The Georgia Port Authority supports 439,220 full- and part-time jobs across the state, according to a study released by the Selig Center for Economic Growth at UGA's Terry College of Business.

 

The Georgia Ports Authority board reviewed the study's findings at its meeting Monday. The latest figure is based on Fiscal Year 2017 impacts, and represents an increase of 70,000 jobs (up 19 percent) compared to the previous report covering FY2014. Georgia ports now account for 9 percent of total state employment, or one out of 11 jobs. Personal income derived from port-supported jobs totaled $25 billion statewide in FY2017.

 

According to the report, authored by Dr. Jeffrey Humphreys, port activity accounted for 11 percent of Georgia's total sales in FY2017, reaching $106 billion. "Deepwater ports are one of Georgia's strongest economic engines, fostering the development of virtually every industry," Humphreys stated in the report. "The ports are especially supportive of other forms of transportation, manufacturing, wholesale and distribution centers, and agriculture."

 

The Terry College of Business study found that maritime trade amounts to $44 billion in state gross domestic product, or 8 percent of Georgia's total GDP. Business conducted through the ports resulted in $5.9 billion in federal taxes, $1.4 billion in state taxes and $1.5 billion in local taxes, according to the report.