Savannah Cold Storage, LLC

PortFresh Logistics is the first cold storage facility in the area to support the Georgia Ports Authority and USDA Pilot Project, which increased the South American cold-treated produce available for import through the Port of Savannah. Historically, South American produce entered the U.S. through the Ports of Philadelphia and New York and was transported to the South via truck.

Thomas Financial Group procured this USDA B&I loan in the amount of $8,900,00 Million to Savannah Cold Storage, LLC d/b/a PortFresh Logistics. The loan proceeds will facilitate the construction of a 100,000 SF warehouse with cold/freezer storage, drayage, inspection, fumigation and repacking capabilities located in Effingham County, Georgia.

This Savannah facility has a 2 to 3 day transit time savings and an average $1,000 per truckload to service key markets. Retailers, Logistics Firms, Importers/Exporters, Shippers and Local Growers will be able to save millions of dollars per year as 70% of the nation’s population can be served within a two-day trucking radius of the PortFresh facility. The transportation time-savings also helps preserve freshness and extend shelf life of the produce for consumers.

The USDA B&I loan will enable the creation of 40 new jobs. The creation of these jobs is extremely beneficial as more than 50% of Effingham County residents commute to neighboring cities for work every day.