News

Georgia's Dr. Howard Keeley receives Irish Award

February 1, 2024 - On Jan. 16, Howard Keeley, Ph.D., director of the Center for Irish Research and Teaching (CIRT) at Georgia Southern University, received the 2023 Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad from the Government of Ireland. It is the highest honor the country of Ireland can give to a person who is a non-resident. Thirteen awards were announced worldwide, only two of which went to individuals based in the U.S. Keeley received the award in the business and economic development category. Achievements cited included his development of Georgia Southern’s presence in Ireland and his facilitation of trade and investment opportunities between Georgia and Ireland. Keeley, who is originally from Ireland, has lived in the U.S. for more than 30 years and will celebrate 20 years at Georgia Southern in 2024. To receive this honor was humbling, he said. “In some ways, I think this award has a bit of a reputation for being a lifetime-achievement award,” said Keeley. “People who receive it work very hard for many, many years on projects that are truly impactful for Ireland and Ireland’s reputation. I know some of the people who’ve been recognized in the past, and it’s a huge honor to be included in that company. I’m very humbled by it.” Keeley has been dedicated to growing Irish research and teaching at Georgia Southern since he joined the faculty in 2004. Read More

WTCSav to Host Prosperity Through Trade Luncheon

February 1, 2024 - Join World Trade Center Savannah for our fifth annual Prosperity Through Trade Luncheon on Thursday, May 2, 11:30 a.m. at the Savannah Convention Center, 1 International Dr. The regional event focused on international business will feature diplomat, senior government leader, economic developer, business executive, consultant and now ordained pastor Chris Young as the keynote speaker presenting on “Cliche, Charisma and Courtesy: A Local Approach to Global Citizenship” and include the announcement of the World Trade Center Savannah International Business of the Year. Young has spent a lifetime building bridge of commerce, civility and comity on behalf of his home state, Georgia, and country all around the globe. After a long, successful career in government, protocol, politics and business, Young is now an associate pastor in a metropolitan Atlanta congregation. His prior experience includes service as a managing director in Accenture’s state and local government strategy and consulting practice; Deputy Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Agriculture; Executive Director of a United Nations training arm for local governments in the developing world; Executive Director of The Protocol School of Washington; and Chief of Protocol and Director of International Affairs for the State of Georgia. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia Institute of Technology and his law degree from the University of Georgia. He is set to finish his Master’s in ministry at Richmont in May and thereafter begin a doctoral program. Interested parties can register for a table or ticket at wtcsavannah.org/events Read More

Plastic Express to double Georgia operations

January 5, 2024 - Governor Brian P. Kemp announced that Plastic Express, a leader in the plastic resins shipping industry, will building a second shipping facility in Savannah, Georgia. The new location will create an estimated 200 new jobs and $80 million in investment in Chatham County. "Job creators like Plastic Express choose to expand their footprints in Georgia because they know we're a great bet," said Governor Brian Kemp. "More than 70 percent of last year's economic development projects were expansions of businesses already operating in our state. That's a testament to our incredible partnership approach and reliable infrastructure, like the Savannah port." Read More

New West India Service to call Port of Savannah

January 5, 2024 - Ocean Network Express will launch a new containership service between Savannah and West India in May 2024. The new offering will give the Georgia Ports Authority 10 services via the Suez Canal, with nine calling on the Indian subcontinent. "ONE's West India North America service recognizes a growing shift in global sourcing, with more manufacturers adding operations on the subcontinent," said GPA President and CEO Griff Lynch. "With the world's largest population, India also represents a tremendous market opportunity for U.S. exporters. The Port of Savannah is strategically positioned to take advantage of this trend, providing more connections to India for supply chain flexibility." Read More

Georgia Celebrates 50 Years of Japan Office

November 8, 2023 - The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) celebrated 50 years of continuous representation in Japan, recognizing YKK Corporation of America Vice President Jessica Cork with the Governor George Busbee Award during a state mission to the country. The mission celebrated the long history of Japanese investment in the state and highlighted ongoing partnerships in Japan, including Georgia's role as a charter member in the Southeast U.S.-Japan Alliance. The organization's annual meeting was hosted in Tokyo this week. Read More

The Port of Savannah's trade with India

November 8, 2023 - India represents enormous opportunities for Georgia's Ports. The Georgia Ports Authority's (GPA) overall trade with India grew faster than its trade with any other country among the top 20 over the past fiscal year. No other U.S. port expanded India trade by more containers than the Port of Savannah, by a margin of 14,000 twenty-foot equivalent container units, according to PIERS-Enterprise loaded cargo data. "Our growth trajectory with India is extremely strong and we are actively taking steps to increase our presence in the market," said Griff Lynch, GPA president and CEO. "As production shifts to India and as demand in its economy rises, that trade increasingly favors the Port of Savannah's strategic location over West Coast ports, due to time and cost." Read More

DAS Corp. bringing jobs to Metter, Georgia

September 29, 2023 - Governor Brian P. Kemp announced in early September that DAS Corp. (DAS), an automotive parts company, will establish a new manufacturing facility in Metter. The facility will create 300 new jobs and generate more than $35 million in investment in Candler County. This initiative will also involve collaborative indirect investments. "Suppliers for the Hyundai Metaplant resulted in over $2 billion in investment last fiscal year alone, helping Georgia achieve a third straight year of record-breaking economic growth," said Governor Brian Kemp. "Our logistics assets, including a reliable network of rail lines and highways, connect companies like DAS to key business partners in all corners of the state and to markets across the world, providing direct benefits to Georgia communities." Read More

WTCSav welcomes Madison Roche to Savannah

September 29, 2023 - The World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) team had the opportunity to welcome Guinness Enterprise Centre (GEC) Start Ups and Programs Manager Madison Roche to Savannah in July. During her stay, Madison shared more about the current initiatives of the GEC and the team explored ways to partner and collaborate. She also met with Savannah Logistics Innovation Center (SLIC) Executive Director Bart Gobeil and Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) Business Development Project Manager for Technology & Innovation Caleb Kitchings. Read More

WTCSav Leads Trade Mission to Ireland

May 31, 2023 - World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) led a trade mission to Ireland in May to expand the TradeBridge mission through civic, tourism, education and economic development efforts. The TradeBridge program serves to empower trade and investment between the Southeast regions of Ireland and the State of Georgia by developing new export markets and job creation opportunities in both regions. The team traveled in coordination with partners at Georgia Southern University. World Trade Center Savannah Director of Research and Trade Development Chris Ahearn was joined by Kay Ford, Mayor Van Johnson, Craig Lesser, John Coleman, John Petrino, Marty Johnston and Joe Marinelli who represent the various divisions of the before-mentioned areas of effort. The group was able to meet with a long list of business leaders in Ireland including the Mayor of Kilkenny David Fitzgerald, Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy, Chief Executive at American Chamber of Commerce Ireland Mark Redmond, representatives from Wexford Enterprise Center and Guinness Enterprise Center, Julie Connell of the United States and Canada Unit for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Mayor Maura Bell of Borough District of Wexford, Kilkenny Cathaoirleach Chairman Pat Fitzpatrick and Wexford Cathaoirleach Chairman George Lawlor. The group visited Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny and Dublin during their week-long visit. Read More

WTCSav Recognizes International Paper at Luncheon

May 11, 2023 - World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) hosted its annual Prosperity Through Trade Luncheon with former 1st Chief Market Intelligence Officer Andrew Busch as the keynote speaker. During the luncheon, WTCSav presented the World Trade Center Savannah International Business of the Year Award to International Paper of Chatham County. International Paper is a leading global supplier of renewable fiber-based products. The company employs approximately 38,000 individuals globally with net sales of $21.2 billion in 2022. Sponsored by Georgia Southern University, the award is given annually to a regional company demonstrating excellence in international trade. This award is presented to encourage and recognize exemplary corporate leadership for international business or trade that advances relations between the U.S. and other nations as well as creates quality jobs in the region. This event serves to highlight global economic development in the region and to showcase the activities of WTCSav and the successes of its 15 economic development authority partners in the Southeast Georgia region. Thank you to Georgia Ports Authority for being the 2023 platinum sponsor, to Georgia Southern University for being the presenting sponsor, to AT&T for being the 2023 global sponsor and to this year’s additional sponsors including Bank of Newington, BankSouth, City of Savannah, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Intermodal Cargo, Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, Savannah Hilton Head International Airport, Anatolia, Bonitz of Georgia, D.J. Powers, Daniel Reed Hospitality, Express Employment Professionals, First Chatham Bank, Foram Group, Greenland Developers, Hunter Maclean, Hylant, International Longshoremen’s Association – Local 1414, International Paper, J.L. Williamson Law Group, LLC, JIT Logistics, National Office Systems, Port City Logistics, Renasant Bank, Resource & Land Consultants, Savannah Convention Center, Savannah Technical College, SouthState Bank, Sterling Seacrest Pritchard, The Kennickell Group, United Community Bank. Read More

Bulloch County welcoming two Hyundai suppliers

March 31, 2023 - Two automotive parts manufacturers have announced plans to build facilities in Bulloch County. Joon Georgia, Inc. will create 630 new jobs and invest $317 million. The new facility will be located at Bruce Yawn Commerce Park, previously known as the Southern Gateway Commerce Park. Operations are expected to begin in mid-2024, and the company will begin hiring mid-2023. Ecoplastic Corporation will create 456 new jobs and invest approximately $205 million in a new manufacturing facility. The new facility will be located at 4822 Highway 301 South Register near Statesboro. The company expects to begin operations by October 2024. Read More

WTCSav hosts 30 delegates from Ireland in March

March 31, 2023 - World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) hosted three groups consisting of 30 individuals from Ireland in March. The delegations; one from Wexford, one from Limerick, and a diplomatic delegation; participated in various activities during their stays including attending the Jasper Green Parade and ceremony, marching in Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Parade, meeting with Mayor Van Johnson, touring Georgia Ports Authority and Georgia Southern University and learning about several Savannah area businesses. World Trade Center Savannah was proud to manage the groups' agendas and looks forward to continue doing business with their partners and friends in Ireland. Read More