NEWS

The Georgia Southern University Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research recently released its Q1 2026 Economic Monitor, a quarterly publication that tracks the health of the Savannah metropolitan economy and provides a short-term outlook for regional economic conditions.

The latest report shows that while overall economic growth slowed considerably during the first quarter, visitor spending remained a bright spot. Hotel and motel tax collections increased 9% during the quarter and were 7% higher than the same period last year, while airport passenger volumes remained above year-ago levels. These results highlight the continued importance of the visitor economy to the Savannah area’s economic vitality.  

Beyond the visitor economy, several key sectors continued to show resilience. Port activity rebounded after a challenging end to 2025, unemployment remained near historic lows, and wages continued to outpace inflation. Recent revisions to employment data also revealed stronger-than-expected growth in manufacturing and logistics, underscoring the expanding role of those industries in the regional economy. 

Looking ahead, the Economic Monitor points to a more cautious business environment, citing higher energy costs, trade uncertainty, and softer consumer spending as potential headwinds for the remainder of 2026. Even so, the report notes that the Savannah area’s diverse economic base—including manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, government, and the visitor economy—continues to provide a strong foundation for long-term stability and growth.  

Source: Georgia Southern University Center for Business Analytics and Economic Research, Economic Monitor Newsletter, First Quarter 2026.