Home Depot, IKEA, Target and Wal-Mart all have distribution centres of more than 1m square feet (100, 000 square metres) in the Savannah area to handle cargo coming through the port, which sits at a nexus of interstate highways and railway lines that provide quick access to the south-east and Midwest.

ECONOMIST: Savannah's port

The key, say most players, is to come up with a moderate plan that takes the tax structure and simplifies it to the point that remote sellers can comply with interstate tax requirements while fulfilling the bottom lines of state and local governments.

CNN: The Internet tax revolt

While he has purchased some long-distance lines, he is generally avoiding the glutted interstate market in favor of local connections.

FORBES: Switch Hitter