Economic Development's vision statement:
Savannah is an economically thriving and financially prosperous community for all its citizens.
Economic Development's mission statement
To facilitate economic development activities that assist in fostering and sustaining diversified economies to engender a strong local economy, provide for a better quality of life in Savannah neighborhoods and decrease the number of individuals living below the poverty level through business development and enhancement, community and corridor revitalization, and asset building.
The Economic Development Department is in the Bureau of Public Development and operates the Savannah Entrepreneurial Center, Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprise Program, Weed and Seed Program and is responsible for the revitalization of 16 targeted corridors. Other activities within the department include Financial Literacy training, partnership in an individual Development Account Program with the Economic Opportunities Authority and participation in a collaboration to provide a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program to maximize tax refunds for persons with low to moderate incomes through the Earned Income Tax Credit.
The department also supports, in various forms, Step up, Savannah Poverty Reduction Initiative, Economic Opportunity Authority, Youth Futures Authority, Leadership Development Institute, City of Savannah YouthBuild Program, and Savannah State University YouthBuild Program.
Collaboration with other Economic Development Organizations includes the Savannah Development & Renewal Authority (SDRA), Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) and its The Creative Coast technology initiative, and Savannah-area Chamber of Commerce.
The mission is accomplished through the following efforts:
Business Development Loans
Entrepreneurial Center
Poverty Reduction Initiative
Targeted Corridor Revitalization
Minority/Women Business Enterprise Program
West Savannah Revitalization Plan
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Target Area Map
Collaboration with Other Economic Development Organizations
The City continues to work in collaboration with other organizations to ensure that there is a comprehensive approach to economic development. Through the Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA) and Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, the City has a voice in shaping the local economic environment.
The City's budget provides for the activities of the Savannah Development and Renewal Authority (SDRA). The following tenets will guide the economic development activities during the coming years:
1. A focus on sustainable economic development to create an environment for commerce that meets the needs of citizens over extended periods of time. It is essential that we support a resilient local economy that weathers shifts in national and international trends.
2. Realistic strategies that build local capacity to carry forward economic development activities in the absence of government funding. In order to help residents empower themselves, they must be provided with information and access to resources that will assist them to be self-sustaining.
3. The creation of physical and social infrastructure
for economic development. This will be
accomplished by providing resources to
improve education and training that are linked
to local and national economies.
4. A commitment to support small business development programs and financing mechanisms to address a continuum of needs.
5. Collaboration with public and private sector partners to ensure that the approach to economic development is a holistic one and that it integrates the needs of all segments of the community.
Although this plan will provide a blue print for the City's economic activities, the development of any plan is an on-going and evolving process. The impact of technology, as well as the other economic trends, cannot be understated. The City's role is to ensure that public policy and the activities of the private sector are consistent with the needs of all our citizens.
For more information, contact:
MarRonde Lotson, Director
Economic Development Department
2 E. Bay Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Ph: (912) 651-3653
Fax: (912) 651-7616
marronde_lotson@savannahga.gov
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