Expanding Opportunity through Economic Development

Throughout the Coastal Empire, we continue to see historic economic development projects that are expanding opportunity for our residents.   

Last week I was proud to join a host of state and local officials, including Governor Brian Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp, at the ribbon cutting for Amazon’s Fulfillment Center in Pooler.  The 640,000 square foot facility will employ 1,000 people and marks Amazon’s 25th location in Georgia.   

This tremendous investment is just the latest in a long line of investments made possible by our strong freight and logistics infrastructure, anchored by our deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick. 

I also recently received another update on the progress of the new Hyundai Metaplant along I-16.  This $5 billion investment is expected to create more than 8,000 jobs as well as a network of suppliers. 

These successes don’t happen by accident.  They are the result of a true team effort.   

At the state level, Governor Kemp works diligently with our General Assembly so that we can adopt conservative, pro-job policies that keep companies, large and small, coming to Georgia.  Our state Department of Economic Development and the Georgia Ports Authority work with local partners like Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority and the Savannah Economic Development Authority to coordinate on transformational opportunities for our area. 

We will continue working together to keep Georgia the place that businesses and families want to call home. 

Working to Grow Our Conservative Majority 

As Speaker of the House, I’m honored to work on behalf of the entire House of Representatives.  Moreover, I owe a particular debt to the members of the Republican Majority Caucus who nominated me for my leadership post.   

Throughout the summer, I’ve been invited to travel to districts across the state to support our caucus members at fundraisers and other events as we work to maintain and grow our conservative majority.  Recently I visited with State Representative Matthew Gambill in Cartersville, Majority Leader Chuck Efstration in Buford and a host of other Republican members at events in Atlanta. 

One of the messages I drive home is that our conservative majority cares about the kitchen table issues families deal with everyday around the state.  We’ve led on critical issues like keeping our streets safe, ensuring our children have access to a good education and expanding the availability of quality healthcare throughout Georgia.   

I’m proud that we continue to focus on these core issues that keep Georgia a great place to live, to work and to raise a family.  

As we get further into the fall, I’ll spend more time on the road supporting our members because who leads this state matters.  We have worked so hard and come so far in the last two decades and we have no intention of 1turning back now.  

Supporting Rural Healthcare 

Last week I was honored to attend a special ceremony at the Mercer University School of Medicine in Macon commemorating the Nathan Deal Scholars Program.  This scholarship assists in recruiting new physicians to practice for at least four years in rural Georgia after graduating from medical school. 

Named in honor of former Governor Nathan Deal, this program furthers Mercer’s mission to expand healthcare access in rural and medically-underserved areas of our state.  It is a fitting tribute to a public servant who worked throughout his career to make the future brighter for Georgia and its residents. 

Renewing our State Capitol 

I always encourage Georgians to visit our State Capitol whenever they are in the Atlanta-area.  If you visit in the near future, however, you may notice a little more dust than usual.  Our Georgia Building Authority, which manages our state buildings, is undertaking a comprehensive refurbishment of the Capitol’s paint and plasterwork in public spaces.  

Over the last several decades, piecemeal facade repairs and paint patches have left our majestic Capitol showing its age.  Opened in 1889, the 134-year old building is both a national historic landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places.  It serves not only as the meeting place for the General Assembly but serves as day-to-day office space for the Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State and other state officials.  It also hosts a number of special events and ceremonies under the Gold Dome. 

Thanks to the skilled craftsmen working on the Capitol, it will soon once again reflect the grandeur of our state and its people.