June 2026 Features

• Keep Savannah/Hilton Head International on Top: Vote for the Nation’s #1 Airport

  June 22, 2026

  The Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport continues to soar to new heights—and our community couldn’t be prouder. As we celebrate six years of excellence, we’re reminding travelers and residents alike why SAV stands out as a premier gateway to the Lowcountry.

• Georgia Surpasses 5 Million Jobs, Sets New Records in Labor Force and Employment

  June 22, 2026

  The Georgia Department of Labor announced that Georgia jobs surpassed 5 million, reaching 5,002,400 in May. The state’s labor force also reached an all-time high of 5,470,704, while total employment set a new record at 5,283,862.

• Hinesville Downtown Development Authority Welcomes Courtney Rawlins as Executive Director

  June 18, 2026

  The Hinesville Downtown Development Authority (HDDA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Courtney Rawlins as its new Executive Director. Rawlins officially joined the organization on May 26, 2026, and will lead efforts to strengthen downtown Hinesville through business development, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and revitalization initiatives.

• Savannah & Tybee Island Score Global Exposure During FIFA World Cup

  June 18, 2026

  Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp recently joined Visit Savannah President and CEO Joseph Marinelli, along with Angela Westerfield and Lauren Cleland, at the Visit Savannah and Visit Tybee visitor display area at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta as Georgia welcomes FIFA World Cup visitors from around the globe.

• Georgia Bankers Association Elects & Installs Officers & Directors to its Board

  June 18, 2026

  Georgia Bankers Association members have elected and installed officers for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and added seven members to its board of directors. At the 134th GBA Annual Meeting on June 9th, Susan Moss, President and CEO, Planters & Citizens Bank, Camilla, was installed as the 138th GBA Chairman.

• Georgia Republicans Decline to Redraw Election Maps During Special Session

  June 18, 2026

  Republican lawmakers in Georgia will not redraw election maps as suggested by Gov. Brian Kemp, leaders of the House and Senate said Wednesday afternoon, less than an hour before gaveling in for their special session.

• Leadership Southeast Georgia Celebrates the Graduation of the Class of 2026

  June 17, 2026

  Leadership Southeast Georgia celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2026 following the program's fifth and final session, held June 3rd–5th in Chatham County. Focused on Quality of Life and program culmination, the final session brought participants together to explore the people, institutions, and community assets that contribute to a vibrant and thriving Southeast Georgia.

• Rick Jackson Defeats Burt Jones for GOP Gubernatorial Nomination

  June 17, 2026

  Entrepreneur Rick Jackson defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the Republican runoff for governor and will compete in November for the state’s top office against Democratic former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

• Georgia Historical Society Expands Access to Digital History Resources Through Today in Georgia History Widget & US250 Content

  June 16, 2026

  The Georgia Historical Society announced the expanded availability of free digital history resources designed to help educators, media outlets, cultural institutions, government agencies, tourism partners, libraries, and community organizations commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.

• Lead Where You Live: Apply for Leadership Savannah Class of 2027

  June 15, 2026

  Applications for the Leadership Savannah Class of 2027 are now open and will remain available through August 31st. For more than 65 years, Leadership Savannah has helped prepare emerging and established leaders to better understand, serve and strengthen the Savannah community.

• Savannah-Chatham County Public School System Adopts 2026–2031 Strategic Plan: “Unlimited Possibilities”

  June 15, 2026

  The Savannah-Chatham County Public School System 2026–2031 Strategic Plan was adopted by the Board of Education during the June 3rd board meeting.  This plan is a comprehensive roadmap designed to expand opportunities, strengthen student outcomes, and build a future-ready school system for every child.

• Leadership Georgia Honors Five Influential Georgians with 2026 Statewide Awards

  June 15, 2026

  Leadership Georgia has announced the recipients of its 2026 statewide awards, honoring five distinguished Georgians whose leadership, service and impact have strengthened communities and institutions across the state.

• Startup Savannah Celebrates 16 Graduates of Spring 2026 SPARK Savannah Accelerator Program

  June 12, 2026

  Startup Savannah, the nonprofit hub guiding the area's technology, creative and small businesses, announced that the second cohort of SPARK Savannah, its intensive 12-week accelerator, has completed the program with a 100% graduation rate.

• GPA’s Ocean Terminal Renovation Now 55% Complete

  June 12, 2026

  Renovations at the Port of Savannah’s Ocean Terminal have passed the halfway mark. The nearly $1.6 billion project will allow the 200-acre facility to grow its annual container capacity from 200,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units to 1.75 million TEUs.

• Georgia to Veterans: We Got Your Back!

  June 12, 2026

  Choosing the next steps after separation may not be easy, but the Peach State is prepared to help servicemembers be set up for success in the country that they served.

• Georgia Launches New Work-Based Learning Diploma Option for High School Students Entering High-Demand Careers

  June 11, 2026

  The Georgia Department of Education is launching a new Work-Based Learning Diploma, providing an additional pathway to a Georgia high school diploma for students who plan to directly enter high-demand careers right after graduation.

• Metro Savannah Rotary Announces New President and Board for 2026-2027

  June 10, 2026

  The Rotary Club of Metropolitan Savannah will induct its new slate of leadership for the 2026-2027 year at its July 7th meeting and is proud to announce their new Club President, Ro Patrick.

• InternSAV Summer Networking Event Connects College Interns with Savannah’s Business Community

  June 10, 2026

  Is your company hosting college interns this summer? Encourage them to join the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce for InternSAV’s first summer networking event on Thursday, June 25th, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. at Starland Yard.

• Eastern Wharf Announces Updated Food Truck Thursdays Line-Up for June 2026

  June 10, 2026

  Eastern Wharf – a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood overlooking the Savannah River – announced an updated Food Truck Thursdays line-up for June 2026 earlier today. All weekly events, which are free and open to the public, take place on Thursdays from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Eastern Wharf Community Lot, located at 400 Passage Way in Savannah, Ga.

• Governor Kemp Announces $26M for Local Transportation Projects

  June 10, 2026

  Governor Brian Kemp and the State Road and Tollway Authority Board of Directors approved $26 million in funding for Georgia Transportation Infrastructure Bank (GTIB) grants and low-interest loans that will support 20 transportation roadway projects and 2 regional airport hangar projects.

• From An Infant in Foster Care to College Success: Kristauna's Story

  June 09, 2026

  Kristauna entered Georgia's foster care system at just nine months old and spent much of her childhood moving between family placements and foster care. Despite years of uncertainty and instability, she never lost sight of her goals.

• City of Savannah, WorkSource Georgia Coastal Launch Second Chance Workforce Summit 2026

  June 08, 2026

  The City of Savannah and WorkSource Georgia Coastal will host the Second Chance Workforce Summit 2026. The theme: Your past doesn’t determine your future - you do. The two-day workforce development initiative is designed to connect justice-involved jobseekers with workplace opportunities, career resources, and other pathways to sustainable employment.

• AG Carr: Georgia’s Legal Community Provides Nearly 3 Million Meals to State’s Regional Food Banks

  June 08, 2026

  Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr today announced that the state’s legal community raised a total of $747,944.58 during the 15th annual Georgia Legal Food Frenzy – a 12-day fundraising competition to benefit Georgia’s nine regional food banks.

• Savannah Invitational Generates More Than $3.3 Million in Economic Impact

  June 05, 2026

  The inaugural Savannah Invitational, hosted by Top Court Events at the Savannah Convention Center, generated an estimated $3,383,797 in economic impact for the Savannah/Chatham County community from May 22–24, underscoring the significant value sports tourism brings to the local economy.

• Kia America & Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America Celebrate Production of the 2027 Kia Sportage Hybrid

  June 04, 2026

  Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and Kia America celebrated the start of production for its newest vehicle, marking three major milestones for the advanced manufacturing facility: the first Kia model, the first hybrid electric vehicle, and the third vehicle to be assembled at the site.