What Development Authority of Bryan County does

The Development Authority of Bryan County (DABC) is a public governmental economic development authority established in 2005 by Bryan County, Georgia, operating under a nine-director board appointed by the Bryan County Board of Commissioners. The authority is staffed by a lean three-person team — CEO Ryan Purvis, Project Manager Zachary Dykes, and Operations Manager Myra Sims — and executes a coordinated site selection, business recruitment, expansion support, and workforce development mandate within a county strategically positioned 20 minutes from the Port of Savannah with direct access to I-95, I-16, and Class I rail. DABC maintains GRAD-certified industrial parks including Interstate Centre, Belfast Commerce Park, and Bryan Logistics Park, offering shovel-ready sites and Class A buildings ranging from 200,000 SF to over 1M SF. Its core services are organized around business location, expansion, startup support, and sector-specific industry attraction across automotive (anchored by Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and its 20-supplier cluster), manufacturing, logistics, defense, technology, and agriculture.

DABC operates as a non-profit economic development entity and does not charge businesses for site selection or expansion services. Revenue mechanics are government-funded through county appropriations and any property/lease income from owned industrial assets, rather than fee-for-service billing. The authority orchestrates a coalition of partners — Georgia Power, Georgia Ports Authority, Savannah Technical College, Georgia Quick Start, Fort Stewart, WorkSource Coastal, Bryan County Schools, the Bryan County Chamber, and the Savannah Harbor-I-16 Corridor Joint Development Authority — to deliver workforce training, talent pipelines (including 3,500+ transitioning soldiers annually), and incentive packaging. Go-to-motion is enterprise field sales: direct engagement with site selectors, corporate executives, and decision-makers through site visits and customized proposals, supplemented by industry conferences and a digital presence across website, email newsletter, and social channels.

The authority's track record over 20 years includes $12B+ in cumulative committed investment and 17,000+ committed jobs, with Hyundai's $12.6B Metaplant (the largest private investment in Georgia history) and Daniel Defense's headquarters relocation serving as anchor projects that have repositioned Bryan County as the fastest-growing county in Georgia and the 6th-fastest in the United States.

Name

Development Authority of Bryan County

Legal name

Development Authority of Bryan County

Website

https://bryancountyga.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Development Authority of Bryan County is a public governmental economic development authority established in 2005 that recruits industry to Bryan County, Georgia, by coordinating site selection, incentives, workforce development, and shovel-ready industrial parks near the Port of Savannah.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Services

NAICS

Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (9251), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (925120), Administration of Housing Programs, Urban Planning, and Community Development (925), Administration of Urban Planning and Community and Rural Development (92512)

SIC

Non-Operating Establishments (9995), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Planning, Zoning, Permitting & Code Enforcement (BPAIACAE), State/Provincial Transportation, Roads & Public Works Administration (BPAIABAK), Intergovernmental Affairs & Federal Grants Administration (BPAIAAAC)

Keywords

• Economic development services
• Business attraction programs
• Site selection assistance
• Workforce development coordination
• Industrial site management

Headquarters

HQ city

Ellabell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Economic Development Services: The Development Authority operates as a non-profit economic development organization. Their revenue comes from facilitating business recruitment, expansion projects, and managing industrial development in Bryan County, Georgia. They provide services including site selection assistance, incentive negotiation, workforce development coordination, and permitting support to attract and retain industries.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Development Authority of Bryan County is a public economic development organization that recruits industry and supports business location, expansion, and startup within Bryan County, Georgia. It provides site selection assistance, incentive negotiation, permitting facilitation, workforce development coordination, and post-establishment support, while maintaining an inventory of shovel-ready industrial sites and Class A industrial buildings in industrial parks such as Interstate Centre and Belfast Commerce Center. Services are organized around target industries including automotive, manufacturing, logistics, defense, technology, and agriculture.

Product overview

The Development Authority of Bryan County (DABC) offers a portfolio of economic development services organized around business attraction, retention, and expansion support. Its core services include Business Location Services for site selection, Business Expansion Support, Startup Business Resources, and Business Support Services. The DABC maintains an inventory of Industrial Sites and Buildings including Interstate Centre, Belfast Commerce Center, and Bryan Logistics Park. Industry-specific services cover Automotive, Manufacturing, Logistics, Defense, Technology, and Agriculture sectors. Workforce development is facilitated through partnerships with Georgia Quick Start and Savannah Technical College. The DABC also provides an Interactive Community Map tool and publishes a Bryan County Newsletter. Rather than a unified software platform, the DABC operates as a coordination entity connecting businesses with sites, workforce programs, incentives, and support services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business Location Services Comprehensive site selection assistance helping businesses find ideal locations within Bryan County, including access to industrial sites, shovel-ready properties, and strategic location analysis within the county's industrial parks and corridors.
• Business Expansion Support Personalized support for existing businesses including workforce development, strategic incentives, expansion site coordination, and connection to local, state, and federal programs to facilitate business growth.
• Startup Business Resources Resources and guidance for entrepreneurs launching new businesses, including business licensing assistance, zoning approval navigation, access to funding programs, and connection to local business support organizations.
• Business Support Services Comprehensive support services including business licensing and zoning assistance, financial assistance and loan programs, workforce development coordination, and connection to consulting services for business success.
• Industrial Sites and Buildings Inventory Shovel-ready industrial sites and Class A industrial buildings available for lease or purchase, including Interstate Centre, Belfast Commerce Center, Bryan Logistics Park, and other industrial properties in Bryan County, with available buildings from 200,000 SF to over 1 million SF.
• Workforce Development Programs Workforce training coordination including Georgia Quick Start programs, Savannah Technical College partnerships, military talent pipeline programs, and career and technical education alignment for Bryan County Schools.
• Automotive Industry Attraction Services Specialized services for automotive manufacturers and suppliers, leveraging proximity to Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America and supporting Tier 1 and Tier 2 automotive supply chain companies.
• Manufacturing Industry Services Support for manufacturing companies including access to industrial sites, workforce training, business incentives, and infrastructure tailored to advanced manufacturing operations.
• Logistics Industry Services Services for logistics companies including access to major interstates (I-95, I-16), port proximity to the Port of Savannah, Class I rail service (CSX and Norfolk Southern), and logistics facilities designed for distribution and supply chain operations.
• Defense Industry Services Support for defense contractors leveraging proximity to Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, connecting businesses with military-trained workforce and defense industry opportunities.
• Technology Industry Services Support for technology companies with emphasis on electric vehicle, aerospace, and defense technology sectors, leveraging strategic investments and proximity to major manufacturers.
• Agriculture Industry Services Support for agricultural producers and timber operations including access to transportation infrastructure, technical assistance, and sustainable land management resources.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500,000 electric vehicles produced annually at HMGMA
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• RISE (Regional Industry Support Enterprise)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRISE supports seven key workforce initiatives: military, underrepresented, housing, education, transportation, childcare, and marketing. The organization connects students, educators, and employers through real-world learning initiatives including externships, industry experiences, and workforce influencers.
• Georgia PowercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Power provides economic development support and energy infrastructure for industrial development in Bryan County. Title sponsor for Industry Day events.
• Georgia Ports AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Ports Authority operates the Port of Savannah and Port of Brunswick, providing global trade connectivity essential to Bryan County's logistics and manufacturing industries.
• Savannah Technical CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSavannah Technical College provides industry-driven education in engineering, logistics, and advanced manufacturing with custom workforce solutions and recruitment support for Bryan County employers.
• World Trade Center SavannahstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational trade and business development support for companies seeking global market connections through the Savannah region.
• Bryan County SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBryan County Schools provides Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs aligned with workforce needs. Programs include STEM-certified schools, SME PRIME manufacturing programs, and industry-connected career pathways.
• WorkSource CoastalcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCareer development programs connecting businesses with job-ready candidates through career centers, skills training, and job placement services.
• Georgia Quick StartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGeorgia Quick Start provides the nation's #1 workforce training program, offering tailored, no-cost training for qualified companies in manufacturing, logistics, and technology.
• Fort StewartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFort Stewart is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River, providing a steady pipeline of transitioning military personnel with technical skills in logistics, engineering, and operations.
• Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development AuthoritystrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partnership among Chatham, Effingham, Bulloch, and Bryan counties focused on economic development and workforce alignment along the I-16 corridor.
• Georgia Economic Developers Association (GEDA)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerStatewide professional organization for economic development professionals providing networking and best practice sharing.
• Bryan County Chamber of CommercecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides networking, small business resources, and promotional opportunities for businesses in Bryan County.
• UGA Small Business Development Center at Georgia Southern UniversitystrategicImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides free one-on-one business consulting, financial planning, and market research for startups and small businesses.
• City of Richmond HillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner supporting business development and workforce initiatives in the City of Richmond Hill.
• City of PembrokecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMunicipal government partner supporting business development in the City of Pembroke, Bryan County's county seat.
• Succeed in SavannahstrategicChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional workforce development initiative promoting Savannah area job opportunities and career pathways to attract talent to the region.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Georgia Quick Start: State-funded workforce training program that the DABC markets to its prospects as a #1-in-nation competitive advantage; an enabling/ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but a peer in the broader economic-development value chain.

Broad incumbents

• Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development: State-level peer competing with Georgia for major automotive/EV investments (e.g., Ford BlueOval City, VW expansion); comparable incentive frameworks and workforce training programs.
• North Carolina Department of Commerce (Economic Development): State-level economic development counterpart to Georgia's Department of Economic Development; a peer in competing for Southeast automotive and EV manufacturing investment (e.g., VinFast, Toyota battery).
• Georgia Department of Economic Development: State-level economic development agency that supports, funds, and coordinates with the DABC; the parent ecosystem responsible for Georgia's #1-for-Business ranking and Quick Start program referenced in DABC's value proposition.

Direct peers

• Savannah Economic Development Authority (SEDA): County-level economic development authority serving the Savannah MSA alongside the DABC; competes for the same industrial prospects, shares the Port of Savannah and Fort Stewart talent narrative, and co-markets the region via Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor JDA.
• Development Authority of Bulloch County: Adjacent Georgia county development authority within the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority; competes for industrial projects targeting the same Savannah port and I-16 logistics corridor.
• Effingham County Industrial Development Authority: Georgia county IDA operating within the Savannah MSA and a member of the Savannah Harbor-I-16 Corridor JDA; competes head-to-head with the DABC for industrial tenants seeking port and interstate access.
• Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority: Regional four-county JDA of which DABC is a member (Chatham, Effingham, Bulloch, Bryan); a coordinating and competing peer entity for industrial recruitment across the same logistics corridor.

Regional players

• Charleston Regional Development Alliance: Comparable Southeast port-adjacent economic development organization competing for automotive, logistics, and advanced manufacturing investment in the Carolinas; useful comparable for port-driven, supplier-cluster strategies.

Emerging players

• Greater Austin Economic Development Partnership (GAEDP) / Pflugerville EDC: County/regional economic development authority offering comparable site-selection, incentive negotiation, and workforce services to industrial tenants; useful peer benchmark for organizational structure and GTM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/developmentauthoritybryancounty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/development-authority-of-bryan-county
• Instagraminstagram.com/developmentauthoritybryanco/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Development Authority of Bryan County