Georgia Sea Grant helps coastal communities plan for port expansion
As the $706 million Savannah Harbor Expansion Project begins, the University of Georgia and Georgia Sea Grant will help coastal residents adapt to changes that are expected to bring additional jobs and prosperity to their communities.
“The changes will affect the entire coastal corridor between Georgia’s two main maritime ports, and we want to help each community benefit from the development,” said Stephen Ramos, assistant professor in UGA’s College of Environment and Design, who received funding from Georgia Sea Grant to conduct research and consult with the coastal communities.
During the construction phase of the planned harbor deepening project, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimates that 3,700 one-year jobs will be created within Georgia and South Carolina. Ramos will investigate the best ways for communities to accommodate the temporary workforce and study whether it could translate into long-term job creation. He also will look at whether local communities need to invest in infrastructure improvements to accommodate additional truck and rail traffic. The number of cargo containers requiring transportation following the port expansion is expected to increase from 2.9 million to 6.5 million by 2030.
“All of these changes are very positive for coastal Georgia,” said Hopkinson. “We just need to make sure that our coastal communities are prepared.”
The port is the fourth busiest container port and creator of $18.5 billion annually in personal income from related jobs, and plans
Georgia Sea Grant is one of 33 programs in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant network that enhance the practical use and conservation of resources in coastal and Great Lake states. A unit of UGA Public Service and Outreach, Georgia Sea Grant provides research, education and outreach to create a sustainable economy and environment in coastal Georgia. For more information, see http://georgiaseagrant.uga.edu.
Dollar General celebrates new store
Dollar General will celebrate the opening of its new location at 1465 Quacco Rd in Pooler at 8 a.m. today.
The first 50 adult shoppers at the store will receive a $10 Dollar General gift card and the first 200 shoppers will receive a Dollar General tote bag, among other giveaways.
“Dollar General is committed to delivering a pleasant shopping experience that includes a convenient location, a wide assortment of merchandise and great prices on quality products,” said Dan Nieser, Dollar General’s senior vice president of real estate and store development. “We hope our Pooler customers will enjoy shopping at Dollar General’s new location.”
Dollar General stores offer a focused selection of national name brands and private brands of food, housewares, seasonal items, cleaning supplies, basic apparel and health/beauty products. Traditional Dollar General stores employ approximately six to 10 people, depending on the need. Anyone interested in joining the Dollar General team may visit the Career section at www.dollargeneral.com.
Jared’s jewelers holding ribbon cutting
Jared The Galleria Of Jewelry has announced the grand opening of its first store in Savannah. A special grand opening celebration will take place today at 7805 Abercorn Street, Chatham Plaza at 10 a.m.
During the grand opening celebration, guests can enter for a chance to win a pair of 1-carat diamond earrings valued at nearly $4,000. In addition, the first 200 guests will receive a complimentary gift valued at over $100.
