Atlanta Fly-In Promotes County
By Jill Helton Tribune & Georgian Publisher: Camden County representatives met with Gov. Nathan Deal and several other state leaders this week to promote the construction of a technical college in Camden County.
The campus is listed among the top projects on the state technical college’s priority list and the chamber delegation sought to explain why it is critical to enhancing economic development in Camden.
The presentation to the governor was led by Bert Guy, chairman of the Camden County Chamber, and focused on the number of jobs that will be turning over at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in the next three to five years. Those jobs will mean opportunities for local residents, but many will need additional technical training to compete for them.
The college may also be attractive to other industrial employers who may be considering the area as a place to do business.
“After we made the presentation, the governor came over and thanked me and said we did a good job delivering an effective message,” Guy said.
Guy said he told the governor about the donation of about $1 million in land for the campus and the success of Altamaha Technical College, which is considered a military-friendly institution that has one of the highest retention and graduation rates among others in the state.
The group also met with many other state officials and discussed other projects and initiatives of import, said Chamber president Christine Daniel.
“The trip was a huge success, in my opinion. It was amazing the quality of people that we saw and the governor gave us 15 minutes, which took a lot considering how busy his schedule is.”
Also on the itinerary were Sen. Tommie Williams, president pro tempore; Sen. Terry England, appropriations chair; Ron Jackson, commissioner of the Technical College System of Georgia; Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle; Secretary of State Brian Kemp; Rep. David Ralston, speaker of the House; Gary Black, commissioner of agriculture; Melvin Everson, Governor’s Office of Workforce Development; Sen. Jack Hill, appropriations chair; Rep. Tommy Smith, chairman of State Planning and Community Affairs; and Rep. John P. Yates, chairman of Defense and Veterans Affairs.
“We were well received by everyone,” Daniel said.
In addition to Daniel and Guy, representing Camden on the trip were David Keating (Camden County Joint Development Authority), Adam Kabasakalian
(Camden County), Keith Post and John Morrissey (St. Marys City Council), Darren Harper (City of Kingsland), Steve Parrot (Mayor, Woodbine City Council), Peggy Jolley and David Brown (Georgia Power) and Sheila McNeill (The Camden Partnership). State Sen. William Ligon and State Rep. Jason Spencer were also on hand for many of the presentations given by the chamber, Daniel said.
Lorette Hoover, president of Altamaha Technical College, also accompanied the group.
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