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: La Playa Park
La Playa Park transformed previously vacant and underutilized properties along Norwich Street into an inviting destination for businesses, residents, and visitors in Downtown Brunswick. Owned and operated by Joe Cascio and Meredith Grill, the project brought new life to an important commercial corridor and supported continued revitalization throughout the downtown district.
Problem:
The properties required exterior improvements—including new signage, lighting, landscaping, and other visual enhancements—to create a more welcoming environment and strengthen their visibility and competitiveness.
Solution:
GIDA awarded The Park a $10,000 Share the Future Fund Grant to support improvements to the buildings and surrounding property. The investment helped enhance the overall appearance of the site and complemented the owners’ broader revitalization efforts.
Results:
The improvements increased the attractiveness and marketability of the properties, creating a stronger setting for current and future businesses. By turning formerly overlooked spaces into a more vibrant destination, La Playa Park contributed to the continued growth and revitalization of Downtown Brunswick.
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
The GIDA proudly champions our local and small business community, recognizing that when entrepreneurs and Main Street businesses succeed, the entire region benefits. Nationally, for every dollar spent at a small business, approximately 67 cents stays within the local community—fueling jobs, reinvestment, and long-term economic growth. That’s why GIDA is committed to shopping local and prioritizing local vendors whenever possible. It’s a meaningful way to help build a stronger, more resilient Golden Isles.
Our Spending
GIDA invested $95,000 directly into the local economy through it’s Share the Future Initiative. In total at least 70% of GIDA’s controllable spending was directed to local businesses – including engineering services for clients, print materials, and everyday office supplies. GIDA doesn’t just support local – it spends local.
Funding Sources
Funding Uses
Economic Momentum
Business growth fuels economic prosperity in Glynn County.
Business attraction, expansion and investment contribute to the overall strength and vitality of Glynn County’s economy. GIDA monitors key economic indicators to better understand the community’s growth and competitiveness, including employment, wages, cost of living and Gross Domestic Product. The latest data reflect continued economic momentum, with growing employment, rising wages and strong economic output across Glynn County.
Employment Growth
As of Q1 2026, Glynn County supported 46,506 jobs, with total employment increasing 2.1% over the previous year.
Wage Growth
Values represent dollars (e.g., 56000 = $56,000)
Average annual wages in Glynn County reached $56,207 in Q1 2026, increasing 4.6% over the preceding four quarters.
Cost of Living Index
Glynn County’s cost of living is 11.4% lower than the national average, giving the county’s $56,207 average annual wage purchasing power equivalent to approximately $63,408 nationally.
Gross Domestic Product Growth
Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the total value of goods and services produced by a region. Glynn County’s economy produced approximately $5.81 billion in GDP in 2024, growing 8.4% in one year, following 6.9% growth in2023.
Aviation Support
Success Story: Wings of Grace Ministries
Wings of Grace Ministries, owned and operated by Damon Whitlow, provides a six-week introductory program designed to serve as a gateway into aviation maintenance careers. Through classroom instruction and hands-on experience, participants gain foundational knowledge of aircraft systems, maintenance procedures, safety protocols, and regulatory standards.
Problem:
The west-facing exterior of the Wings of Grace facility at the Golden Isles Airport had deteriorated metal and faded paint. Because the building is positioned prominently between two Gulfstream facilities, its condition affected the appearance of the surrounding airport campus.
Solution:
GIDA awarded Wings of Grace Ministries a $10,000 Share the Future Fund Grant to support metal repairs, repainting, and related exterior improvements at the facility. The grant contributed toward a total project investment of approximately $20,000.
Results:
The improvements will enhance the facility’s appearance, strengthen its alignment with neighboring aviation businesses, and create a more professional and welcoming environment for students, visitors, and the broader community.
“The Share the Future support enabled our organization to make several important improvements to our facility, including painting the building, repairing the roof, and restoring our sign.
These projects have enhanced the appearance, safety, and functionality of our location while increasing our visibility within the community. The improvements have created a more welcoming environment for the young people, families, volunteers, and community members we serve, allowing us to better fulfill our mission and make a lasting impact.”
Damon Whitlow, CFO at Wings of Grace Ministries