The Metropolitan Savannah region is comprised of six coastal counties with an estimated population of 350,000 in the Metropolitan Statistical Area and a Primary Trade Area approaching 600,000 residents. Over the next fifteen years, the population for the six counties in coastal Georgia is forecast to exceed 1,000,000 people.
The Metropolitan Savannah area continues to experience fundamentally sound growth as a result of its diversified economy which is anchored by its deep-water container port, the massive and expanding military infrastructure at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield and the over 7,000,000 annual visitors to Savannah’s Historic District.
The Metropolitan Savannah area is strategically located near the epicenter of the Interstate 95 corridor bordered by Wilmington, North Carolina on the North and Miami, Florida on the South. Over the next twenty years, millions of baby boomers are expected to pre-retire and retire along this stretch of I-95. This wave of new residents is fueled by the very desirable climate and overall quality of life and the relatively affordable life style. In recent years, this area has experienced the “Boomerang effect” or “J Factor” in which a substantial number of retirees who relocate from the Northeast and Midwest to Florida subsequently relocate to the “Low Country” sections of Coastal Georgia and South Carolina. Additionally, there are an ever increasing number of planned-unit-developments and/or retirement communities being developed in Coastal Georgia that cater to these residents.
Through the efforts of SEDA and “Creative Coast”, Savannah has attracted over 350 knowledge-based businesses that thrive on the cultural and educational opportunities provided by numerous colleges and universities including the Savannah College of Art and Design, Georgia Institute of Technology and Georgia Southern located in nearby Statesboro, GA. Within a sixty-mile radius of Savannah, there are over 40,000 students within these colleges and universities which serve as a strong foundation for a skilled workforce.
West Chatham County has experienced exponential growth over the last ten years which is centered along the Interstate 16 and Interstate 95 corridors. Godley Station, the home of The Mulberry, is a 5,800-acre planned –unit-development by the Branigar Organization /Union Camp Corporation and International Paper Realty that has evolved into one of Savannah’s preferred communities in which to “work, live and play.” Godley Station’s strategic location, strong regional draw, carefully executed Master Plan and proximity to local and regional employers have spurred a number of successful residential subdivisions.
The Interstate 95 corridor accommodates approximately 15,000,000 vehicles per year through West Chatham County and ties into a “state-of-the-art” transportation system that has been largely funded by the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax and effectively supports the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and the deep-water container port of the Georgia Ports Authority.
