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Ryan Waldrep talks small business at chamber luncheon
NEAT award
Chuck Woods and Tyler Fisher are presented with NEAT Neighborhood Champion trophies by Sara Swida of Keep Liberty Beautiful. - photo by Provided
Coastal Courier
Updated: Apr 3, 2018, 1:59 PM
Published: Apr 3, 2018, 2:11 PM

The Liberty County Chamber of Commerce hosted its monthly Progress Through People luncheon recently with guest speaker Ryan Waldrep, assistant director of Entrepreneur and Small Business Development with the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GaDECD).

The luncheon was sponsored by the Hinesville Downtown Development Authority and was a part of Georgia Small Business Week activities countywide.

Waldrep spoke to the more than 90 attendees about his job with the department, as well as provided statistics on the state of small business in Georgia.

“75.8 percent of all Georgia businesses have less than 10 employees, so you are not alone,” he said.  

He provided several examples of the way that small business owners can take advantage of the GaDECD, from options like one-on-one contact and consulting to information on tax credits and connections.

Waldrep further commended work by the Liberty County Development Authority (LCDA) and referenced many partnerships between his organization and the LCDA and the chamber.

“Many people don’t think of Realtors as small business owners, but we really are. And this luncheon was very educational as there were things that I wasn’t aware of and opportunities that I need to take advantage of in the future that are offered to small business owners,” said Kathy Villafane, associate broker with A Plus Realty Group.

During the luncheon, Keep Liberty Beautiful also awarded Chuck Woods and Tyler Fisher with NEAT Neighborhood Champion trophies, as well as a sign for the neighborhood of Crosscreek located in Midway for their efforts at cleaning, planting and sprucing up their entryway.

The quarterly Win-Dex awards were also presented to Coastal Solar and to the Liberty County Chamber/CVB for their efforts in maintaining businesses with a streak-free shine.

“It was honor to be able to present one of these awards to the Chamber/CVB for their efforts in relocating to the historic Bacon Fraser house, as well as the tremendous effort that they make, with the help of CA Sittle Lawn Care, in keeping the property in tip-top shape,” said Sara Swida, executive director of Keep Liberty Beautiful.

To see more about the presentation made by Waldrep, visit www.libertycounty.org under News & Events.

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GPA grows trade, market share
Intermodal volume up 20 percent
port photo
Rubber tired gantry cranes handle cargo at the Chatham Intermodal Container Transfer Facility at the Port of Savannah. The Georgia Ports Authority's Mason Mega Rail project will double rail lift capacity to 1 million containers per year by 2020 - photo by Provided
Staff Report
Updated: Apr 17, 2018, 1:07 PM
Published: Apr 17, 2018, 1:08 PM

The Georgia Ports Authority achieved 14 percent growth in March container volumes, moving 355,208 20-foot equivalent unit (TEU) containers.

From July 2017 to March, TEU container trade grew by 9 percent, or 255,786 additional units for a total of 3.08 million, a new record for Savannah.

"Savannah's continued strength is a reflection of our customers' commitment, Georgia's leadership, and the many dedicated service providers, GPA employees and ILA members who come together every day to achieve great things," said GPA Executive Director Griff Lynch. "March marked our 17th consecutive month of business expansion thanks, in part, to a strong economy and growing market share."

Intermodal rail volumes jumped by 20 percent in March and 15.4 percent for the fiscal year to date, for a total of 318,454 containers handled over nine months – another record for the GPA.

"As the numbers show, our rail cargo is growing at a faster pace than our overall trade," GPA Chairman Jimmy Allgood said. "This is important because rail is playing a key role in our responsible growth strategy. We anticipate our rail infrastructure investments to take 250,000 trucks off the road each year by 2020."

The GPA recently broke ground on its Mason Mega Rail Terminal, on which the Port of Savannah will build 10,000-foot unit trains within its own footprint. From the expanded rail infrastructure at Garden City Terminal, Class I rail providers CSX and Norfolk Southern will provide direct rail service to major Southeast and Midwestern markets from Memphis to St. Louis, Chicago to Cincinnati.

An added benefit is that the Mason Mega Rail project will move all rail switching on terminal – improving vehicle traffic flow around the port.

In August, the GPA will open its Appalachian Regional Port in Murray County. Located in an industrial belt, including the production and export of carpet and flooring, automobiles and tires, the ARP will provide an alternative to all-truck transit to Northwest Georgia.

Each round-trip container moved via the Appalachian Regional Port will offset 710 truck miles on Georgia highways.

March was also a strong month for roll-on/roll-off auto and machinery units at the Port of Brunswick and Ocean Terminal in Savannah. Colonel's Island Terminal in Brunswick handled 66,144 cars, trucks and tractors, while Ocean Terminal added 4,050, for a total 70,194, a 17.2 percent increase.

"The global economy is thriving and our volumes are following suit," Lynch said. "As existing accounts grow their footprint in the expanding auto facility in Brunswick, Georgia's competitive logistical advantages are drawing additional business across all of our docks."

Lynch noted that for the fiscal year to date, Mayor's Point breakbulk terminal in Brunswick grew by 44 percent (34,515 tons) to reach 112,728 tons of forest products. At East River Terminal, bulk cargo expanded by 34 percent July-March (189,918 tons) for a total of 750,384 tons.

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