Savannah’s regional leaders, policymakers, and industry experts gathered at the Savannah Visitors Center for the “Powering Prosperity” event, spotlighting the electric vehicle (EV) industry’s growing impact on Georgia’s economy and workforce.
The discussion emphasized Georgia’s transformation into a national hub for EV manufacturing, battery production, and supply chain development. With more than $24.4 billion in private investment and over 26,400 jobs created, the state is rapidly solidifying its reputation as the “electric mobility capital of the world,” a vision championed by Governor Brian Kemp.
Speakers included Carter Infinger, Chairman of Bryan County Board of Commissioners; Ben Pauluhn, President of Optimus Energy Solutions; Joe Sikes, Communications Specialist at Canoochee EMC; Joshua Corning, Clean Energy Program Manager, City of Savannah; and Skye Golann, Policy Manager at the Electrification Coalition.
Chairman Infinger praised EV manufacturing for creating “good-paying jobs” across Bryan, Chatham, Bulloch, and Effingham counties. Corning underscored the public health benefits of electrification, noting EVs deliver “quieter streets, lower transportation costs, and a cleaner community.”
Pauluhn emphasized freedom of choice for EV drivers, while Sikes highlighted Hyundai’s major EV investment as a catalyst for Canoochee EMC’s rapid growth, ensuring rural communities also benefit from cost savings on fuel and maintenance.
The event, hosted by the Electrification Coalition, is part of the national Freedom to Drive summer series, showcasing how EVs are driving economic growth across the U.S.
