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 total state 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. “As powerful economic drivers, the ports of Savannah and Brunswick are a key part of the pro-job creator environment we’ve fostered to ensure every part of our state can thrive.”

“Georgia’s ports are one of the strongest economic engines, fostering the development of virtually every industry,” added Jeff Humphreys, director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia, which conducted the economic impact study.

“The ports are especially supportive of other forms of transportation, logistics, wholesale/distribution centers, warehousing, manufacturing, agriculture, forestry, and mining.”

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.

The top three exports were forest products, food, and automotive cargo. The top imports were machinery, retail goods, and furniture.

Activity at the ports also yields $10 billion in federal tax revenue each year, $3 billion in state taxes, and $3 billion in local taxes.

Capitol Beat is a nonprofit news service operated by the Georgia Press Educational Foundation that provides coverage of state government to newspapers throughout Georgia. For more information visit capitol-beat.org.