A joint commission charged with looking at ways to move freight across the state more efficiently will also be looking at ways to create jobs in Georgia.
The Georgia Commission on Freight & Logistics, established by House Resolution 37 during the 2019 legislative session, will hold its first meeting August 14 at the Georgia Department of Transportation Headquarters to begin their discussions. The commission, being chaired by Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville) and Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta), will issue a report to the Lt. Governor and Speaker of the House by December 31.
“Georgia has numerous competitive advantages when it comes to transportation and freight infrastructure, but we cannot afford to grow complacent,” said Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge). “This commission will work with industry stakeholders to find ways we can move freight more efficiently and create jobs in the process. I have full confidence that Chairman Tanner, Chairman Beach and the other commission members will focus their attention on this pressing economic development issue.”
Democrat and Republican lawmakers across the state agree that logistics and moving freight will be a key issue when they meet under the Gold Dome again in January 2020. Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan feels it is a priority to the state’s economic future.
“Georgia’s economic prosperity has led to huge business and population growth,” said Lt. Gov. Duncan. “However, in many areas of our state, that growth has led to highway congestion. This commission will be charged with studying how we can harness the logistics industry to provide transportation solutions to Georgia’s businesses and citizens.”
As created by legislation, the Commission includes three members of the Senate and three members of the House, six logistics professionals, four local government officials, and several leaders of organizations and state agencies.
Duncan appointed Senate Transportation Chairman Sen. Brandon Beach (R–Alpharetta), Sen. Steve Gooch (R–Dahlonega) and Sen. Burt Jones (R–Jackson) to the Commission.
Ralston appointed House Transportation Chairman Rep. Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville), Rep. Calvin Smyre (D-Columbus) and Rep. Dale Rutledge (R-McDonough) to the Commission.
Beach and Tanner will co-chair the Commission.
Logistics professional appointed include: Rebecca Brewster, President and COO of the American Transportation Research Institute; George Powers, President and CEO of TradePort Logistics LLC.; and Stephanie Smith, Vice President of Supply Chain Development for The Home Depot; Brad Skinner, member of the Board of Directors of OmniTRAX; Rick Toole, Vice President & Georgia Division Manager at Alfred Benesch & Company; and Derrick Jackson, President of the South Atlantic Division for UPS.
Duncan also appointed officials Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore and Lowndes County Commissioner Mark Wisenbaker, Jr. Speaker Ralston appointed Mayor Eddie DeLoach of Savannah and Sole Commissioner Steve Taylor of Bartow County.
Representatives from the Georgia Municipal Association, Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, the Georgia and Metro Atlanta Chambers of Commerce, the Georgia Department of Transportation and the Georgia Ports Authority will serve in an ex-officio (non-voting) capacity.
Tanner, who also chairs the House Transportation Committee, said, “I am ready to get to work on this next frontier in our continuing efforts to keep Georgia moving.
