Southwell Hospitals Added $1.45 Billion to Georgia Economy
The health system’s operations supported over 7,000 jobs across the state in 2024.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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Southwell hospitals generated a total economic impact of $1.45 billion in 2024. The figures, released by the Georgia Hospital Association, underscore the significant footprint of Tift Regional Medical Center and Southwell Medical on the state's labor and household earnings.
Why it matters
The data highlights the vital role of regional health systems as major economic anchors. For local operators, these figures illustrate how hospital payrolls and procurement cycles directly drive household income and employment levels within Tift and Cook counties.
Southwell hospitals generated $1.45 billion in economic impact, supporting 7,154 total jobs across Georgia. This activity resulted in $506,282,707 in statewide household earnings.
The players
Southwell
A health system operating Tift Regional Medical Center and Southwell Medical in rural Georgia.
Georgia Hospital Association
An industry trade organization representing hospitals and health systems across the state.
The details
The findings were calculated using independent third-party modeling based on 2024 operational data. Tift Regional Medical Center accounted for $1,086,090,183 of the total impact, while Southwell Medical contributed $380,790,998. Together, the hospitals employ 2,714 full- and part-time workers, with a total of 5,806 jobs supported within Tift and Cook counties.
Timeline
2024 was the data period used for the economic impact modeling.
Market Landscape
This data update follows the Georgia Hospital Association's ongoing effort to quantify the role of healthcare providers in local economies. It mirrors broader trends where regional health networks serve as primary drivers of rural employment and aggregate household wealth.
Operators in Tift and Cook counties should track the employment and procurement shifts associated with these hospital systems to forecast local demand. These figures provide a baseline for understanding the multiplier effect of large-scale medical infrastructure on local commerce.
The takeaway
Healthcare systems serve as massive economic engines that extend far beyond clinical care. Business owners should monitor regional hospital capital projects and payroll growth as leading indicators for stability in the local consumer economy.
Further reading
For more on the metrics influencing the state, explore Economic Indicators.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Valdosta Daily Times.
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