Georgia at the Center of Innovation

A Georgia senate committee has named Savannah and Augusta as locations for new logistics technology innovation and information technology corridors.

The cities were chosen following a committee report that identified incentives for technology growth, and the best locations to establish these innovation corridors.

In December 2017, the Senate Information Technology Corridors Study Committee released a report recommending that a program be developed in Savannah to focus on "logistics technology innovation" to further develop the area’s growing ports-related economy.

Other states have used technology corridors to provide funds and incentives to improve marketing of areas naturally leading their sectors, and to focus funding on corridor-related infrastructure, as well as educational and workforce development initiatives.

Savannah’s new Logistics Innovation Corridor will be established near the port facilities. The city and surrounding area could "immediately benefit substantially" from a program with a focus on logistics technology innovation, according to the committee’s recommendations.

In the Augusta area, the Georgia Cyber Innovation and Training Center, currently under construction, will house a state-owned cyber range and training facility, and provide cybersecurity awareness, training, and education to state agency information security officers.

The committee also recommended the state legislature become more involved and aware of the "constantly changing information technology industry." They suggested an advisory committee be formed to create future grant programs, find ways to better coordinate with industry leaders, and identify opportunities and areas that could benefit.