PORT WENTWORTH, GA - February 6, 2024

Last week Georgia’s governor, Brian Kemp, signed a bill increasing Port Wentworth’s hotel motel tax by 2% from 6% to 8%. This was the first bill of the 2024 session to make final passage and be sent to the Governor’s office. The signing at the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta was welcomed by delegates to Savannah-Chatham Day from the City of Port Wentworth including members of the City Council, the City Manager and other city employees.

Senate Bill 299 was introduced to allow the City of Port Wentworth to collect a city tax on motel rooms and other types of short-term lodging including short term rentals, campsites, as well as hotels and motels.  Port Wentworth now joins more than 90 cities and counties in Georgia, including Savannah, Atlanta, Vidalia, Dahlonega, Dublin and Macon-Bibb County, that have an 8% hotel-motel tax. This increase of 2% is projected to generate approximately $0.5 million in additional revenue for the City of Port Wentworth.

The additional revenue will be invested in improving infrastructure to serve those who live, work, and play in Port Wentworth. Next year, the city plans to open a 150-acre Recreation Park, which will contain the Savannah Ghost Pirates Facility, a major amphitheater, soccer fields, pickleball courts, baseball, and softball fields, walking trails, recreation gym, tennis courts, splashpad, dog park, fishing pond and more. With the increase in funding, the City’s priority is visioning the Highway 21 Corridor at I-95/21, with a streetscape plan to enhance the “front porch” of the Coastal Empire and Savannah, as Port Wentworth continues to see incredible investments as visitors, residents and businesses choose Port Wentworth in which to live, experience and thrive.

“We are very pleased that Governor Kemp quickly reviewed this legislation and signed it into law after just a couple of days,” said Steve Davis, City Manager. “Port Wentworth is becoming an increasingly popular destination for both business and leisure travelers and the increase in our hotel motel tax means that our 8% rate aligns with most regions in Georgia. We are pleased to be able to invest this additional revenue into enhancing the visitor experience as well as improving the quality of life for all residents.”

For more information, please visit www.portwentworthga.gov and follow on social media.