News

Ashley Gowen is no stranger to Folkston and Charlton County, though she is new to her role leading the Chamber of Commerce along with promoting tourism and economic development.  A Folkston native, she is passionate about promoting her home town and attracting local businesses to join her in enhancing Folkston’s reputation as a tourist destination. “We’re excited about the future and growth in our tourism industry especially as we focus on the rail watch experience and the National Wildlife Refuge (the only federally operated entrance to the Okefenokee Swamp),” Ashley said.  She also wants to promote the area as more of [...]

World Trade Center Savannah is excited to launch quarterly exporter roundtables specifically for companies who are exporting and/or have a strong interest in exporting. The meetings will include networking, lunch, a short presentation and facilitated discussion. The cost is $30/roundtable. WTCSav partners will receive a 50% discount using the code Export2019.   This group was created by and for business leaders actively engaged in international trade. You will have the opportunity to learn best practices and build an export network of companies in Southeast Georgia where you can learn from each other, discuss common challenges and find new solutions. More information [...]

World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) in partnership with Georgia Power, welcomed an international business delegation from Ireland for the Savannah Gateway Regional Showcase (SGRS). Our tours and discussions highlighted the quality of life and business opportunities found here.  The SEGA Alliance made new connections with company leaders from Ireland.  Hope to see them again in the future!        

  You are invited to apply to be a part of World Trade Center Savannah’s Business and Trade Delegation to Savannah, Georgia U.S.A. April 1-4, 2019 Every year World Trade Center Savannah, in partnership with Georgia Power, welcomes an international business delegation to the Coastal Georgia Region during the Savannah Music Festival. By working with our partners to showcase the region, our intention is to further develop trade opportunities, increase foreign-direct investment and help our regional businesses expand internationally. Guests of the week-long showcase will learn first-hand the economic assets and strategic advantages of the region through industry visits, targeted business-matchmaking meetings and [...]

  Article & Photo courtesy of The Brunswick News DARIEN — Art Lucas called Wednesday a “bluebird day’’ as he led a ceremonial ground-breaking for a three-story condominium complex, a 40-plus room boutique hotel and a stand-alone restaurant all overlooking the Darien River. Lucas stood before a mixed backdrop of shrimpboat rigging, sailboat masts, billowing wild rice and an excavator as he announced that construction would begin soon on Oaks on the River. Work will begin first on the dozen 2,200-square-foot condominiums on the eastern end of the project that will stretch along the waterfront from the former George’s Boat Works [...]

The Brantley County Development Authority today announced the hiring of a new Executive Director, Mel Baxter. Mr. Baxter is a veteran of the Community and Economic Development profession having spent the last ten years in the discipline, which includes six years on the Board of the Brunswick Glynn County Development Authority, two of those as Chair of the Board, and the next four years as their President.  He retired as full time CEO of the Glynn County Development Authority in September. Mr. Baxter will work with the Development Authority Board of Directors’ members and in coordination with the elected officials and [...]

Moore currently heads the Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Department and has held that position since May 2013.  He assumes the position currently held by Mel Baxter, who announced his retirement in March. During his tenure in Athens, Moore helped establish its new economic development department. He increased the budget from $550,000 to $775,000 in a five year period, and participated in efforts to attract more than 750 jobs and $170 million in direct investment. Prior to joining the Athens-Clarke County government, Moore was employed as a project manager for the Effingham County Industrial Development Authority.   “I’m eager and excited to [...]

Dawn Malin who most recently served as CEO of the Development Authority of the City of Folkston; Charlton County and the Okefenokee Chamber of Commerce. Dawn is also a member of the World Trade Center-Savannah and has traveled and hosted representatives from various international countries, promoting economic development in the region. She currently serves as the Chairman of the Southeast Georgia Alliance, a six-county regional partnership working to market and promote investment, business and manufacturing opportunities in the Southeast Georgia region. She is a graduate of the Georgia Academy for Economic Development and has attended numerous Economic Development courses through the [...]

Coastal Pines Technical College rolled out plans for a new diploma program during a presentation at the Georgia Marine Workforce Summit last week at Crooked River State Park. Camden area students will have the opportunity in the near future to earn a 40-hour marine engine technology diploma at the college, which also will offer 15- and 17-hour certificate programs for basic marine engine technician and basic marine servicing technician. The program fits into the economic development agenda that the Joint Development Authority hopes will bring more employers and more jobs to the county. Meeting of the minds The JDA organized the [...]

FRAM Renewable Fuels L.L.C., of Hazelhurst, GA, will create 35 production jobs and 35-40 transportation jobs when it reopens the shuttered wood pellet plant in Nahunta, Brantley County, Georgia. Chuck Scragg, Interim Executive Director of the Brantley County Development Authority announced that FRAM had purchased the former SEGA Biofuels Nahunta plant from the Federal Bankruptcy Court. As one of the large scale producers of wood pellets in the U.S., FRAM Renewable Fuels strives to be a significant, reliable, and sustainable supplier of solid biomass fuel to European Utilities. The Fram team has many years of experience n the forestry industry as [...]