Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025
Good morning! Here we are in September. Your regular Coast Watch guide is taking a holiday, so your Sunday host is here with quick updates including the Camden County spaceport and water advisories, plus some good news for neighborhoods working on resiliency in the face of storms.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at Susan.Catron@thecurrentga.org
NEWS: COURTS
Camden has to pay spaceport land contract
A federal appeals court ordered Camden County Friday to pay Union Carbide Corp. the remaining money for the land on which the county commissioners had wanted to build a now-defunct spaceport project. The ruling is the latest setback for the county, which has spent over $12 million in legal fees fighting its citizens who opposed the spaceport as a waste of taxpayer money and stopped it via a citizens’ referendum. Read about the ruling, from The Current‘s Margaret Coker.
EXPLAINER: ENVIRONMENT
All water advisories aren’t the same
The close timing of boil water advisories recently in Savannah and Richmond Hill, plus the speculation around water needs for the north Bryan Hyundai plant, has fueled all sorts of random social media chatter. We don’t play that: The Current‘s Mary Landers sorts out the facts in a quick look at why the events of note are only connected by timing.
NEWS: BUSINESS
When layoffs hit home
Last week when International Paper announced it would shut down Coastal Georgia facilities and layoff around 1,100 workers, reporter Robin Kemp asked U.S. Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter about the move that hit constituents across the entire First District. We received his reply Tuesday as the House of Representatives returned to work. It was too late for the story, but we wanted to share his response now as the congressman is both a former employee at the mill and running on a pro-business record as a candidate for U.S. Senate. Here’s an excerpt from his reply to Kemp’s inquiry.
“I know this news has been difficult for many families across our community. International Paper has been a cornerstone of our community for decades, and its closure leaves a void not only in our economy but in the lives of those who worked there and their loved ones.
“My dad worked at that plant for almost 35 years. It provided milk and bread for our family. I worked there for two summers and I credit that plant with giving me my professional start in life. It is sad to see this Savannah staple close its doors. This is a loss for our community, and we will work to find new opportunities for those impacted.”
He added that he was confident that the region would continue to thrive and reiterated his faith in the future.
NOTES & NEWS
- This just in from Georgia Tech’s CEAR Hub and Harambee House: 19 Savannah neighborhoods have received grants ranging from $4,000 to $20,000 for community improvement grants to strengthen resilience to extreme weather and environmental threats. The total investment in people power adds up to $200,920.
- What will help college students work through stress of classes? It’s easier than we thought. Green space.
- And while we’re talking water, we need to consider it when we’re using AI to make that cute video of our dog hitting a baseline winner at the US Open. All that artificial fun takes real water.
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Richmond Hill, Savannah water advisories aren’t connected
By Mary Landers
Savannah and Richmond Hill recently issued separate boil water alerts due to different water infrastructure issues, with Savannah’s related to a malfunction at its surface water treatment plant and Richmond Hill’s related to a communication loss with its automated system.
Camden County’s appeal fails, must settle $2.6 million debt for spaceport site
By Margaret Coker
Camden County has been told by a federal appeals court to pay the outstanding money owed to Union Carbide Corp for the land where county commissioners wanted to build a now-defunct spaceport, ending the county’s efforts to recoup its costs from the failed project.
Georgia election board faces scrutiny as lawmakers aim to mend divisions
By Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
The House study committee held a meeting to examine Georgia’s election procedures and repair the relationship between the State Election Board and the Secretary of State’s office, while board members presented competing visions for the best way forward.
Judge says Jones can use lieutenant governor’s fund to raise unlimited donations in governor’s race
By Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder
A federal judge has dismissed a Republican candidate’s lawsuit challenging his opponent’s use of leadership committees to gain a fundraising advantage, but the ruling may not be the last word on the dispute.
International Paper’s departure creates water challenges, opportunities
By Mary Landers
The closure of International Paper’s Savannah and Liberty plants will reduce pressure on the Floridan aquifer, but could increase water costs for remaining customers in Savannah.
Public vs. private: Two marinas offer lessons in waterfront management
By Jabari Gibbs
Coffee Bluff Marina in Savannah is a successful example of a public marina that is open to all, while St. Simons Boat and Fishing Club in Glynn County, Georgia, is criticized for catering to its members and not the public at large.
International Paper ignored local incentives to stay in Georgia
By Robin Kemp
Liberty County officials had seen warning signs for months, but Savannah economic development leaders were caught off guard.
Data centers consume massive amounts of water – companies rarely tell the public exactly how much
By Peyton McCauley/University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Melissa Scanlan/University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Data centers use large amounts of water to cool their servers and routers, and the amount of water used is expected to double or quadruple by 2028, posing a potential threat to local water supplies.
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