On Jan. 4, at the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) Annual Meeting SEDA President and CEO Trip Tollison announced that the authority had facilitated 11 company announcements in 2023 that resulted in 3,731 new job opportunities and $2,631,994,199 in capital investment.
Other highlights of the event included announcing the naming of Monahan Drive at the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center after longtime Chatman County Assistant County Manager and City of Savannah City Manager Pat Monahan.
Tollison said about Monahan, “Pat served Chatham County and Savannah for more than 35 years and among his many accomplishments was his instrumental role in making the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center happen. Pat epitomizes the best you can find in public service which in my opinion is integrity mixed with a ‘can-do’ attitude matched with results.”
At the end of the meeting, SEDA Board of Directors Chairperson Paul Hinchey passed the gavel to SEDA Board of Directors Vice Chairperson Kay Ford. Ford will serve as the first woman chairperson in the 99- year history of SEDA. Kal Patel will now serve as vice chairperson and Joyce Roche as secretary/treasurer.
“I am extremely grateful for the leadership and guidance that Paul has provided over the past two years as chairperson. His mentorship has meant a lot to me, and I have learned so much from him,” said Tollison. “I am looking forward to working with Kay as SEDA chairperson in a very exciting time in SEDA’s history. She has been a successful part of the business community for many years and her knowledge will serve us well.”
Additionally, SEDA announced:
- For the fifth year in a row, SEDA received Site Selection magazine’s McKinley “Mac Conway Award for Excellence in Economic Development.
- The Savannah Logistics Innovation Center graduated their second cohort of startup companies for a total of 25 alumni. Companies that have gone through the accelerator program have raised a total of $80 million.
- MovieMaker magazine named Savannah 3rd in their annual ranking of “Best 10 Small Cities and Towns to Live and Work as a Moviemaker” marking the ninth year in a row that Savannah has been ranked in the top three.
- World Trade Center Savannah led the second largest trade delegation to Accra Ghana for the World Trade Center Association General Assembly.
- Continued to support Rockingham and Bloomingdale industrial projects, facilitating four announced tenants with more than $250 million in private capital investment.
- The Savannah JDA completed site preparation of the Bryan County Megasite for Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America.
- Completed a comprehensive workforce study in partnership with the Savannah JDA and partners and will launch a robust program in 2024.
- Continued to partner and support the ambitious pace of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America.
- Secured four tenants in the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center, including three Tier-1 Hyundai Motor Group suppliers for a total commitment of 1,767 job opportunities and a capital investment of $230,596,350.
Jan. 4, 2024