Local Economy Impact
Your Progress, Our Purpose
GIDA works for the community. Here are a few initiatives and highlights from the past year:
Placemaking
Success Story: The Brick Martial Arts Academy
The Brick Martial Arts Academy relocated from St. Simons Island to Downtown Brunswick, bringing a dynamic mix of martial arts, gymnastics, and fitness programs to the community. Today, it serves as a local hub for youth and adult training, hosting classes, camps, and community events that promote discipline, confidence, and connection.
Problem:
While the interior flourished, the exterior required improvements to better reflect the company's brand and the coastal character of the community. The business needed enhanced signage, lighting, and a vibrant mural to increase visibility, safety, and appeal. Local artist Megan Torello, who previously painted a mural in the area, was selected to design a new piece celebrating community connection.
Solution:
GIDA supported enhancements that transformed the building's exterior, improving visibility, curb appeal, and the overall perception of the business. These upgrades made the facility more attractive, welcoming, and competitive in the market.
Results:
The revitalized exterior boosted The Brick's presence in the community, reinforcing its identity while contributing to the vibrancy of Downtown Brunswick. The project also highlighted the power of local partnerships in supporting small business success and creative placemaking.
Thanks to the Golden Isles Development Authority's investment in our community, we were able to breathe new life into the exterior of our academy by updating our coastal mural and adding branded signage to our fencing. Their support has helped us create a vibrant and welcoming space that reflects who we are and what we stand for—community, growth, and empowerment.
Joey Harrison, Owner
Embracing Accountability
The focus of GIDA's expansion efforts is to support and grow the local economy. It is vital to the success of everyone in Glynn County. GIDA is committed to investing in the future of Glynn County.
Keeping it Local
At the Golden Isles Development Authority, we proudly champion our local and small business community. We understand that when our entrepreneurs and Main Street businesses thrive, our entire region benefits. In fact, for every dollar spent at a small business in the U.S., approximately 67 cents stays in the local community — fueling jobs, reinvestment, and economic growth. That's why we're committed to shopping local and prioritizing local vendors whenever possible. It's one small way we can help build a stronger, more resilient Golden Isles.
Our Spending
$120,000 of our budget expenditures went to local businesses through our Share the Future Initiative. At least 68% of our controllable spending was with local businesses. Everything from engineering work for clients, print material, or office supplies – GIDA thinks, and spends, local first.
Funding Sources
Funding Uses
Total Wages & Household Income
Business growth fuels economic prosperity in Glynn County.
The attraction and expansion of businesses have a ripple effect on the overall economic well-being of a community. GIDA pays close attention to how Glynn County is trending in wages, employment, Gross Domestic Product, number of private establishments (establishments that produce a good or service), and our industrial sector's overall value. The charts below illustrate the growth for the most current years available.
Total Wages
Values represent millions of dollars (e.g., 461 = $461M)
Average annual wages per worker increased 2.7% in the region over the preceding four quarters.
Median Household Income
Values represent dollars (e.g., 56952 = $56,952)
The wage increase has had a positive impact on the median household income, which has increased by 20% between 2020 and 2023.
Private Establishments for All Industries
Glynn County's private business base has grown steadily over the past few years, increasing from 2,803 establishments in 2021 to 3,280 in 2024—a net gain of 477 businesses. While this year saw a slight dip from 3,320 to 3,280, the overall upward trend reflects a resilient and expanding local economy.
Gross Domestic Product Growth
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of goods and services produced by a region. In 2023, nominal GDP in Glynn County, Georgia, expanded by 9.5%. As of 2023, the total GDP in Glynn County, Georgia, was $5.78 billion.