Small businesses in Savannah show signs of growth but face tough challenges

Savannah’s economy is booming, mostly thanks to big players like the port and Hyundai’s new electric vehicle plant. But small businesses aren’t seeing the same rise. While mid-sized and large companies are growing fast, tiny businesses with under 20 workers are barely keeping up. Most of the small business growth comes from companies shrinking just enough to fit into that category—meaning there aren’t many fresh startups filling the gap.Black-owned businesses in Savannah are doing better than the national average, making up 7% of local employers compared to just 3% nationwide. Yet, many struggle to stay open or expand. There’s no shortage of new businesses popping up, but keeping them alive and growing is the real hurdle. The Greater Savannah Black Chamber is trying to help by teaming up with local groups and offering mentorship programs to pass businesses down to new owners. Tourism could be a big chance for Black entrepreneurs, but many aren’t tapping into it yet. Events like the upcoming Black Business Expo aim to change that by giving local businesses more visibility and connections.