WGXA: Georgia governor, other agencies mark completion of Savannah Harbor deepening
This river deepening project is two decades in the making, and it will allow larger vessels to pass through Savannah's port. From The Garden City Port to Fort Pulaski, The Savannah River is 47 ft deep- a five-foot increase that Griff Lynch, director of The Georgia Ports Authority, said will facilitate more efficient trade in Georgia. Kemp said this comes on the heels of a record-breaking year for state exports.
Despite the global supply chain interruptions, Georgia exported a record $42 billion dollars this year. According to Kemp, 85 percent of Georgia's exports are produced by small businesses. Colonel Joseph Geary with the U.S. Corps of Army Engineers said this $1 billion investment will pay off with a $7.70 return on investment for each dollar spent.
"A deeper channel means more than just efficient passage for the largest vessels calling on the U.S. East Coast. It means continued opportunity, job growth and prosperity for the people of our state," said Griff Lynch, executive director of the GPA.
"That's important to our exporters, because it means Georgia-grown and manufactured goods reach international markets faster," said Joel Wooten, GPA board chairman. "The harbor deepening directly complements our overall mission to support growth through global commerce."
"The ports are a major reason why our FY2022 numbers for total jobs created and dollars invested are on track to outpace all of last year's numbers which, by the way, was a record year," said Kemp. "Businesses know that when they operate in Georgia, their goods will reach markets around the world even during unprecedented challenges."
"To say today has been a long time coming is an understatement," Gov. Brian Kemp said.
Wooten said, "The deeper water means that ships can carry up to an additional 1,000 containers." This is good news for Georgia exporters, 85% of which, according to Gov. Kemp, are small businesses.
"It will mean greater speed and greater efficiency getting Georgia grown and Georgia manufactured goods to global markets," Wooten said.
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