Manufacturing has helped build this great country and make us who we are today. However, the U.S. manufacturing industry is faced with a skills gap that will leave 2.4 million jobs empty by 2028—jobs for motivated and skilled creators. In our community, these industries and careers are essential to build a more resilient economy and to Keep Glynn Running

The industrial sector is a vital component of the local economy and the focus of the attraction and expansion efforts at the Golden Isles Development Authority (GIDA). In 2019, seven of the top ten ad valorem tax paying entities in Glynn County were industrial facilities. Furthermore, because manufacturing is a capital-intensive activity, industrial property generally represents more value to the tax digest than other uses.

Last year, industrial acreage accounted for 2.4% of the total property in Glynn County; however, the industrial sector accounted for 11.7% of the total digest value.

As of the fourth month of 2019, there were 1,855 people employed in manufacturing in Glynn county. Manufacturing in Glynn County also pays a 41% wage higher than the average of all industries in Glynn County. In 2019 the average annual salaries in Glynn were $63,908.

At GIDA, we are passionate about expanding the manufacturing and industrial sectors. Supporting these sectors is built into all of our areas of focus: Business Retention & Expansion, Product Development, Workforce, New Business Attraction & Marketing. Here are a few examples of the ways manufacturing fits into our strategy.

Business Retention & Expansion  We work directly with existing industries to strengthen relationships and ensure that they have the resource and support they need to expand their operations. This year we are reaching out more than ever to our smaller manufacturers. GIDA is creating new opportunities like a monthly “Maker Meetup” networking event to help connect boutique manufacturers to one another.

Workforce Informing our region about the opportunities in manufacturing and engineering education and careers. KeepGlynnRunning.com is an example of our K-12 efforts that were sponsored with the help of major firms operating in the community.

Product Development Improving and maintaining our sites and industrial parks to have various options to help attract and grow manufacturing facilities in the Golden Isles.

New Business Attraction & Marketing Strengthening relationships with site selectors, brokers, and allies to keep our community at the top of their minds for business relocations and expansions. While travel and meetings have been reduced due to the pandemic, our team has not stopped recruiting. We are successfully leveraging digital platforms and technology to reach the right audiences at the right time.

While GIDA focuses on expanding manufacturing at all times, this week kicks off National Manufacturing Day- an annual event designed to celebrate modern manufacturing and excite students about the opportunities in this industry. Across the country, events will be taking place to help show the reality of today’s manufacturing. At GIDA we will be using our Keep Glynn Running initiative to help share this message and focus on the local firms and people that make up our manufacturing and industrial sector.

We invite you to learn more about what modern manufacturing looks like in Glynn County and the opportunities to grow its impact. Contact us today to start the conversation.