The 341 Alliance, a group of economic developers from eight counties along U.S. Highway 341 between Brunswick and Perry, recently commissioned an eight-county survey to identify businesses in the area currently involved in international trade.

The alliance has recently been looking at ways to take advantage of the corridor’s connection with the Port of Brunswick and Foreign Trade Zone No. 144.

Foreign Trade Zone No. 144 is located in Glynn County, and the 341 Alliance plans to assist the county in its efforts to revitalize the zone, which will provide a way for high-volume importers to defer customs tariffs.

The alliance also included exporters in the survey, using its examination of Foreign Trade Zone to gauge the international business climate of the area.

“In addition to possible FTZ affiliation opportunities, we wanted to use the survey…to gain a thorough understanding of the corridor’s international business community,” said Ryan Waldrep, president of the Telfair County Chamber of Commerce and Development Authority.

Survey results are now being tallied and the 341 Alliance has formalized its agreement to support the Glynn County FTZ by signing a memorandum of understanding with county officials.

The eight counties surveyed include Appling, Dodge, Glynn, Houston, Jefferson Davis, Pulaski, Telfair and Wayne.