JENKINS COUNTY / CITY OF MILLEN LOCAL ECONOMY
The Local Economy
In today’s economy, the ability to transport people, goods, and services in an efficient manner is critical. An effective multimodal transportation network that connects areas of the counties to one another, areas of the region to one another, and the region to the rest of the world is a window of opportunity for Jenkins County.
The County lies strategically between Augusta and Savannah and is striving to benefit from the growth of both regional centers.
The county has access to I-20, I-16 and I-95 via U.S. 25. The Savannah River Parkway, a four-lane divided highway connecting Augusta to Savannah, will route through Jenkins County along U.S. Highway 25. Currently, the stretch of U.S. 25 linking Jenkins to Augusta is within 8 miles of being completed as a 4-lane highway and the stretch of the Parkway from from Jenkins to Savannah is already complete and open to traffic. This highway is known as the Savannah River Parkway. Millen, Georgia is the HUB of this Parkway and the 4-lane highway that continues from Millen on to Statesboro and to I-16.
In addition to surface transportation facilities, Bush Field Regional Airport in nearby Augusta, approximately 45 minutes and Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport, approximately 60 minutes, offer daily direct flights to Atlanta, Columbia, Charlotte, Houston, Dallas, Detroit, Cincinnati, New York, Newark, and Washington. Jenkins County has its own airport for smaller planes, a runway of 4000 ft. at the present with plans for further expansion.
Jenkins County also has convenient access to the international Port of Savannah, serviced by over 100 daily motor carriers and the capacity to handle thousands of containers. Other transportation related opportunities include rail service provided by Norfolk Southern Railway. Millen serves as the switching station for the Norfolk Southern Railway from Atlanta to Savannah, to Augusta, etc. With direct access to the ports of Savannah, hundreds of trains are routed through Millen and switched to many different destinations.
The educational system is an important resource in Jenkins County. The high school drop out rate is almost half the state average and significantly lower than neighboring counties. High school test scores surpass the state average. When combined with access to nearby technical colleges, Swainsboro Tech, Augusta Tech in Waynesboro, Ogeechee Tech and Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, these education strengths will allow the County to remain competitive in attracting new industry.
The Regional Connection
Given its proximity to two major metropolitan areas, Jenkins County must be viewed within the larger regional context. As Jenkins County lies within the Central Savannah River Area and near the Coastal Georgia Area, it is important to understand the economic forces driving these regions. During the past several decades the Augusta and Savannah areas have experienced a boom in population, housing and jobs. An excellent transportation system, affordable housing market and sustained corporate relocation will continue to fuel these regions’ growth through the early part of the 21st century. Jenkins County’s proximity to both of these rapidly growing areas and being the Hub of the Savannah River Parkway and the 4-lane highway to I-16, provide ample opportunities for Jenkins to share in the economic growth.
Timber companies, located throughout the Augusta and Savannah areas, make wood products ranging from paper to pulpwood to fine furniture and flooring. Textile firms across both regions manufacture apparel of all types. Firms in emerging technologies, such as telecommunications and environmental remediation, export throughout the nation and beyond.
As workforce development is an increasingly important key to economic development, the availability of nearby educational opportunities provides Millen and Jenkins County with a competitive advantage. Through neighboring counties, Millen and Jenkins residents currently have a wealth of opportunities, including over ten colleges and technical institutes.
