With Port Tour, Business and Civic Leaders Explore the Link between the South Fulton area and Savannah

The South Fulton Community Improvement District (South Fulton CID), with its significant warehousing and the Fairburn CSX Intermodal Facility, isn’t just a part of Georgia’s economy; it’s a driving force. Its growth has been fueled by direct access to the Port of Savannah, the single largest and fastest-growing container port in the U.S. Recognizing this connection, the South Fulton CID brought together a group of local business and civic leaders from the South Fulton area to tour the Port of Savannah and strengthen our understanding of the link between these two economic centers.

The visit began with a networking dinner in Savannah, bringing together CID board members, city representatives, and logistics partners. Discussions focused on strategies to enhance the district’s logistics capabilities.

During the tour led by Stacy Watson, the Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Director of Economic & Industrial Development, attendees got an up-close view of the port’s operations. Here’s a snapshot of what we learned:

• The Port of Savannah is the main port gateway for the Southeast region and the fourth busiest port in the U.S., handling just over 9 percent of total U.S. containerized cargo volume.
• The port is strategically located to reach 37.2 million residents and 11 major metro areas within a 300-mile radius, making it an indispensable link in the region’s supply chain.
• It handles an impressive 4.2 million containers each year. Many of these containers are loaded onto trains and sent directly to the CSX Intermodal Facility in Fairburn, Ga. and nearby warehouses.
• Spanning 10,000 feet, the port can accommodate several ships simultaneously, boosting its cargo handling efficiency and capacity for international trade.
• Additional projects either underway or recently completed, including the Mid-American Arc initiative and the International Multimodal Connector, are expanding the port’s reach, with inland rail connections to other major Southeastern markets.

By taking the tour, the South Fulton CID and the area’s business community got a clear picture of how we fit into Georgia and the Southeast’s economic puzzle. The insights gained are expected to inform future strategies and actions within South Fulton’s own expansive logistics network, with the shared goal of enhancing the efficiency and economic vitality of the greater Atlanta region.