Each year we ask representatives of Savannah business organizations to give us their wish lists for the coming year, outlining their priorities and goals for the greater community.
Their responses below reflect a broad range of issues facing Savannah, from crime reduction to fostering more startups to downtown’s unprecedented development.
Joseph Marinelli, president of Visit Savannah
1) An increasing number of international travelers. Visitors from other countries typically spend 15-50 percent more than domestic travelers and often stay five days or longer.
In 2014, the strongest feeder market countries to Savannah and Tybee Island were Canada (of course), the U.K., Germany, France, Italy and Australia. Looking forward, we continue to expect growth from South America, specifically Brazil, and an increased number taking advantage of the new Delta flights from China.
2) Continued air service development. The “Jet Blue Effect” has been very noticeable with more New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox logos visible on River Street than ever before. One local car rental company said it has tripled its staffing levels since Jet Blue started service to Savannah.
Increasing air service to our market is extremely competitive, and we all know which airline is the number one target, so hopefully we can continue to see growth in this area.
3) A new and very different Savannah retail experience. With a new Tanger Outlet Mall scheduled to open in Pooler and a significant retail face-lift happening in the Landmark Historic District, new shopping benefits us as residents but also works in our favor to attract more — and new — visitors to our community.
Brady Cannon, programs director of the Technology Association of Georgia for Savannah
2014 was a banner year for Savannah’s tech startup ecosystem, highlighted by two Savannah startups receiving funding. Soon, how you pay parking and traffic tickets (Quickit) and capture video on Go Pro cameras (Aetho) will be significantly improved thanks to innovative Savannah companies.
2015 is primed to be an even stronger year for Savannah’s startup community. Here’s my 2015 wish list:
1) More tech startups.
Savannah and Coastal Georgia are home to tens of thousands of college and university students, the fastest growing port in the U.S., and several advanced manufacturing companies.
Millions of people from around the world visit our city every year. Savannah has gorgeous squares, Forsyth Park, bike lanes, and short commutes. 2015 will be the year more students, engineers, developers, and hackers launch or relocate their tech startup in Savannah.
2) More funding.
A lack of access to capital is a serious issue facing startups in Georgia, specifically Savannah. This began to change with recent successes of Aetho and Quickit, but Savannah has a long way to go.
New connections with Atlanta VC investors, local resources like Ariel Southeast Angel Partners and SLAAM Ventures, the emergence of The Guild Hall and the (hopefully) inevitable allocation of money to the Invest Georgia Fund will fuel Savannah startups in 2015.
3) More love — Savannah has a growing tech community and a passionate ecosystem of resources to support it. Savannah’s tech scene will continue expanding in 2015.
Greater coverage from local media and more attention and respect from Savannah’s traditional business sector will propel it even further.
Trey Cook, incoming chairman of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce
1) I wish for what we all deserve, a safe and productive community where no matter where you are, you are safe, where people strive for and understand the great value of education and job skills and where all those taking such personal responsibility have productive careers providing for the economic needs of their families.
2) I wish for a renewed commitment for greater and effective communications and cooperation among our many elected and governmental leaders. With this commitment, challenges such as the police merger can be negotiated, resulting in fair cost-sharing and a shared and a fair voice in leadership. Fewer entities serving us well should be the goal rather than more fragmentation.
3) I wish for a greater commitment to regionalism with the understanding that the counties of coastal Georgia and those adjacent in South Carolina are all part of our solutions as well as our weaknesses. Through working together, we can become even more of a formidable economic force benefiting all of our residents.
4) Lastly, I wish for the continued safety of all our military and first responders who make our wonderful way of life possible.
Sylvester Formey, chairman of the Savannah Airport Commission
1) I wish for successful passage by Congress of FAA re-authorization legislation with a modernization component for passenger facility charges.
Since the current legislation, which funds the FAA, expires in September, Congress will begin working on new enabling rules immediately upon return from recess. It is important for the public to understand that airports require the user fees applied to airline ticket prices.
These passenger facility charges — or PFCs — generate funding for large capital improvement and expansion projects such as new and improved runways/taxiways as well as terminal building improvements
2) I wish for an additional low-cost carrier to augment and build on the success of Jet Blue to high passenger demand destinations. With that, I wish for the local support necessary for that carrier’s success.
3) I would love to see the return of daily nonstop service to Washington, D.C., and south Florida.
Eric Johnson, founding and outgoing chairman of the World Trade Center Savannah
1) After three successful years, I wish for the World Trade Center Savannah to continue to strategically add and keep partners that we can effectively help meet goals for growth through the access, opportunities, programs and services we offer.
2) I wish for WTC to host our first outbound trade mission for companies interested in doing business in Germany. We have hosted many inbound groups from around the world over the past three years but SEDA has invested in a strategic business development effort focused specifically in Germany over the past two years. This would be our first organized outbound trade and investment mission for area businesses and economic development authorities.
3)
Finally, in 2015 I hope to see WTC receive official designation as a EB-5 regional center and successfully secure funding for our first project to create more jobs, attract more investment to the area while generating revenue to further support WTCSav efforts and keep our partner investment levels reasonable.