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CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. — On Wednesday, officials from Savannah and Chatham County are venturing to a different gold dome in Atlanta as they participate in Savannah Chatham Day. This event provides a prime opportunity for local officials to engage with state representatives, strategizing on how to best support Georgia’s prominent city and one of its largest counties.
This week, these leaders will convene at the Georgia State Capitol to discuss essential topics such as funding, infrastructure, and regional development. Savannah and Chatham County have the strategic advantage of presenting their needs early in the state legislative session.
“We’ll have 700 folks from Savannah come up to Atlanta and participate in Savannah-Chatham Day, which is amazing, and it’s more than any other city around the state. We really make a big showing in Atlanta,” noted Bert Brantley, the President & CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce.
Savannah officials emphasize that their legislative priorities this year focus heavily on securing funding and planning for the future. A key item on their agenda is bolstering state tourism marketing, which they argue supports over 28,000 hospitality jobs in the Savannah area and fuels economic revenue.
Addressing homelessness stands as another significant objective, with Governor Kemp proposing a $50 million allocation statewide—a share of which local leaders hope will benefit Savannah. According to Homeless No More, Chatham County faces a considerable homeless issue, primarily driven by economic hardships and a shortage of affordable housing.
Education funding is also a key focus, with projects tied to Savannah State University, Georgia Southern, and Savannah Tech.
“We’re growing. There’s lot of areas of the country and around the area of the state that aren’t. So, really everything we work on is about how do we take this unique situation we’re in. We’ve had these amazing investments by Gulfstream, by Hyundai and by JCB. These manufacturers along with our military, and our ports and our tourism as well,” said Brantley.
Infrastructure remains a priority as population growth continues, following last year’s major state investment in a regional water system serving Savannah and neighboring counties. Organizers say all these agenda items they are bringing to Atlanta this week require state funding or approval.
The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce shared a more detailed outline with on their goals. This year, they are bringing forward seven key categories: Workforce, Economic Development and Tourism; Education; Healthcare; Transportation and Infrastructure; Military Support; and Public Safety. Below, their goals are broken down.
Workforce, Economic Development and Tourism
The Chamber supports continued and enhanced state investment in tourism marketing to strengthen Georgia’s position as a leading global destination, driving economic growth, job creation, and tax revenue statewide. Additional priorities include expanding workforce development programs such as apprenticeships, dual enrollment, and college and career academies; supporting the Savannah Convention Center’s capital improvement plan; and modifying regulations to allow Sunday alcohol sales by museums in historic districts.
The Chamber also backs expansion of the Commercial Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credit to incentivize restoration of historic properties, creation of a statewide interagency council on homelessness, revisions to the childcare tax credit to increase access to high-quality childcare, legislation protecting the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act to keep Georgia ports competitive, and aligning municipal tort liability limits with county limits to protect public funds.
Education
Education priorities for 2026 include supporting Savannah State University’s request for new student engagement and wellness facilities, expanding the Savannah Technical College aviation campus to meet workforce demand, and increasing state investment in the Georgia Research Alliance. This includes funding research talent and infrastructure at Georgia Southern University to create high-wage jobs and strengthen Southeast Georgia’s role in the state’s innovation economy. The Chamber also supports initiatives that improve access, quality, and availability of public education, including traditional public schools, charter schools, career pathways, early childhood education, and Pre-K programs.
Healthcare
Healthcare priorities for 2026 Coastal Georgia focus on implementing and funding a PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program in Coastal Georgia to support elderly and disabled residents. The Chamber also supports continued funding for medical residency slots at local hospitals and Governor Kemp’s request for funding for the Gateway Child and Adolescent Crisis Stabilization Unit in Savannah.
Transportation and Infrastructure
The Chamber supports funding and final design selection for improvements to the I-95 Airport Interchange (Exit 104) as approved through SPLOST 8, legislative solutions to implement next-generation 911 services statewide, and continued investment in Georgia’s airport infrastructure. Additional priorities include sustained funding for the Port of Savannah and improvements to local freight and commuter transportation networks.
Military Support
Military priorities include policies that strengthen the workforce by supporting defense personnel, veterans, and military retirees, as well as initiatives that ensure the security and stability of current and future defense operations and installations throughout the region.
Public Safety
Public safety priorities include adding a fourth judge to the State Court of Chatham County to reduce caseloads and improve access to justice, as well as supporting Governor Kemp’s one-time homelessness support grant to expand services and strengthen the statewide response system.
Wednesday evening, will have live updates from the Capitol in Atlanta with Tina Tyus Shaw and Ben Senger. You can keep up throughout the day on what priorities are passed at .com.