World Trade Center Savannah (WTCSav) is pleased to announce the expansion of the Alternative Site Framework (ASF) service area of Foreign-Trade Zone 104 to include a large portion of Burke County. World Trade Center Savannah serves as the Grantee for Foreign-Trade Zone 104 and with the addition of Burke County the ASF region now includes 17 Georgia counties.
For more than 85 years, the U.S. Foreign-Trade Zone (FTZ) program has been instrumental in promoting international trade, economic development and job creation in the United States (U.S.). Authorized by the Foreign-Trade Zones Act of 1934, the FTZ program expedites and encourages foreign commerce by lowering the cost of U.S. based operations engaged in international trade.
Foreign-Trade Zones are a major economic engine in the U.S. There are nearly 300 FTZs spread throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Users of the program include both manufacturers and warehouse and distribution facilities. The FTZ program allows importers to defer, reduce or eliminate the Customs duty on their products admitted into the zone.
For U.S. based companies involved in international trade, the FTZ program provides a means for improving their competitive. Because participation in the program allows companies to increase cash flow, save on tax payments and increase their bottom-line, communities benefit through economic growth and development because of the jobs that are created or retained.
The FTZ program is a great tool for economic developers to market to existing industries as well as for use in recruiting new companies. For participating projects, the ASF service area allows WTCSav to deliver FTZ designation status directly to area companies within 30 days.
If you are interested in learning more, WTCSav will host an FTZ 101 webinar in early November for any companies or individuals interested in learning more about the program and its benefits. Information can be found here: For immediate assistance, please reach out to Leigh Ryan, lryan@wtcsavannah.org