Georgia ports' economic impact on the rise

Trade through Georgia’s ports supported 650,965 full-and part-time jobs across the state during the last fiscal year, the Georgia Ports Authority reported Tuesday.

The number of statewide jobs grew by 41,770 in fiscal 2024, up 7% from the previous fiscal year. Georgia ports now help sustain 12% of the state's total employment.

“Georgia has been recognized as the No.-1 state for business for over a decade in part because we’re also the best state for reliable infrastructure,” Gov. Brian Kemp said.

According to the Selig Center study, Georgia’s two deep-water ports accounted for $174 billion in sales in the last fiscal year, up 2% from fiscal 2023, and contributed $77 billion to the state’s Gross Domestic Product, a 7% increase over the previous fiscal year. The ports also generated $43 billion in income, up 7.5% compared to fiscal 2023.