Source: Michael E. Kanell – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Greg Bluestein – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
SAVANNAH — After decades of political wrangling and environmental roadblocks and nearly seven years of dredging muck from the river bottom, one of Georgia’s most anticipated economic development projects — the nearly $1 billion deepening of the Savannah River channel — is finally complete.
The work to deepen 38 miles of winding, narrow river channel by five feet was designed to make importing and exporting goods cheaper and more efficient aboard ever-larger freighters. The deepening will also help Savannah, now the third-busiest port in the U.S., stay ahead of expansions at competing harbors on the Eastern Seaboard, ports officials say.
Economists say the economic impact from the Savannah port washes over the entire state. Logistics jobs tied to the Savannah port have nearly doubled statewide in the past two decades. But a lot of work lies ahead for Georgia to keep its competitive edge. Read More…