The Georgia Welcome Center along Southbound I-95 in Port Wentworth is now open for all travelers.

Today marks a proud milestone for Georgia's tourism industry through Georgia Department of Transportation's ribbon cutting of the new $10.2 million facility.

The state of the art rest stop and information haven is over 22,000 square feet.

The completion of the new facility was made possible through a public and private partnership designed to engage tourists young and old.

WTOC's Marla Rooker spoke to state and local officials on the unique features the welcome center provides.

GDOT Commissioner Russell McMurry said, "as you approach it from the Interstate you can see a lot of the enhancements outside, picnic shelters and benches, dog walks, a lot of sidewalks so you can get out and stretch your legs."

Visit Savannah President Joseph Marinelli spoke on the creative presentation inside the new Georgia Welcome Center by saying, "the goal with the trolley and the Forrest Gump was to have a low tech way of people connecting with Savannah and Tybee Island."

Those with Georgia Department of Transportation and Visit Savannah believe the new Welcome Center will charm and attract countless people to Coastal Georgia.

For more from the ribbon cutting, click here to follow GDOT on Facebook.

Copyright 2017 WTOC. All rights reserved.

W​ATCH FULL STORY HERE: http://www.wtoc.com/story/34724770/gdot-celebrates-opening-of-georgia-welcome-center-on-sb-i-95-in-port-wentworth