by C.J. Gustafson
BusinessSchools.com Contributing Writer
October 23, 2004
In 1733, James Edward Oglethorpe led a group of over 100 English settlers
to what is now Savannah, Georgia. Today, the city has a population of over 140,000
residents, but at the time, there was only a small Indian community and a trading
post. On the banks of the river, Oglethorpe founded a town with the intent of
establishing the 13th colony of Georgia. He named the town Savannah after the
native word for the river. Drawing on the export of agricultural products such
as rice and cotton, the town grew and survived through wars and the Depression.
The city's economy began to diversify in the 1930s when the Union Bag and Paper
Company opened a large plant just west of the city, taking advantage of its
river location.  In the 1950s, citizens began a movement to preserve the historical
features of Savannah, an effort that has capitalized on historic architecture,
notable landmarks, and southern charm to create a booming tourist and film business.
Over five million tourists visited Savannah in 2001, spending $1 billion. This
influx of revenue has benefited industries and businesses across the city and
created numerous opportunities for business students and graduates.
With an historic southern community already intact, Savannah has been the location site for several movies, including "Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil." It was this movie that most recently created additional interest in the city and increased the number of visitors. This emphasis on tourism provides many employment opportunities for business graduates seeking careers in e-commerce, marketing and business management.
Breakdown of Businesses
Tourism is only one aspect of the region's economic base. In the Savannah
Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is comprised of Chatham County and neighboring
Effingham and Bryan counties, the services sector employs the largest number
of people at 32%. Retail/wholesale follows with 26% and then government with
15 %. Manufacturing, at 12%, and transportation at 8%, complete the top ten sectors
list.
Savannah has over 45 companies that employ 100 or more people, including over
twenty that are Fortune 500 companies. Gulfstream Aerospace is the area's largest
employer with more than 4,300 workers. Memorial Health and St Joseph's/Candler
hospitals each employ several thousand workers as well, providing many apprenticeship
and paid employment opportunities for business students and graduates. Other
large or well-known employers in the area include Georgia-Pacific Savannah River,
Kroger grocery stores, and Wal-Mart.
Savannah's Appeal
What draws people and businesses to Savannah? Georgia Trend magazine called Savannah a city that "is a carefully preserved colonial coastal village with a hip lifestyle that is attracting new residents." In describing some of the most appealing aspects of Savannah's economy and business community, Savannah Chamber of Commerce President, William Hubbard said, "Economic drivers such as our ports, manufacturing and tourism industry support Savannah's diverse economy that is consistently strong with tremendous potential for growth. Savannah provides a variety of employment options from health and social services to state-of-the-art technology and the military."
Savannah has many organizations that help keep its business base strong and draw skilled employees and new companies. They also provide business and economic information for people considering working or studying in the city. Some of the more prominent of those organizations include the City of Savannah, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Savannah Economic Development Authority.
Educational Opportunities
Savannah also has several colleges and universities that offer training and
degrees for those interested in business. South University - Savannah Campus, Armstrong
Atlantic State University, Savannah State
University, and Saint Leo University
offer opportunities for students to train for business and administration careers
in fields such as health care, criminal justice, and nursing.  Students also can earn Marketing degrees, Public Relations degrees, Accounting degrees, E-commerce degrees, and Economics degrees. Several schools offer MBA programs.
Additional options include Brewton-Parker College,
which offers a degree in business administration via evening and weekend courses,
and Savannah Technical College, which is
the third fastest-growing two-year college of its size in the country. In addition
to the numerous business course offerings, the school works closely with Savannah
businesses and development organizations to promote workforce training.
With a pleasant coastal community, one of the most intriguing historical districts in the country, and plenty of educational and employment opportunities, Savannah is likely to continue to attract business students from around the world.
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