NEWS

On Wednesday, over 900 Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce members gathered at the Savannah Convention Center for the highly anticipated 2025 Economic Outlook Luncheon. The event featured annual economic forecasts at regional, state, and national levels, offering valuable insights to business leaders and stakeholders in our community.

Dr. Michael Toma, Fuller E. Callaway Professor of Economics at Georgia Southern University, provided an in-depth analysis of the Savannah area’s economic trajectory. Meanwhile, Dr. Benjamin Ayers, Dean of the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business, presented state and national projections.

According to Dr. Toma, the Savannah region can expect continued employment growth in 2025, with an unemployment rate predicted to range between 3.3% and 3.5%, lower than the national average. While growth is being driven by the region’s ports and expanding manufacturing base, including Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and its network of suppliers, potential challenges include rising fuel costs, foreign conflicts, and evolving trade policies.

Tourism remains a major contributor to Savannah’s economy, with sustained contributions to local job creation and revenue. As the year unfolds, the insights shared at the luncheon will help guide strategic planning and decision-making across industries in Savannah and the surrounding region.

Please click HERE to view the Chamber 2025 Economic Trends booklet sponsored by Truist.

Thank you to our community sponsors who made this event possible:

Title:
Gulfstream
Hyundai

Presenting:
Savannah/Hilton Head International
Stagefront

Corporate:
Atlantic Waste
Barnes Catering
Bernard Williams & Company
Core Credit Union
Corporate Environments
Fifth Third Bank
First Onsite
Goodwill Of Southeast Georgia
HunterMaclean
Hussey Gay Bell
LS3P Architecture
Mauldin & Jenkins
McGriff Insurance
Memorial Health
Norfolk Southern
Savannah College Of Art And Design
Southstate Bank
Thomas & Hutton
Guerry Lumber
United Community Bank.