New Northeast Georgia terminal strengthens manufacturing supply chains, adds shipping flexibility and supports local road improvements.
SAVANNAH, Ga., Oct. 29, 2026 — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp joined customers, Hall County officials and Georgia Ports Authority leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the $134 million Gainesville Inland Port, expanding rail connections between Northeast Georgia businesses and the Port of Savannah.
The new inland terminal provides manufacturers, importers and exporters with additional transportation options while helping reduce truck traffic on Georgia highways. Connected to Savannah through Norfolk Southern rail service, the facility serves businesses across North Georgia and the Carolinas.
“Georgia’s ports are a major reason companies choose to invest and create jobs here, and the Gainesville Inland Port brings that advantage directly to Northeast Georgia,” said Gov. Kemp. “Connecting this region to the Port of Savannah with new supply chain options makes it easier for Georgia businesses to reach customers around the world and helps ease congestion on our highways.”
Supporting Northeast Georgia Manufacturing and Logistics
The Gainesville Inland Port serves a growing manufacturing and logistics corridor with a consumer market of 2 million people and more than 300 manufacturers.
Since 2020, 78 new and expanding companies have generated more than 4,800 jobs and $2 billion in capital investment in Gainesville-Hall County. Manufacturing, processing and logistics collectively represent the area’s largest employment segment, accounting for 33 percent of its workforce.
“We view this as a high growth market where we can improve supply chain performance and make customers more competitive long-term. We’re bringing the Port of Savannah closer to Gainesville,” said Georgia Ports CEO Griff Lynch.
Customers can select rail transportation for affordability and heavier loads or truck-only service when faster transit is the priority. GPA expects the terminal to shift approximately 26,000 containers to rail during its first year, helping reduce emissions and truck traffic through Atlanta and across Georgia.
Current import cargo includes home and retail goods and manufacturing components. Exports include farm products, forest products and manufactured goods.
Norfolk Southern Rail Service Connects Businesses to Global Markets
With annual capacity for 200,000 containers, the Gainesville Inland Port connects customers to the Port of Savannah’s 40 weekly vessel calls. Convenient truck access to interstates 85 and 985 supports regional distribution.
The terminal also provides on-site storage and truck gate hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, giving businesses more flexibility to manage inventory and coordinate pickups.
Grounded container storage can help customers reduce chassis fees compared with storing containers on chassis at their own facilities.
Georgia Ports Chairman Alec Poitevint said the terminal represents another significant investment in the state’s logistics network, crediting Gov. Kemp, the General Assembly and the Georgia Department of Transportation for supporting statewide connectivity.
Georgia Ports President Kevin Price also recognized Gainesville and Hall County leaders for their collaboration and emphasized GPA’s work with customers and logistics providers to create additional business opportunities.
$4.8 Million in Road Improvements Benefits Hall County
Alongside the inland port investment, Georgia Ports funded $4.8 million in Hall County road projects to improve local traffic flow and safety.
The improvements eliminated an at-grade rail crossing, rerouted White Sulphur Road and resurfaced Cagle Road.
The new White Sulphur Road route south of the terminal maintains access for emergency vehicles and prevents traffic disruptions caused by trains. Resurfacing Cagle Road provides residents with an improved alternative route.
Georgia Ports Advances Long-Term Infrastructure Expansion
The Gainesville opening is part of Georgia Ports’ broader infrastructure investment program, which includes a nearly $5 billion, 10-year plan to add five container berths in Savannah and an additional roll-on/roll-off berth in Brunswick.
GPA recently announced plans to begin construction in 2028 on the $2.3 billion Savannah Container Terminal. The planned 350-acre facility will include an on-dock rail terminal and annual capacity of 3.5 million twenty-foot equivalent units, or TEUs.
Scheduled to open in the mid-2030s, the terminal will accommodate the largest container ships and bring the Port of Savannah’s total annual container capacity to approximately 12 million TEUs, supporting customers’ long-term growth.
About Georgia Ports Authority
Georgia Ports Authority operates the ports of Savannah and Brunswick, connecting businesses to global markets through extensive ocean, rail and highway networks. Savannah offers 40 weekly vessel calls, 42 double-stack trains per week and approximately 15,000 daily truck gate moves. Brunswick serves as a major gateway for automotive and machinery cargo.
Over the past decade, the GPA board has approved $4.13 billion in infrastructure improvements. GPA also supports port communities through a $6 million workforce housing initiative that has helped more than 230 Savannah-area families repair, purchase or build homes since September 2023.
For more information, visit gaports.com.
Media Contact:
Tom Boyd, Chief Communications Officer
tboyd@gaports.com
912-964-3884
