Georgia’s ports support 110,368 full- and part-time jobs at businesses in Coastal Georgia, according to the latest study from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, including more than 7,200 in Bulloch County.
“This report confirms what we’ve seen for years: our Ports are exceptional drivers of job creation and economic activity, both in the booming coastal region and in communities across Georgia,” said Gov. Brian Kemp. “As we continue to invest in these unrivaled assets statewide and our broader logistics network, we will build on the positive momentum of recent years and further promote opportunities for hardworking Georgians.”
By county, the UGA study found Georgia’s ports support the following number of jobs:
- Chatham: 77,732
- Liberty: 7,344
- Bulloch: 7,234 - up 345 jobs from 2025 report
- Glynn: 6,666
- Bryan: 5,258
- Effingham: 4,232
- Camden: 1,164
- Screven: 290
- McIntosh: 175
- Jasper: 221
- Long: 50
“Every shipment through Savannah and Brunswick fuels Georgia’s economy, supporting businesses, families and communities,” said Griff Lynch, Georgia Ports CEO.
Between FY2021 and FY2025, employment supported by port activity has increased more than 30,800 jobs in the 11-county area of Coastal Georgia.
“Twelve percent of statewide employment, or almost one out of every eight Georgia jobs, is in some way dependent on the ports,” said Jeff Humphreys, director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth, who conducted the study.
Also, the ports’ total economic impact rose 4 percent or $7 billion in FY2025, compared to the previous year, according to the UGA study. Port activity now supports $181 billion in annual sales across Georgia, equal to 12 percent of the state’s total economic output, up from 11 percent in FY2024.
The activity generated $10 billion in federal taxes, $3 billion in state taxes and another $3 billion in local taxes.
“Ports are economic engines and our GPA employees and our valued partners in Gateway Terminals and the ILA are to be commended for their dedication and hard work contributing to Georgia’s strong economy,” said GPA Board Chairman Alec Poitevint.
The Port of Savannah, the busiest gateway for containerized trade on the South Atlantic and Gulf Coasts, handled 5.67 million twenty-foot equivalent container units in fiscal 2026. Its network includes 40 weekly vessel calls, direct interstate access and 42 trains a week serving inland markets.