1st Quarter 2006

Economic indicators in the Savannah and Coastal South Carolina areas leading into 2006 were very strong. New home construction kept up a fast pace as new regional and national homebuilders joined in. Accompanying the new roof tops were new retail and office construction mainly in western Chatham, and southern Beaufort and Jasper Counties.

Industrial expansion continues mainly due to the success of the Georgia Port Authority and the continued attraction of new industrial employers.

The Savannah Area has the lowest unemployment rate in the State of Georgia and the economic conditions responsible for that appear on the rise.