Albany Area Chamber of Commerce delegation to visit Georgia Capitol

ALBANY — A group of delegates representing the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce are to be in Atlanta this week for a round of meetings with leaders at the state Capitol to help ensure that legislators fully understand the needs of Albany and Dougherty County.

The delegation will consist of 16 people who are either members of the chamber legislative affairs committee, the chamber executive board or chamber legislative sponsors, who will spend Thursday morning meeting with various state leaders.

“This (trip) is extremely valuable for us,” Cynthia George, chamber legislative committee chair, said. “It gives the chamber an opportunity to let (state leaders) know that Albany and Dougherty County is there and we’re active and engaged.”

Albany Area Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Chris Hardy echoed George’s comments, saying that it was imperative that the chamber delegation make the trip every year to bolster the relationship between local leaders and state decision makers.

“This trip benefits us in many different ways,” Hardy said. “(Mainly) it allows us some face time with decision makers at the state level. That’s invaluable. You can’t really put a value on those relationships.”

Thursday’s trip will primarily consist of a packed morning of meetings with state leaders such as House Transportation Committee Chair Jay Roberts, R-Ocilla; House Speaker David Ralston, R-Blue Ridge; Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle; Gov. Nathan Deal, and others. The group will also be meeting with individuals such as University System of Georgia Executive Vice Chancellor Houston Davis and Georgia National Guard Assistant Adjutant Gen. Thomas Carden.

In addition to meetings with state leaders, the delegation will be joined by various local representatives who will participate in those discussions. The group also will be recognized on the floor of both the House and the Senate.

According to George and Hardy, the meetings at this year’s trip will center on some of the key areas of the chamber’s 2015 legislative agenda. Discussion will be around support for consolidation and relocation of elements of the Georgia National Guard to Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany; expansions at Albany State University, Albany Technical College and Darton State College; issues affecting the Dougherty County School System, and issues impacting agriculture.

“We have a lot of stuff and different topics to be discussed,” said Hardy. “Things like health care, agri-business, education, are all important for our community.”

While discussion of those topics is critical, both Hardy and George agree that perhaps the most important discussions will be those on the upcoming transportation bill.

“The impact of the transportation bill is extremely important,” said George. “We know that we’ve got to invest in transportation. That benefits all businesses in Georgia, Albany and Dougherty County. We’re looking forward to having a conversation with Jay (Roberts)”

George said the biggest issues of concern about the transportation bill are that little is known about how it will end up and how it will ultimately affect Dougherty County and the Dougherty School System. There is hope among those in the chamber delegation that this trip will provide more clarity.

“It’s still a work in progress,” said George. “Many of us really don’t feel that we have enough information to determine whether or not we support it.”

George said that while the meetings only take up half of the day, her experience is that they are beneficial to the delegation and, ultimately, Albany and Dougherty County.

“This is one of those marathon days,” George said. “We cram so much into four hours in the morning it will make your head swim. It works out well and is very, very worthwhile for our community. I don’t think people realize how much legislative legwork the chamber does for the businesses in Albany and Dougherty County. We’re glad to do it.”