Cagle names Freddie Powell Sims to Hartsfield-Jackson Study Committee

ATLANTA — Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle announced Wednesday the appointment of state Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, a Dawson Democrat, as well as 12 other senators, to the Senate Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Operations and Authority Creation Study Committee.

This study committee, created by SR 882 and sponsored by Sen. Burt Jones, will work throughout the year to identify solutions to strengthen Hartsfield-Jackson Airport as an even more dynamic economic engine for the state of Georgia.

“Atlanta’s airport has generated over 400,000 jobs and $70 billion in economic impact for our state,” Cagle said. “Year after year, Hartsfield-Jackson earns the title of busiest airport in the world and sets new records for productivity and connectivity across the globe. I have full confidence that Senator Jones and the members of this committee will work diligently to give our state’s economy every competitive edge by adding value to this tremendous asset.”

In addition to Sims and Jones, who will chair the committee, Cagle has appointed the following senators to the Senate Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport Operations and Authority Creation Study Committee: Brandon Beach, Gloria Butler, Mike Dugan, Ed Harbison, Tyler Harper, Steve Gooch, John Kennedy, David Lucas, Butch Miller, Jeff Mullis and Valencia Seay.

“Hartsfield-Jackson is a major asset to our state, and it’s been bringing new businesses and jobs to communities across Georgia for decades,” Jones said. “But to maximize this asset’s potential, it’s vitally important we continue evaluating the state’s involvement and role in the airport’s operations. I commend Lt. Gov. Cagle for his strong leadership in guiding our state’s economy to achieve record job growth, and I’m optimistic this committee’s work will only strengthen that momentum going forward.”