Georgia Governor Brian Kemp keynoted the Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Development Authority of Bulloch County, inaugural State of the Region and Business Expo.
The event was held on Monday, October 24, 2022 at J.I. Clements Stadium, home of Georgia Southern Eagle Baseball.
Over 30 local vendors participated in the Business Expo which began an hour prior to the program.
Governor Kemps Address
Governor Kemp opened his remarks recognizing business and political leaders in the audience. He also singled out Aspen Aerogels leaders in the audience and thanked them for choosing Georgia and Bulloch County. Governor Kemp said Georgia is leading the county in economic strength including just being named for the ninth year in a row the number one state for doing business.
In 2022 Georgia saw over 51,000 new private sector jobs announced. Over 21.2 billion in investment coming to our communities. He noted that the majority of those jobs and the vast majority of the investment over 74% will be located outside the metro Atlanta region in communities just like Statesboro. These numbers do not include generic business growth.
"Business know that Georgia is a place that they can succeed and I promise to keep the same energy in pursuing new industrial investments in Georgia in the future," said Governor Kemp.
Since Kemp became Governor Georgia has seen 137,664 new jobs created and over $47 billion in investment come to Georgia. Over $325 million in investment have come to Bulloch County alone during this same period. Over 14,300 new jobs and $8 billion of investment to this region of the state.
Georgia's unemployment rate is at a historic low of 2.8%.
Twice in the last year Georgia has announced the largest economic development projects in the States history. First Rivion and then Hyundai. Both of these companies will invest billions in our state while creating thousands of new jobs.
On Tuesday Governor Kemp will celebrate the Hyundai project with the official groundbreaking at the site in Bryan County. This $5.5 billion investment will create over 8,100 jobs in the coming years.
The program included:
- National Anthem - Dr. Jane Marrero, First Lady GS
- Invocation & Pledge - Jonathan McCollar, Mayor of Statesboro
- Presenting Sponsor - Gregory Kelly, Executive Director Savannah Airport Commission
- Bruce Yawn Announcement - Roy Thompson, Chair Bulloch County Commission
- Introduction of Governor Kemp - Curt Deal, Bulloch County Commissioner
- Keynote Address - Governor Brian Kemp
- Local Economic Development Address - Benjy Thompson, CEO Development Authority of Bulloch
- Regional Economic Development Address - Trip Tollison, CEO Savannah Economic Development Authority
- Champion Recognition - Madison Darsey, Market Manager Hire Dynamics
- Closing Remarks - Jennifer Davis, President Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber
- Allen Davis, Chair, Statesboro-Bulloch Chamber
Click below to watch the full livestream of the event
The Chamber would like to thank the event’s sponsors:
- Presenting Sponsor – Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport
- Venue Sponsor – Georgia Southern University
- Premier Sponsors – Dabbs, Hickman, Hill & Cannon, Georgia Ports Authority and Renasant Bank
- Champion Sponsor – Hire Dynamics
- Executive Sponsors – EMC Engineering, The Foxhall, Hargray, Responsive Technology Partners, and Savannah Economic Development Authority
- Community Sponsors – Bulloch First, Bulloch Solutions, Capstone Benefits Consulting, East Georgia Regional Medical Center, Georgia Power, Maxwell-Reddick & Associates, Morris Bank, Ogeechee Technical College and Synovus.
