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IN THIS
ISSUE
Augusta
Metro
Chamber of
Commerce 2001
Legislative
Agenda......3
Economic
Indicators...6
Augusta
Metro
Chamber Touts
Year 2001
Achievements....8
Ribbon
Cuttings....11
OTHER
SECTIONS
LOCATION
REGIONAL ECONOMY
CORPORATE COMMUNITY
WORKFORCE
EDUCATION
TAXES & INCENTIVES
TRANSPORTATION
UTILITIES
QUALITY OF LIFE
THE COUNTIES
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Augusta
Metro Chamber of Commerce 2001 Legislative
Agenda
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The
issues outlined below are some of those
that are particularly important to Augusta's
business community, which could come
before the General Assembly. The Chamber
will also support or oppose other issues
that may come up during the year, both
of local and statewide importance.
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Environment
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Augusta
State University
Georgia's system of higher education plays a
major role in economic development. ASU provides
East Central Georgia with educational opportunities
found nowhere else in our part of Georgia. In
order to continue to meet regional demands,
ASU must continue to grow. Funding of the "Phase
2" classroom building and restructuring of the
funding formula to better meet the needs of
ASU's largely part-time student body will improve
the university's ability to serve the community.
The Chamber SUPPORTS the continued growth of
Augusta State University.
Medical College of Georgia
The Medical College is a vehicle for future
growth in the Augusta area. Through increases
in research and its spin-off activities, Augusta
could be come a regional center for biotech
activities. The Augusta Metro Chamber supports
increased funding of research infrastructure
and faculty that has the potential to become
the cornerstone of Augusta's new economy. In
addition to its role as an economic engine for
Augusta, MCG serves the state's needs for top
quality medical training. A new building for
the Schools of Allied Health and Nursing is
needed to continue to provide the level of training
that today's medical field demands. The AMCC
SUPPORTS the Medical College of Georgia in its
many roles in our state and local area.
Savannah
River Parkway
Easy access to the port of Savannah would greatly
enhance Augusta's attractiveness to many types
of business. The Savannah River Parkway would
provide safe, quick access to not only Savannah's
port but to Brunswick and other terminals along
I-95. The Chamber of Commerce SUPPORTS appropriating
funds to complete this project as quickly as
possible. The finished parkway will not only
increase interest among new business prospects,
but also improve the ability of existing industry
to prosper and expand.
Fall Line Freeway
Augusta lacks convenient, safe access to the
important I-75 corridor as well as the important
Macon and Columbus markets. This Fall Line Freeway
project would open Augusta up to new opportunities.
The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce SUPPORTS
this project and believes it should be a top
priority for the Georgia Department of Transportation.
Statewide Rail
As Georgia begins to develop a statewide rail
system it is important that Georgia's second
largest city not be forgotten. Augusta lies
on a natural route to the popular South Carolina
coast and potential connections to the entire
eastern seaboard. Should studies show that statewide
rail is feasible the AMCC SUPPORTS the inclusion
of an Augusta route as soon as possible
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Water
Resources
The Chamber SUPPORTS the development of a statewide
water plan that encourages continued economic
growth while protecting long-term sustainability.
Any plan should allow for the greatly differing
needs of the various areas of the state. Additional
watershed- based planning with local development
should be encouraged.
Fall Line Air Quality Study (FAQS)
The product of the Augusta Metro Chamber's Air
Quality Taskforce, this study seeks to find
the causes and possible solutions to the air
quality issues in Augusta, Macon and Columbus.
The first year of the study has made great strides
in determining the needs of each area. Additional
funding to continue the study of Augusta's air
quality is needed. The Augusta Metro Chamber
SUPPORTS the funding of this important study.
Incentives
Metro Augusta, like many areas outside Atlanta,
is struggling for economic growth. Other regional
states' incentive packages lure away much-needed
jobs. Competitive incentive packages need
to be developed for Georgia. The Chamber will
propose the "Georgia Rural Job Development
Act" to make real changes to Georgia's economic
development incentives. The Augusta Metro
Chamber SUPPORTS incentives as a way to level
the playing field in economic development.
Community
Development Funds
Many areas of our state have benefited from
public-private efforts to revitalize their
cities. The first $10 million of an anticipated
$30 million in state funds was appropriated
in FY01 for this purpose. These funds were
passed to the Augusta Neighborhood Improvement
Corporation. ANIC provides Augusta with the
opportunity to bring struggling parts of our
community back to life as well as to revitalize
downtown and promote new economic opportunities.
The AMCC SUPPORTS continued funding of this
important effort.
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Augusta
Technical College
Augusta Tech is an important part of the local
education infrastructure. The training provided
by AT creates an attractive workforce for new
and existing business. The continued growth
of the current campus plus expansions in Columbia
County and at Augusta Regional Airport will
increase the impact of Augusta Tech. Columbia
County is the area's fastest growing county
and will soon be the site of a new industrial
park. Workforce training provided by a satellite
campus will enhance the appeal of Columbia County
to industry. The specialized training offered
by an airframe and powerplant school will bring
new opportunities to Augusta and much needed
activity to Augusta Regional Airport. The Augusta
Metro Chamber SUPPORTS the expansion of this
important community asset. |
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