Obama Visiting Savannah

President Obama will speak on jobs and the economy after touring Savannah Technical College during a short visit to Savannah today, the White House said Monday.  

The president will arrive shortly before noon and depart from Hunter Army Airfield before 4 p.m., making "a series of local stops" at undisclosed locations, the White House said in a news release. The visit is part of Mr. Obama's "White House to Main Street Tour," which is aimed at talking to local communities about efforts to rebuild the economy.

The release didn't say whether Obama, who recently announced a national initiative to double U.S. exports over the next five years, will visit the Port of Savannah, the fourth busiest container port in the nation. The president will "speak to students and workers, meet with Savannah residents and tour local businesses in the Savannah area," the release said. 

Robert Morris, spokesman for the Georgia Ports Authority, wouldn't say whether the ports have been preparing for a presidential visit. 

The Savannah port showed renewed export growth in December 2009 after 20 months of near-consistent declines. Ocean ports are seen as barometers of economic strength.

By Trevor Williams

As managing editor of Global Atlanta, Trevor has spent 15+ years reporting on Atlanta’s ties with the world. An avid traveler, he has undertaken trips to 30+ countries to uncover stories on the perils and promise of globalization. A lifelong Bulldog, Trevor earned degrees from the University of Georgia in Magazine Journalism and Religion, with a minor in Chinese. He is the father of three sons and editor of the book "Making Men: Five Steps to Growing Up."

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