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Home » Press Releases » UGA study: Georgia ports support more than 350,000 jobs

UGA study: Georgia ports support more than 350,000 jobs

May 17, 2012

One in 12 Peach State jobs – in all regions – related to Savannah, Brunswick

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced the release of the study “The Economic Impact of Georgia’s Deepwater Ports” by the Selig Center for Economic Growth at UGA’s Terry College of Business. According to the fiscal year 2011 study, Georgia’s deepwater ports support 352,146 full- and part-time jobs across the state, up from 295,422 found in a 2009 study. Georgia ports now account for 8.3 percent of total state employment, or one out of 12 jobs.

“The research shows strong employment opportunities – linked directly or indirectly to the ports – exist in each of Georgia’s 159 counties,” said Deal. “The findings are a testament to the ports’ sustaining power to create jobs. Our transportation and logistics industry drives statewide and regional commerce while our deepwater ports generate revenue, create jobs and offer opportunities for growth in every corner of the state through our global transportation network. This puts Georgia even closer to being the No. 1 state to do business.”

Selig Center Director Jeff Humphreys conducted the study, which found statewide FY11 impacts also include:
• $66.9 billion in sales (9.5 percent of Georgia’s total sales);
• $32.4 billion in state GDP  (7.8 percent of Georgia’s total GDP);
• $18.5 billion in income (5.2 percent of Georgia’s total personal income);
• $4.5 billion in federal taxes;
• $1.4 billion in state taxes; and
• $1.1 billion in local taxes.

“These economic impacts demonstrate that continued emphasis on imports and exports through Georgia’s deepwater ports translates into jobs, higher incomes, greater production of goods and services and revenue collections for government,” said Humphreys. “Port operations help preserve Georgia’s manufacturing base, support Georgia’s agricultural economy and foster growth of the state’s massive logistics, distribution and warehousing cluster.”

The Terry College of Business study showed that the total impact of Georgia’s deepwater ports on the state’s economy was $66.9 billion, or 9.5 percent of Georgia’s output in FY11.

Measured in terms of income, Georgia’s deepwater ports contributed $18.5 billion in personal income to the state in FY2011, which is 5.2 percent of Georgia’s total.

“The results of the Terry College study are very encouraging,” said Curtis Foltz, Georgia Ports Authority executive director. “It is clear from the study that the ports fuel a dynamic economic engine, especially considering the research was done at a time when the national economy marked slow to no growth.”

For the first time, Dr. Humphreys and the Terry College of Business examined the impact of Georgia’s deepwater ports on every county in the state, which revealed new results. In the 10-county Atlanta region, for example, more than 150,000 jobs are port-related. The second largest employment impact is in the Coastal Georgia region, representing six coastal and four inland counties and including the ports of Savannah and Brunswick.

In addition to the Terry College study, the GPA tracks the industry categories for import and export trade by county and economic development region. Below are statistical profiles for Georgia’s seven major metropolitan regions, including the study’s job findings and trade details.

FY 2011 Regional impacts

Metro Atlanta
In the Atlanta region, 156,698 jobs are tied to the ports. Of those, 57,625 are in Fulton County, 24,538 in Cobb, 23,193 in Gwinnett and 22,660 in DeKalb. Atlanta area businesses shipped or received almost 165,000 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs) in FY2011, for more than $8.6 billion in business. Of that, $6.12 billion were in exports. Top exports were poultry ($312.7 million), paper and paper board ($127.4 million) and kaolin clay ($50.28 million). The remainder of the port-related trade, or $2.51 billion, was in imports. Top imports were furniture ($132.4 million), auto and truck tires ($79.3 million) and air conditioners ($153.9 million).

• Fulton County industries did $4.1 billion in port business. Of that, $3.5 billion were in exports. Top three exports by volume were poultry at 21,743 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs); kaolin clay, 8,651 TEUs; and paper and paperboard, 5,304 TEUs. The remainder of the port-related trade, or $656.1 million, were in imports. Top three imports by volume were furniture, 6,139 TEUs; general cargo, 1,024 TEUs; and cement and concrete products, 550 TEUs. Top three port customers by volume in Fulton include AJC International, Imerys Clay and Georgia Pacific.
• Cobb County industries did $935.9 million in port business. Of that, $644.6 million were in exports. Top three exports by volume were paper and paperboard at 6,480 TEUs; poultry at 741 TEUs; and starch and chemicals at 533 TEUs. The remainder of the port-related trade, or $291.3 million, was in imports. Top three imports by volume were medical equipment and supplies, 508 TEUs; furniture, 421 TEUs; and bags, 338 TEUs. The top three port customers by volume in Cobb include Graphic Packaging International, Bal Shipping Line and USA Shipping.
• Gwinnett County industries did $1.56 billion in port business. Of that, $619.7 million were in exports. The top three exports by volume were logs and lumber at 560 TEUs; mixed metal scrap, 288 TEUs; and paper and paperboard, 238 TEUs. The remainder of the port-related trade, or $942.2 million, was in imports. Top three imports by volume were air conditioners, 2,707 TEUs; furniture, 1,845 TEUs; and auto parts, 1,440 TEUs. The top three port customers by volume in Gwinnett include Mitsubishi Electric & Electronics; Cheng Shin Rubber Industry and Kia.
• DeKalb County industries did $533.6 million in port business. Of that, $336 million were in exports. Top three exports by volume were poultry, at 1,862 TEUs; furniture, 550 TEUs; and grocery products, 181 TEUs. The remainder of the port-related trade, or $197.5 million, was in imports. Top three imports by volume were furniture, 1,541 TEUs; medical equipment and supplies, 394 TEUs; and synthetic resins and plastics, 299 TEUs. Top three port customers by volume in DeKalb include Meta Foods, Factory Direct Wholesale and Green Worldwide Shipping.

Coastal Georgia
In the Coastal Georgia region, 55,384 jobs are tied to the ports. Of those, 37,319 are in Chatham County, 4,134 in Liberty County and 3,529 in Glynn County. The region accounted for $1.45 billion in export trade and $1.57 billion in imports, for a total of $3.02 billion in port business.

“Georgia’s ports serve as hubs of diverse economic activity linking waterborne commercial vessels with economic opportunities throughout the state,” said Allen Burns, Coastal Regional Commission executive director. “Our ports generate thousands of family-sustaining jobs which helps enhance the quality of life of all Georgians. Often taken for granted, our ports are deeply rooted in Georgia’s history and will continue to play a major role in the state’s economic future.”

• Chatham County industries did $1.74 billion in port business. Of that, $375.9 million was in export trade. Top three exports were automobiles ($104.2 million), mixed metal scrap ($54 million), and saccharin and vanillin ($29 million). The remainder of the port-related trade, or $1.37 billion, was in imports. Top three imports were furniture ($225.7 million), chemicals ($84 million), and olive, palm and peanut oil ($67.2 million). The top three port customers by volume in Chatham County include Ikea, Pier 1 Imports and Expeditors International.
• Glynn County industries did $44.46 million in port business. Of that, $5.24 million were in exports. Top exports were gums ($1.21 million), wood pulp ($702,172) and synthetic resins ($663,965). The remainder of the port-related trade, or $39.21 million, was in imports. Top imports were automobiles ($28.2 million), buses and campers ($2 million) and auto parts ($1.7 million). Top three port customers by volume in Glynn County include Pinova Inc., Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics and Char Griller.

Northeast Georgia
In the Northeast Georgia region, 13,498 jobs are tied to the ports. Of those, 4,180 are in Clarke County, 1,756 in Walton and 1,509 in Newton County. The region accounted for $278.3 million in export trade and $266.2 in imports, for a total of $544.5 in port business.

"Georgia's ports provide our state, and the Northeast Georgia region, with a tremendous advantage regarding the recruitment of industries and businesses. This is evidenced by the recent decision of Caterpillar to develop a state-of-the-art facility in this area,” said Jim Dove, Northeast Georgia Regional Commission executive director. “Without access to world-class port facilities, the location or expansion of many manufacturing facilities in our region simply would not occur."

• Clarke County industries did $172.5 million in port business. Of that, $13.4 million was in export trade. Top exports were fans, blowers and compressors ($5 million); fabrics including raw cotton ($4.22 million) and auto parts ($1.5 million). The remainder of the port-related trade, or $159.1 million, was in imports. Top imports were fabrics including raw cotton ($144.8 million), staple fibers ($2.98 million) and terra cotta ($1.87 million). The top three port customers by volume in Clarke County include SKAPS Industries, Baldor Electric and Eaton.

Central Savannah River Area
In the Central Savannah River Area (CSRA), 18,924 jobs are tied to the ports. Of those, 10,168 are in Richmond County, 3,895 in Washington and 2,380 in Columbia County. CSRA area businesses shipped or received 25,229 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs). The region’s industries did $2.1 billion in port business. Of that, $1.48 billion was in export trade. Top exports were chemicals ($585.3 million), lamps ($248.2 million) and kaolin clay ($228.8 million). The remainder of the port-related trade, or $614.2 million, was in imports. Top imports were phosphoric-sulfuric acids ($277.1 million), aliphatic hydrocarbons ($142.7 million) and batteries ($24.7 million).

The top three port customers by volume in the region include DSM Chemicals, Thiele Kaolin and Club Car.

• Richmond County industries did $1.2 billion in port business. Of that, $686.4 billion was in export trade. Top three export commodities by volume were chemicals at 7,495 20-foot equivalent container units (TEUs); plastic film, 154 TEUs; and Bone Ash/Phosphate, 126 TEUs. The remainder of the port-related trade, or $526.1 million, was in imports. Top imports were amino acids, 268 TEUs; auto parts, 258 TEUs; and fabrics, 199 TEUs. The top three port customers by volume in Richmond include DSM Chemical, RBW and Nutrasweet.
• Columbia County industries did $77.7 million in port business. Of that, $60.2 million was in export trade. Top three exports by volume were automobiles at 905 TEUs; auto parts, 101 TEUs; and metalware, 86 TEUs. The remainder of the port-related trade, or $17.5 million, was in imports. Top three imports by volume were auto parts, 239 TEUs; auto and truck tires, 62 TEUs; and springs, 27 TEUs. The top three port customers by volume in Columbia include Club Car, Uniparts and John Deere.
• Washington County industries did $720.5 million in port business. Of that, $708.3 million was in export trade. Top three exports by volume were kaolin clay at 9,234 TEUs; bags, 304 TEUs; and pet supplies, 120 TEUs. The remainder of the port-related trade, or $12.2 million, was in imports. Top three imports by volume were sheets/towels/blankets, 174 TEUs; auto parts, 19 TEUs; and bags, 8 TEUs. The top three port customers by volume in Washington County include Thiele Kaolin, Burgess Pigment and Shiraishi Calcium Kaisha.

Middle Georgia
In the Middle Georgia region, 14,627 jobs are tied to the ports. Of those, 7,310 are in Bibb County, 3,583 in Houston and 1,090 in Baldwin County. The region accounted for $178.3 million in export trade and $88.3 million in imports, for a total of $266.7 million in port business.

“This economic impact study clearly demonstrates the level of importance Georgia’s ports occupy in the economic well-being of Middle Georgia,” said Ralph Nix, Middle Georgia Regional Commission executive director. “The number of jobs in the region which are dependent upon the ports’ activity make up a large percentage of the region’s employment.”

• Bibb County industries did $209.6 million in port business. Of that, $149.8 million was in export trade. Top exports were kaolin clay ($99.9 million), copper and brass wire ($9.2 million) and molds ($8.3 million). The remainder of the port-related trade, or $59.8 million, was in imports. Top imports were zippers ($10.6 million), writing articles ($8.1 million); and fans, blowers and compressors ($7.1 million). The top three port customers by volume in Bibb County include Kamin, YKK and Freudenberg Texbond.

River Valley
In the River Valley region, 9,613 jobs are tied to the ports. Of those, 5,607 are in Muscogee County, 762 in Sumter and 700 in Chattahoochee County. The region accounted for $32.3 million in export trade and $96.7 million in imports, for a total of $129.1 million in port business. 

“Georgia Ports are a vital link for businesses in the River Valley Region providing an important import/export resource," said Patti Cullen, River Valley Regional Commission executive director. "The Savannah Port is also crucial for the inland port in Crisp County, which has created dozens of jobs both directly and indirectly and is expected to create many more jobs in the near future. The impact of the Georgia Ports to our region is enormous.”

• Muscogee County industries did $95 million in port business. Of that, $10.5 million were in exports. Top exports were photo equipment ($8.1 million), odoriferous compounds ($838,159) and office machines ($437,107). The remainder of the port-related trade, or $84.8 million, was in imports. Top imports were batteries ($24.4 million); vanadium, zirconium and miscellaneous ore ($14.7 million) and photo equipment ($6.9 million). Top three port customers by volume in Muscogee include Panasonic, NCR and Masterbuilt Manufacturing.

Southwest Georgia
In the Southwest Georgia region, 9,926 jobs are tied to the ports. Of those, 3,473 are in Dougherty County, 1,321 in Thomas, and 1,115 in Colquitt County. The region accounted for $243.2 million in export trade and $108.1 million in imports, for a total of $351.4 in port business.

• Dougherty County industries did $263.3 million in port business. Of that, $181.3 million was in export trade. Top exports were pumps ($176.8 million), grocery products ($2 million) and printing machinery ($1.49 million). The remainder of the port-related trade, or $81.9 million, was in imports. Top imports were auto parts ($20.7 million), staple fibers ($9.8 million) and aircraft parts ($8.3 million). The top three port customers by volume in Dougherty County include the defense distribution depot, the U.S. military and Coats & Clark.