SkillsUSA Challenge: Learning by Doing
Last Thursday, I visited with students from around the region at the Bulloch County Agricultural Complex for the Skills USA Challenge. Hosted by the Associated General Contractors of Georgia, this competition brought students together to compete in a number of trade-related skill competitions like blueprint reading, carpentry, heavy machinery, masonry, plumbing, and welding.
I shared with many of the students the importance of a strong work ethic in any career field. I also told them that Georgia continues to invest in their success – investing half of our $32 billion annual budget in public education through our schools, technical colleges, and the university system.
Congratulations to Statesboro High School's Architecture & Construction students for winning first place overall in the competition! Thanks also to all the teachers, parents, and sponsors who made this event possible.
University System Roundtable
As I mentioned, the state takes seriously our investment in the future of our children through education. That’s why I was honored to visit with many of the presidents of our University System of Georgia institutions at Middle Georgia State University in Macon last Monday.
This roundtable was a unique opportunity to hear updates on the amazing work being done at our research and teaching institutions and hear of the tremendous return we receive on investments like our HOPE Scholarship program. More than 340,000 students are enrolled at one of the 26 institutions of higher learning in the system which grants some 73,000 degrees every year.
I appreciate the leadership of Chancellor Sonny Perdue and our University System of Georgia Board of Regents as they work shoulder-to-shoulder with institution presidents to keep our universities among the best in the nation.
Gulfstream: Soaring Higher
Last week, I was proud to join state and local officials in Savannah where Gulfstream announced the completion of their new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. This 142,000-square-foot expansion will be home to the production of the G400, G500 and G600 aircraft. Part of a comprehensive growth strategy, this facility is part of a more than $150 million investment and the creation of 1,600 jobs throughout our region.
Over the last 50 years, Gulfstream has created enormous economic opportunities throughout the Coastal Empire and made Savannah a leader in business aviation design, manufacturing, and maintenance. Thanks to Gulfstream and its parent company General Dynamics, the future looks bright as Savannah continues to capitalize on Georgia’s strategic advantages in transportation, manufacturing, and logistics.
Success stories like this one result from a team effort at both the local and state levels to keep Georgia the place that businesses and families want to call home.
Visiting at Home
While serving as Georgia’s 75th Speaker of the House is a tremendous honor – it keeps me on the road and in Atlanta more than I would like. That’s why this past week was such a treat to get to visit with friends and neighbors at the Sylvania Rotary Club and Effingham Farm Bureau last Thursday.
Representing the interests of Screven, Bulloch, and Effingham County in the Georgia House of Representatives is a responsibility I never take lightly, and I am always happy to be at home whenever possible. Thank you for the continuing honor of representing you and our values at the State Capitol.