Savannah Economic Development Authority

Savannah Economic Development Authority's (SEDA) mission is "to help create, grow, and attract new job opportunities and investment in the Savannah region." SEDA was founded in 1925 and first named as the Savannah Port Authority by the legislature. In 1945, Savannah Port Authority then became the Georgia Ports Authority. In 1989, it was finally renamed as the Savannah Economic Development Authority to reflect their mission and responsibilities better. In 1967, the Gulfstream Aerospace company relocated their headquarters to Savannah, bringing more economic development to the city. SEDA purchased and developed Crossroads Business Center as a major distribution center from 1986-1996; their first tenant was Home Depot. In 1997, the state of Georgia developed the Chatham County Development Site where Mitsubishi Cars and Amazon created distribution centers. In 1998, the JCB company breaks ground on new 500,000 square foot manufacturing facility and North American headquarters within Savannah. In the 1990s, SEDA helped with the development of Hutchinson Island.

In 2011, the World Trade Center of Savannah was founded, which is the international part of SEDA. In 2014, SEDA created the Savannah Regional Film Commision which helped foster job opportunities within the state. Additionally in 2014, the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority was formed which connected Savannah with surrounding counties. SEDA opened the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center in 2020. Hyundai Motor group announced their new facility on 3,000 acres at the Bryan County Megasite to build electric vehicles in 2022.