Gov. Nathan Deal said Wednesday he will request an additional $35 million from the General Assembly to deepen the Savannah River and harbor.

Legislators have already approved spending $231 million in taxpayer money to deepen about 30 miles of the river so larger ships can reach the port. If approved, the $266 million would fulfill the state’s portion of the estimated $652 million needed to complete the massive dredging project.

Congress is on the hook for the remainder of the money.

Deal spoke during a roundtable discussion on the ports sponsored by the Georgia Chamber held at the Westin hotel in Buckhead.

About the Author

Keep Reading

The entrance to the Qcells solar panel factory in Cartersville, Ga., is shown on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Passengers wait at a Delta check-in counter at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. It was the first day the Federal Aviation Administration cut flight capacity at airports during the government shutdown. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com