10/14/2026
The Georgia Ports Authority hosted its annual State of the Ports event today, and the Liberty County Development Authority board and regional partners were honored to join 1,700 others in attendance.
The growth of Georgia's ports has been an extraordinary example of strategic business leadership, not just in Georgia and not just in the United States, but around the world.
That success has not come without challenges, but it has helped put food on countless tables, created opportunities for families, and sent thousands of children to school.
The economic impact of Georgia's ports is difficult to overstate. According to recent analyses by the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business, port activity supports more than 600,000 jobs statewide and generates approximately $181 billion in annual economic impact, with nearly one out of every eight jobs in Georgia connected in some way to the state's ports. The Ports of Savannah and Brunswick drive investment, manufacturing, logistics, agriculture, and international trade opportunities that benefit communities far beyond the coast. 
For Liberty County and the broader coastal region, the ports have been a catalyst for transformational growth, helping attract new industries, expand career opportunities, strengthen local tax bases, and position Georgia as one of the most competitive places in the world to do business.
The Georgia Ports Authority, its leadership, employees, labor partners, customers, and countless stakeholders deserve recognition for building and sustaining one of the state's greatest economic assets. Their work continues to create opportunities for future generations while keeping Georgia connected to the global economy.
