Many of us don’t realize the economic powerhouse just a few hours south east of Atlanta.

The Georgia Ports Authority’s Port of Brunswick Colonel’s Island Terminal marked its highest ever auto and machinery unit volume in the last fiscal year, with a 40 percent increase in volume over the previous year, allowing the Georgia Port Authority to surpass pre-recession levels.

This port plays an important part in Georgia’s overall economy and has a direct impact on the Atlanta economy, jobs in the market and of course, Atlanta real estate.

A secured, fenced RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) facility, Colonel’s Island Terminal ranks not only among the nation’s largest auto facilities; it’s also one of the most environmentally clean operations in the country. The terminal serves more than a dozen automotive manufacturers, as well as a number of industrial and agricultural equipment manufacturers and is served by rail and nearby interstate access.

Georgia’s Port of Brunswick is the third busiest U.S. port for auto imports, behind Los Angeles, Calif., and Newark, N.J. Brunswick’s annual volume for auto and machinery units increased 50.6 percent in fiscal year 2011, compared to the U.S., which only increased 15.6 percent. Auto and machinery market share at the Port of Brunswick represents 8.5 percent of the U.S. total and 13.9 percent of the U.S. East Coast volume.

The Georgia Ports Authority’s Executive Director Curtis J. Foltz announced Colonel’s Island Terminal’s success and outlined plans for more growth and future prosperity of the Port of Brunswick.

Georgia Port Authority board chairman Alec L. Poitevint was quoted in the Savannah Morning News, saying, “Georgia’s deepwater ports are one of the brightest spots in the state’s economy right now. Brunswick has become the fifth largest U.S. auto port by having the best workforce, unsurpassed infrastructure, room to grow and a sound marketing plan to capitalize on its strengths.”