Business Climate in Brunswick and Glynn County, Georgia

Here are the top ten reasons why Brunswick and Glynn County is a great choice for new and expanding businesses.

1. Strategic Transportation Assets

distributionEverything a company needs to thrive can be found in Glynn County, including quick access to the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport, the Port of Brunswick, both Norfolk Southern and CSX railroads, and Interstate 95.

Glynn County is a prime destination for businesses that require access to container ports because access to the Port of Savannah or the Port of Jacksonville is only one hour or less in drive time.  This enables businesses to get the best price at either port.

2. Strong Workforce and Training Institutions

Steel FabricationWorkforce is often considered to be the top priority for business location decisions.  Brunswick and Glynn County boast a wide array of workforce development and training programs that are all within Glynn County.  All of the technical training programs that are available throughout the State of Georgia can be provided by local training institutions.  Learn more about Glynn County’s workforce development infrastructure or demographic and workforce data.

3. Aggressive Incentives for Targeted Industries

14GC039_No1BizClimate_Badge_finalGeorgia has a great reputation for a strong business climate.  The business incentives offered in Glynn County are no exception and can take your business to the next level.

Below you will see a few of our more popular local incentives.  Our target industries include aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and logistics.

Tax Abatements – New and expanding businesses can potentially be exempt from paying property taxes for a set period of time.  Tax abatements are based on industry type, total investment, and jobs created.  Several abatement schedules are available to best fit your project.

Share the Future Fund – Discretionary grant funds provided by Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority.  The funds are determined by the total number and quality of jobs created.

Revolving Loan Fund – Target industries are eligible for local revolving loan funds.  Many new and expanding companies use these funds to purchase new equipment or to negotiate a better rates on their main source of funding.

Let us know if you have questions or learn more about Glynn County’s incentives.

4. Existing Industry Support

Existing industry support is the primary focus of the Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority.

If you locate or expand your business in Glynn County, you can be assured that you will always be valued.  Too often, communities focus on the “next big thing” and forget or under appreciate the existing industries.  We recognize that the majority of job creation and investment will come from within and we stand ready to support our existing industries.

Location decisions must consider short-term value of an area from tax credits, grants, and tax abatements.  Unless you plan to move every few years, don’t forget to consider the long-term value a community provides to their existing industries.

4.1 Industrial Community

manufacturers roundtable discussionIndustry leaders from across Glynn County enjoy a great sense of community. Once per quarter the area’s industry leaders get together for the “Manufacturers Round Table.” The Manufacturers Round Table is an opportunity for industry leaders to network and discuss relevant issues without interference.

5. Six Industrial Parks

BM1Glynn County is home to six industrial parks.  In addition, Colonel’s Island and the Brunswick Golden Isles Airport have a significant amount of land available for additional development.

The Brunswick McBride Industrial Park is perhaps the most developed and well established industrial park in Glynn County.  The park is nearly completely filled and has the Golden Isles Career Academy and Coastal Pines Technical College located in the direct center of the industrial park.

Gateways Industrial Park is another one of our prime industrial parks.  Gateways Industrial Park is owned by the Development Authority and the entrance to the park is only half a mile to I 95.

6. Low Millage Rates and Cost of Doing Business

Tax abatements only last so long.  Glynn County is a strong choice for a business location because we recognize that high taxes restrict business growth.  Glynn County has a long tradition of keeping their local taxes at levels that are just enough to cover cost.
Millage Rates
Glynn County 22.4
City of Brunswick 35.6
A mill is what a taxing authority charges per $1,000 of assessed value of a property.  In Georgia assessed value is 40% of market value.

First, you find the assessed value: Market Value x 40% = Assessed Value.  Then you divide the assessed value by $1,000.  Finally, multiply that by your millage rate: (Assessed Value/$1,000) x Millage Rate.

Here’s the formula:  ((MV x .4)/1,000)MR.  Here’s an example for a property in Glynn County with a market value of $100,000.

Step 1. $100,000 x 40% = 40,000  Step 2. $40,000/$1,000 = 40  Step 3.  40 x 22.4 = $896

7. Industrial Heritage and Culture

LibertyBlimpIndustry has long been a part of Glynn County and is deeply embedded in the local culture.  Most notably are the contributions of Brunswick and Glynn County during World War II in the construction of the Liberty Ships that transported supplies to the Allies.  The photo to the left shows a Liberty Ship under construction with a blimp patrolling for enemy submarines.  

This is a community that embraces business and industry.  Furthermore, the local industries also embrace the community.  Many of the area’s existing industries regularly participate in community events and take proactive steps in our local school system.

Check out the video of some of the local industries showing High School students what modern manufacturing is really like.  

8. Pro-Business Leadership

Brunswick and Glynn County’s elected leadership recognizes the value of the industrial community.

Two or three times per year, elected officials and community leaders get together for an “Industry Appreciation Tour.”  The goal of the tours is to give the two groups the opportunity to interact so there’s a first-hand understanding of the value of Glynn County’s existing industries.  In addition to the tours, Glynn County has several major projects underway that will largely benefit existing industries, including ramp expansions at the airport, highway widening, and water/sewer improvements.

9. Foreign Trade Zones

The Brunswick and Glynn County Development Authority is one of only three Foreign Trade Zone Grantees in the entire State of Georgia.  Foreign Trade Zones are an absolute necessity for several of the area’s businesses.

A Foreign Trade Zone excludes a company from paying duties on imported goods that are used for production.  Duties are paid once the finished product reaches the final destination.  This process prevents companies from having to pay duties twice.  Foreign Trade Zones are also used at the Port of Brunswick to allow companies to delay paying duties until the products (automobiles) leave the Port.

10. Great Place to Live

jekyll3Every community claims to be “a great place to live.”  We want to be clear that first and foremost, Brunswick and Glynn County is a great place to do business.

However, Brunswick and Glynn County offer a great quality of life that few communities can match.

Every year the tourism industry brings more than $1 billion to the local economy.  A great quality of life makes it easy (and cost effective) to establish a business and attract a strong workforce.  Housing options are readily available for everyone – from entry level positions all the way to top level management.

The Glynn County School System and the Southeast Georgia Healthcare System also contribute to the great quality of life and business climate.

The Golden Isles Convention and Visitors Bureau has all the information you’d ever need on things to do in the area.