Sales revenue and employment at Georgia logistics companies are up this year, welcome news for what economic development officials say is a key industry for the state.
Revenue at Georgia's more than 10,000 logistics providers -- companies that move freight -- is up 16 percent in 2010 from 2009 to $16 billion annually. Employment increased 21 percent and stands at more than 142,000. The figures are contained in the 2010 Georgia Logistics Report to be released Monday.
The state held a logistics summit last week intended to help companies in the industry grow. About 800 people attended, 80 percent from the private sector.
Officials have targeted the low-profile industry for growth because it can use existing transportation assets including Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the Port of Savannah, railroads and state highways to move freight.
"We have some significant natural assets that we are using to attract and grow logistics-related jobs here," said Page Siplon, director of the Center of Innovation for Logistics. "Logistics may seem low-profile, but it is a critical component to almost every business."
The Commission for a New Georgia tabbed logistics as a strategic growth industry. Its Statewide Freight and Logistics Plan, to be completed next year, will examine what the industry needs for long-term growth.
Officials call Georgia the logistics hub of the Southeast and say it's the fourth-largest logistics center in the nation and has the fifth-most logistics workers.
"New and expanding companies tell us that our logistics system, which can get their products to market anywhere, anytime, was a prime catalyst in their decisions to choose Georgia," Gov. Sonny Perdue said.
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