🌱 Report Shows Savannah Economy Cooling Off + Southside Park Reopens

Hello, Savannah! I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

But first, today's weather:

Periods of sun with a shower. High: 81 Low: 66.

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Here are the top three stories today in Savannah:

1. A new report from the regional economic monitor at Georgia Southern University indicates that Savannah's economy is slowing down. According to the report, in the first quarter of 2023, there was a seven percent decrease in permits for new home construction and also a decrease in port traffic. However, there was a five percent increase in hotel and vacation rental tax receipts. GSU economics professor Dr. Michael Toma predicts that the country will face a recession in the last half of the year, but the local impact could be mitigated by hiring at Hyundai and other logistics plants. (WTOC)
2. The City of Savannah has received a $1 million grant to remove hazardous materials from local properties. Senators John Ossoff and Raphael Warnock announced that the funds have been made available with a bipartisan infrastructure law. The properties that are slated for cleanup efforts are the Pennsylvania Avenue Assemblage property, the CSX Railroad site on Wheaton Street, and the Patel Property on West Bay Street. The funds will be used to assess the levels of contamination, develop plans to remove hazardous materials, and improve infrastructure to create job growth. (Fox 28)
3. In case you missed it, Joseph J. Tribble Park has reopened after being closed since November 2022. The park was closed for construction to repair a breach in the lake that led to water draining out and into a ditch. The repairs cost the city around $2.5 million and also included repaving a half-mile area of walking trail. There will be an event this Saturday to celebrate the park's re-opening from 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (WJCL)

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Today in Savannah:

• Dog Days Fest At Starland Yard (4:00 PM)
• Friday Night Drum Circle At The Beach Institute African American Cultural Center (6:00 PM)
• Good Vibes Only At The Culturist Union (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• As temperatures increase, cooling assistance is available to low-income residents through the Economic Opportunity Authority for Savannah-Chatham County Area, Inc. Appointments can be made by calling 912-721-7910 after 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, Jun. 4. For more information, click here. (Step Up Savannah via Facebook)
• The City of Savannah has announced upcoming summer camps for teens. On Jun. 5-9, there will be a Creative Writing and Performance Camp, and Teen Theater Camps are available in June and July. (City of Savannah Government via Facebook)
• The Mansion on Forsyth Park will soon be known as the Hotel Bardo Savannah. Set to open in February 2024, the Hotel Bardo will be an urban resort featuring Saint Bibiana, a coastal Italian restaurant and cooking school. (Visit Savannah via Instagram)

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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you back in your inbox tomorrow morning with your next update!

— Joyce Nash

About me: Joyce is a freelance writer and poet whose work has appeared in the Hello Gloria newsletter and Nine Cloud Journal. Her background ranges from journalism to fitness instruction and spans the east coast to the West. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her husband and two cats.