Mayor's Vision: Atlanta to be Logistics Hub of Western Hemisphere

Staff Report

Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed has issued a statement on Monday's signing by President Barack Obama of the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, which authorized the beginning of construction of the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project. 

Federal studies show that for every dollar invested in the deepening, the nation’s economy will reap $5.50 in net benefits. Lower prices per container slot on Post-Panamax vessels will save U.S. companies moving goods through Savannah 20 to 40 percent on transportation. Port users can realize further savings on land transit because of the terminal’s adjacent network of distribution centers and its location 100 miles closer to Atlanta than any other port.

Georgia’s deepwater ports and inland barge terminals support more than 352,000 jobs throughout the state annually and contribute $18.5 billion in income, $66.9 billion in revenue and $2.5 billion in state and local taxes to Georgia’s economy. The Port of Savannah handled 8 percent of the U.S. containerized cargo volume and 10.9 percent of all U.S. containerized exports in FY2013.

Said Reed: "The President’s signature [Monday] morning on the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014 heralds a new era of strategic investment in America’s ports and waterways. This bipartisan legislation cuts federal red tape and bureaucracy and strengthens the nation’s water transportation networks to promote long-term competitiveness, prosperity, and economic growth.

"Work can now begin in earnest on the Savannah Harbor Expansion Project, bringing with it significant economic benefits to the entire state of Georgia and the metro Atlanta region. I have said many times  that my vision is for Atlanta to be the logistics hub of the Western Hemisphere, where ideas, people and goods connect. The Port of Savannah, with a deeper harbor, is an essential part of that vision.

"I am grateful to the Obama Administration and share the President’s belief that infrastructure investmentsare critical to improving America's competitiveness, strengthening the middle class, and growing our economy."