Mayor Pro Tem Aaron C. Henry

Help shape Pooler’s FY2026 Budget!

Pooler’s proposed FY2026 budget will be released for public review on Friday, October 24, 2025 following the Budget Workshop on October 20. You will be able to read it on pooler-ga.gov or review a print copy at City Hall, 100 US Highway 80 SW, during normal business hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday–Friday.

We want your input. Share comments by email, in writing to the Finance Department, or speak at either public hearing:

Mon, November 3, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
First reading will follow the hearing.

Mon, November 17, 2025 at 6:00 p.m.
Second reading and final adoption will follow.

Both hearings will be held at Pooler City Hall.

Your feedback helps City Council set priorities for the year ahead. Join us, ask questions, and be part of the process.

https://www.pooler-ga.gov/news/public-hearing-fiscal-year-2026-budget-november-3-17-2025/

Public Hearing | Fiscal Year 2026 Budget – November 3 & 17, 2025 - City of Pooler Georgia The City of Pooler is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Budget for public inspection. Following the Budget

The forecast is looking better for our area. However, this is a rapidly changing forecast and things could change again. Sandbags will be available until this afternoon. Bring your own shovel and proof of residency.

As the City of Pooler continues to monitor potential impacts from Tropical Depression 9, sandbags will be distributed today, September 28, 10AM-1PM.

⚫Time: September 28th 10AM-1PM
⚫Location: 900 S Rogers St, Parking lot across from Fire Station 1
⚫Quantity: 10 Sandbags per household

Your own shovels and Proof of Residency are required.

Staff are continuing to proactively inspect all drainage systems.
View all Storm related updates for Pooler at
https://www.pooler-ga.gov/Hurricane
You can request to be added to the Pooler Notice release list at
https://www.pooler-ga.gov/NewsReleaseSignUp

Sandbags will be available for residents tomorrow morning at the Roger St Park parking lot. Details in the post below.

Due to potential impacts and heavy rainfall associated with Tropical Depression 9 the City of Pooler will also distribute sandbags tomorrow September 28th 10AM-1PM.
⚫Time: September 28th 10AM-1PM
⚫Location: 900 S Rogers St, Parking lot across from Fire Station 1
⚫Quantity: 10 Sandbags per household
Your own shovels and Proof of Residency are required.
Staff are continuing to proactively inspect all drainage systems.

View all Storm related updates for Pooler at
https://www.pooler-ga.gov/Hurricane

You can request to be added to the Pooler Notice release list at
https://www.pooler-ga.gov/NewsReleaseSignUp

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been indefinitely postponed.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been indefinitely postponed.

In an ongoing effort to share information for those who are job-seeking due to the International Paper mill shutdowns, there is a Job Fair at The Whitfield Center on Sunday 9/14 in Savannah. Details available in the flyer.
Thank you to Michael Ramsey for sharing this with me.

If anyone knows of job openings, job fairs, or other employment assistance, please feel free to share it with me.

This is excellent news for our community!

Memorial Health cleared to open new ERs, St. Joseph’s/Candler responds Memorial Health announced their plans to build two new free-standing emergency departments, one in Pooler and another in Richmond Hill

Thanks to Mayor Karen Williams for sharing this information on this job fair! A rising tide lifts all boats.

With the closing of International Paper and so many individuals out of work, I called my contact at Regional Industry Support Enterprise (RISE) to ask if they were planning on doing a job fair. We were thinking the same thing, and she just sent me the flyer for an eight county job fair!!!

This is a two day event where municipalities, to include Pooler, local businesses, Hyundai, etc. will be in attendance to showcase the opportunities with their organizations. This is not just for Int’l Paper employees, as this event is open to all job seekers. Any business wanting to participate needs to go to the link on the flyer to register.

Thank you, RISE, for putting together this event.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been indefinitely postponed.

In an ongoing effort to share information for those who are job-seeking due to the International Paper mill shutdowns, there is a Job Fair at The Whitfield Center on Sunday 9/14 in Savannah. Details available in the flyer.
Thank you to Michael Ramsey for sharing this with me.

If anyone knows of job openings, job fairs, or other employment assistance, please feel free to share it with me.

Hiring alert: Georgia Department of Corrections

I heard from a recruiter at the Georgia Department of Corrections. They want to help impacted International Paper employees transition into state careers and are setting aside a dedicated interview day.

Open roles:
-Correctional Officers
-Behavioral Health Counselors
-Maintenance Technicians

What to do now
If you are interested, comment or DM me and I will connect you directly to the recruiter.

You can also apply online at jobs.gdc.ga.gov.

Get your resume, work history, and references ready. Standard state hiring requirements apply.

Date and location for the interview day will be posted once finalized. Reminder: If you are an employer offering immediate openings, send them my way so we can keep stacking options for affected families.

As promised, I’ve been reaching out to employers and trying to find employment opportunities in the area. If you were impacted by the International Paper closures, these local union apprenticeship programs are strong pathways into skilled, well-paid work. You earn while you train. Many include classroom instruction, on-the-job hours, healthcare, and retirement benefits.

Pick one or two trades that fit your interests or if you have similar or past experience.

- Call and ask about application windows, orientation dates, starting pay, and benefits.
- Ask what to bring to apply (ID, resume, education).
- Veterans or experienced workers be sure to ask about advanced standing or credit for prior hours.

Local programs to contact:

IBEW Local 508 (Electricians)
1526 Dean Forest Rd, Savannah | 912-964-5080 | ibewlocal508.org
Install, maintain, and repair electrical systems to code, including lighting and controls.

UA Local 188 (Pipefitters/Plumbers)
2337 E Victory Dr, Savannah | 912-354-5520 | localunion188.com
Assemble, install, and repair piping, fittings, and fixtures for heating, water, and drainage.

Ironworkers Local 709 (Steel & metal work)
131 Westside Blvd, Pooler | 912-748-5118 | ironworkerslocal709.org
Erect structural steel, pre-engineered buildings, and storage tanks.

SMART Local 85 (Sheet Metal Workers)
Serves our area | 404-758-2689 | smart85.org
Fabricate and install ductwork and equipment. Cut, bend, weld, and finish sheet metal.

IUOE Local 474 (Operating Engineers)
127 Westside Blvd, Pooler | 912-330-9928 | iuoe474.org
Operate heavy equipment for earthmoving, concrete work, and site development.

UBC Local 256 (Carpenters)
40 Telfair Pl, Savannah | 912-318-9332 | southeasterncarpenters.org
Read blueprints, cut materials, and build structures with hand and power tools.

Insulators Local 96 (Piping & ductwork)
105 Sharon Ct, Pooler | 912-748-6282 | No website listed
Install insulation on pipes, ductwork, and mechanical systems for temperature control and efficiency.

If you’re an employer with openings, add them below so we can get the word out to people quickly. Please share this post with anyone you know who has been affected by the IP plant closure.

Stay tuned to my page for more employer opportunities!

Tonight’s storm was extraordinary. Until we have official rainfall totals confirmed by the National Weather Service and NOAA, the best estimates suggest this may qualify as a 500-year event for Pooler.

A “500-year storm” doesn’t mean it happens once every 500 years, it means there’s about a 0.2% chance of it happening in any given year. In plain terms: this was an extremely rare and intense storm.

Georgia Power crews are already responding to power outages across the city, and we still have high tide coming in about an hour. Please be cautious and avoid flooded roads, check on your neighbors, and give first responders and utility crews room to work.

We’ll share confirmed data as soon as it’s available.

In the meantime, if you have rainfall totals that you want to share and you have an accurate rain gauge, please state how much fell during the down burst and your approximate location in the city as a comment or message me directly.

This evening between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. the City of Pooler experienced a significant and fast-moving rain event with rainfall measuring 5.2 inches in one hour, with a peak rate of 7.2 inches.

Due to the intensity and volume of rainfall in such a short period, many streets and low-lying areas have experienced significant flooding. Please be advised that conditions may remain hazardous for several hours as water levels recede.