Military
Ft. Stewart, located just outside of the Savannah MSA, and Hunter Army Airfield generate substantial economic activity in the Savannah CSA.
The federal government presence in southeastern Georgia is a substantial and steadying component of the regional economy. In additional to the notable military presence in the region, additional federal government agencies are present including the U.S. District Court, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Census Bureau, and Internal Revenue Service.
Ft. Stewart, located in the Hinesville MSA immediately south of the Savannah metro region, and Hunter Army Airfield (AAF) in the City of Savannah generate substantial economic activity in the Savannah CSA. Ft. Stewart and Hunter AAF have an annual financial impact of $5 billion. Fort Stewart is the largest military installation east of the Mississippi River and covers nearly 288,000 acres with another 6,000 acres at Hunter Army Airfield. In 2022, total military employment in the Savannah and Hinesville MSAs was 22,611 while federal civilian employment was 6,579. In addition, over 11,300 retired military personnel make their home in southeastern Georgia.
Daily Working Population
| Year | Military | Civilian | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 27,314 | 4,077 | 31,391 |
| 2013 | 23,149 | 4,077 | 27,226 |
| 2014 | 23,315 | 3,883 | 27,198 |
| 2015 | 22,422 | 3,891 | 26,313 |
| 2016 | 23,000 | 4,000 | 27,000 |
| 2017 | 20,989 | 6,645 | 27,634 |
| 2018 | 21,008 | 6,645 | 27,653 |
| 2019 | 21,695 | 6,719 | 28,414 |
| 2020 | 21,962 | 6,804 | 28,766 |
| 2021 | 22,552 | 6,645 | 29,197 |
The Savannah Air National Guard Base is at the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport. Based there are the 165th Airlift Wing, and the Air Dominance Center. Located at Hunter Army Airfield is the Georgia Air National Guard’s 117th Air Control Squadron. The 165th’s mission focus is Air Mobility – flying the C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft – delivering global air transportation of equipment and supplies during times of war and natural disasters. The mission of the 117th is to provide theater command with air battle management, radar surveillance, air space control, and long haul communication capabilities to plan and execute combined air operations.
The Air Dominance Center (ADC), a Combat Readiness Training Center, plays host to units from across the country benefiting from the tremendous airspace and facilities supporting the world’s most technologically advanced fighter aircraft. Notably, funding for a $24 million hangar to support the Air Force’s most modern aircraft has been secured. The direct expenditures of 165th Airlift Wing are $102 million, 80% of which is compensation and allowances to military and civilian personnel. In 2019, the total economic impact was $174 million.
