Brown University professor and economist Mark Blyth.

• Sonny Perdue to Retire as Chancellor of the University System of Georgia

  April 16, 2026

  University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue announced today he will retire, capping more than four decades in public service that began in Houston County and grew to include roles in the Georgia State Senate, two terms as governor and as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

• Best in Georgia Tourism Recognized by GACVB with 2026 Georgia Tourism Excellence Awards

  April 16, 2026

  The 2026 Georgia Tourism Excellence Awards were presented at the Georgia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus Annual Conference. The annual awards program recognizes outstanding achievements across Georgia’s tourism industry, celebrating the individuals and organizations setting new standards in marketing, leadership, innovation, and community impact.

• Franchising Continues to Grow Despite Economic Headwinds

  April 16, 2026

  Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, interest in franchise ownership continues to grow as more professionals explore structured paths to entrepreneurship. Advisors at The Perfect Franchise say shifting workforce dynamics, combined with a desire for greater control over income and career direction, are driving sustained demand for franchise opportunities across a range of industries.

• Leadership Southeast Georgia Explores Economic Development Assets & Community Impact in Bryan County

  April 14, 2026

  Leadership Southeast Georgia participants gathered in Bryan County April 2–3 for the third session of the regional leadership program, focusing on the infrastructure, industry and community assets that shape economic development across the region.