WJCL is investigating the impacts of business and industry in and around Savannah, from jobs to traffic and everything in-between. What stories would you like to see covered as part of our ‘Boomtown’ series? Email us at Boomtown@WJCL.com.Download the WJCL App for breaking news alerts: Apple | Google PlayThe Hyundai Meta Plant in Bryan County is going to change our area as we know it.”This project is going to affect every aspect of the region. I mean, from port to airport to, you name it,” said Tripp Tollison with the Savannah Economic Development Authority.Since the project was announced back in 2022, leaders across the state of Georgia have been hard at work preparing.The meta plant is expected to bring thousands of jobs, meaning thousands of people will be moving to the area with their families.”If you think we’ve got problems now, think about the population doubling and what that’s going to look like,” Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis said.Chatham County leaders are working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation to prepare the roads.”We have to make sure that the roads and things are going to be conducive for folks getting out of their homes in the morning and in the afternoon that they travel,” Ellis said.There are also several expansion projects underway at the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport.”Senator Warnock and I are delivering substantial upgrades to the airport in Savannah. We want passenger safety and the experience to be upgraded,” Sen. Jon Ossoff said earlier this year.City and county leaders are also keeping their eyes on the housing market.”We are talking to the homebuilders and the realtors who are dealing with housing. We’re having conversations with them about how to get the pricing down so that folks may obtain the housing that they need,” Ellis said.They are also looking at building new homes.”The first thing we got to do is get a handle on what the zoning looks like. You know, when you when you look at homebuilders, apartment builders, any kind of housing infrastructure, folks want to know where they can go and start building and we need to get a good handle on that,” said Tollison. “In our jobs, we don’t want to try to go after a project or put a development in an area where it’s, you know, it’s too environmentally sensitive or or not a good fit.”The Port of Savannah is getting ready as well.Ellis said the plant will likely make things busier at the port, which is partly why they’re looking at deepening the Savannah harbor once again to make room for bigger cargo ships.”We are in conversations with the Corps of Engineers, and they’re a lead in this,” Ellis said.All of this is hard work requiring a lot of planning, but it is a challenge local leaders say they’re ready to take on.”It’s not a question of are we going to be able to handle it. It’s a it’s a statement of we’re going to do it,” Tollison said.The Hyundai Meta Plant is set to be built by early 2025.
WJCL is investigating the impacts of business and industry in and around Savannah, from jobs to traffic and everything in-between. What stories would you like to see covered as part of our ‘Boomtown’ series? Email us at Boomtown@WJCL.com.
Download the WJCL App for breaking news alerts: Apple | Google Play
The Hyundai Meta Plant in Bryan County is going to change our area as we know it.
“This project is going to affect every aspect of the region. I mean, from port to airport to, you name it,” said Tripp Tollison with the Savannah Economic Development Authority.
Since the project was announced back in 2022, leaders across the state of Georgia have been hard at work preparing.
The meta plant is expected to bring thousands of jobs, meaning thousands of people will be moving to the area with their families.
“If you think we’ve got problems now, think about the population doubling and what that’s going to look like,” Chatham County Commission Chairman Chester Ellis said.
Chatham County leaders are working closely with the Georgia Department of Transportation to prepare the roads.
“We have to make sure that the roads and things are going to be conducive for folks getting out of their homes in the morning and in the afternoon that they travel,” Ellis said.
There are also several expansion projects underway at the Savannah Hilton Head International Airport.
“Senator Warnock and I are delivering substantial upgrades to the airport in Savannah. We want passenger safety and the experience to be upgraded,” Sen. Jon Ossoff said earlier this year.
City and county leaders are also keeping their eyes on the housing market.
“We are talking to the homebuilders and the realtors who are dealing with housing. We’re having conversations with them about how to get the pricing down so that folks may obtain the housing that they need,” Ellis said.
They are also looking at building new homes.
“The first thing we got to do is get a handle on what the zoning looks like. You know, when you when you look at homebuilders, apartment builders, any kind of housing infrastructure, folks want to know where they can go and start building and we need to get a good handle on that,” said Tollison. “In our jobs, we don’t want to try to go after a project or put a development in an area where it’s, you know, it’s too environmentally sensitive or or not a good fit.”
The Port of Savannah is getting ready as well.
Ellis said the plant will likely make things busier at the port, which is partly why they’re looking at deepening the Savannah harbor once again to make room for bigger cargo ships.
“We are in conversations with the Corps of Engineers, and they’re a lead in this,” Ellis said.
All of this is hard work requiring a lot of planning, but it is a challenge local leaders say they’re ready to take on.
“It’s not a question of are we going to be able to handle it. It’s a it’s a statement of we’re going to do it,” Tollison said.
The Hyundai Meta Plant is set to be built by early 2025.