The local area was generally prosperous during the period prior to The War Between the States (1861-1865) with a variety of agricultural commodities being shipped around the world. After a slow recovery during the Reconstruction Period (1865-1877), the local economy began to come alive during the timber years.

The port reached peak activity levels just before the Great Depression (1929-1941) and never fully recovered until recently. During World War I and World War II several shipyards were operated in the port to support the war effort. The port was nearly closed after WWII until the Brunswick Port Authority, and later the Georgia Ports Authority built facilities in the harbor that are still in use today.

The Georgia Ports Authority is a state agency that owns three terminals at the Port of Brunswick: Colonel's Island Terminal, Mayor's Point Terminal, and Marine Port Terminal. The Authority is responsible for encouraging international trade opportunities for Georgia's deepwater ports and inland barge terminals. During the past twenty years, the Georgia Ports Authority has worked diligently to expand and modernize port facilities in Brunswick to import and export cargo throughout the world.

The Port of Brunswick has gained recognition as one of the most productive ports on the East Coast for handling automobiles, heavy equipment and machinery, wood pulp, liner board, paper products, wheat, corn, soybeans, animal feed, gypsum, limestone, and perlite.

With the completion of the new Sydney Lanier Bridge in early 2002 and the harbor deepening project, the Port of Brunswick will be able to accommodate even larger vessels. This will further enhance growth and prosperity for Glynn County and Georgia's statewide community.