The CSRA Leadership Conference made its annual spring trip to Washington, D.C. in early May. For over ten years, this group of business, community and elected leaders from Georgia and South Carolina has come together to make sure that our senators, congressmen, federal departments and agencies are aware of issues of importance to our community. Specific areas of concern for this trip included the Savannah River Site, Fort Gordon, transportation, and environmental issues.

Almost fifty area leaders visited with government officials on Capitol Hill, including Senators Cleland and Miller, and representatives from Senators Thurmond and Hollings’ offices, and Congressmen Norwood, Graham and Spence, as well as Executive Branch representatives, including Lieutenant General Van Antwerp and the Army Vice Chief of Staff General Keane.

Conference members of the conference joined Washington Group, parent of Westinghouse Savannah River Company, and Duke Engineering for their annual dinner to produce increased understanding and camaraderie among the different areas of the CSRA.

The CSRA Leadership Conference also held a meeting with representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Department of Energy, and a representative from the Office of Planning and Budget who briefed the group on the President's proposed budget.

The CSRA Leadership Conference is a unique group both in its two-state makeup and the success it has developed both in DC and at home. With additional trips to Atlanta, Columbia, and DC planned for the future, the membership's aim is to make a difference to the community.

only be available to projects that locate outside the metro Atlanta area.

"Our proposal will help level the playing field in the competition for economic development projects," according Jim West, president of the Augusta Metro and Columbia County Chamber of Commerce. "In addition, the RGJDA will show the consulting trade that we are serious about competing for development projects," he says.