U.S. Department of Labor announces availability of up to $90 million in additional Recovery Act funding for on-the-job training

/PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of up to $90 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding to create on-the-job training experiences. The money will be awarded to states that will work with state and local workforce investment boards, community-based organizations and employers in helping displaced workers acquire job skills and experiences that will improve their chances of securing permanent employment.

"The nation's economic recovery is taking hold, but there are still those who lack the basic skills and work experience needed to gain, maintain and advance within a job," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "States and their partners will use this funding to create on-the-job training experiences, which will improve the employment prospects of dislocated workers in areas that have been hard-hit by the recent economic downturn."

Today's funding is drawn from National Emergency Grant funds made available through the Recovery Act. States will apply for funding and then work with selected partners to create on-the-job training opportunities in the private and private nonprofit sectors. For full details, read Training and Employment Notice Number 38-09 available at http://www.doleta.gov/. The same site offers information on the range of Department of Labor employment and training activities.

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South Can Cut Utility Bills, Create Jobs and Conserve Billions of Gallons of Water

According to a new study released today by a team of researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and Duke University’s Nicholas Institute, aggressive adoption of energy efficiency programs in the South[1] would lower utility bills by $41 billion, create 380,000 new jobs, reduce the need for new power plants, and save 8.6 billion gallons of freshwater by 2020.[2]

Total energy demand in the South, where per capita energy consumption is already higher than average, is projected to increase 16 percent from 2010 to 2030.  At the same time, many Southern states spend less on energy efficiency programs than their peer states in other parts of the country.  The research strongly indicates the South’s projected growth in energy consumption need not materialize if the region begins to tap into its tremendous energy efficiency potential.[3]

“An aggressive commitment to energy efficiency could be an economic windfall for the South,” states Dr. Marilyn Brown of the Georgia Institute of Technology and co-lead researcher of the study.  “Such a shift would lower energy bills for cash-strapped consumers and businesses and create more new jobs for Southern workers.”

The energy efficiency policies examined by the research team fall into three broad categories: residential, commercial and industrial. Residential policies include changes to building codes, appliance standards and incentives, weatherization assistance, retrofit incentives and equipment standards.  Commercial building policies include appliance standards and building retrofit incentives.  Industrial policies include plant utility upgrades, process improvement policies, and combined heat and power incentives.

“Energy Efficiency in the South” found that the adoption of aggressive energy-efficiency initiatives in the South would:

Prevent energy consumption from growing over the next 20 years. In the absence of such initiatives, energy consumption in these three sectors is forecast to grow by approximately 16 percent between 2010 and 2030.
 Generate new jobs, cut utility bills and sustain economic growth.  Overall utility bills would be reduced by $41 billion each year in 2020 and $71 billion in 2030; the average residential electricity bills would decline by $26 per month in 2020 and $50 per month in 2030; electricity rate increases would be moderated; and 380,000 new jobs would be created by 2020 (annual job growth increases to 520,000 new jobs in 2030). The region’s economy is anticipated to grow by $1.23 billion in 2020 and $2.12 billion in 2030.
Reduce the need for new power plants.  Almost 25 gigawatts of older power plants would be retired and the construction of up to 50 gigawatts of new plants (equal to the amount of electricity produced by 100 power plants[4]) would be avoided.
Result in substantial water conservation. The reduction in power plant capacity would save southern NERC regions[5] 8.6 billion gallons of freshwater in 2020 and 20.1 billion gallons in 2030.
“The set of energy efficiency policies we examined are also highly cost effective,” said Etan Gumerman of Duke University’s Nicholas Institute and co-lead researcher of the study.  “On average, each dollar invested in energy efficiency over the next 20 years will reap $2.25 in benefits.”

The study was developed using the same state-of-the-art economic modeling tool that the U.S. Energy Information Administration uses in making its annual energy forecasts.  The research team used this tool to compare a “business as usual” scenario with a scenario that included a specific set of energy efficiency investments.  As the findings indicate, the analysis found substantial reductions in energy use, prices, utility bills, water use and carbon emissions in the energy efficiency scenario as compared with business as usual. This study provides a useful estimate of the benefits associated with an aggressive commitment to energy efficiency.  Since it does not include every energy efficiency investment that could be considered, it is by no means an exhaustive measure of the benefits associated with an aggressive commitment to energy efficiency.

“Energy Efficiency in the South” and state profiles that have been developed for each of the states are available on the Southeast Energy Efficiency Alliance (SEEA) website: www.seealliance.org/programs/research.php. SEEA is a nonprofit organization that promotes energy efficiency in the Southeast.  This project is funded with support from the Energy Foundation (www.ef.org), the Kresge Foundation (www.kresge.org) and the Turner Foundation (www.turnerfoundation.org).



About Marilyn Brown and Georgia Tech:

Marilyn Brown, a professor in the School of Public Policy at the Georgia Institute of Technology, is an internationally-recognized leader in the analysis and interpretation of energy futures in the United States. In 2007, Brown was a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize along with the other members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Vice President Al Gore. Additional information about Brown and her research can be found at http://www.spp.gatech.edu/faculty/faculty/mbrown.php.  Brown has been nominated to serve on the Board of the Tennessee Valley Authority and awaits confirmation.  

Georgia Tech’s Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts offers one of the world’s top public policy programs. The research-intensive and globally engaged curriculum aims to solve complex problems in the public interest related to issues of research and technology, energy and sustainability, economic development and governance. The School of Public Policy is dedicated to scholarship and learning that is reflective, effective and sustainable.

About Etan Gumerman and Duke University’s Nicholas Institute:

Etan Gumerman is a scientific engineer at the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University.  Prior to joining the Nicholas Institute, Gumerman was employed by Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and served as the lead modeler and analyst for the Scenarios for a Clean Energy Future Project.  In this role, Gumerman coordinated the efforts of scientists at five national laboratories.

The Nicholas Institute is a nonpartisan institute founded in 2005 to help decision makers in government, the private sector, and the nonprofit community address critical environmental challenges. The Institute responds to the demand for high-quality and timely data and acts as an “honest broker” in policy debates by convening and fostering open, ongoing dialogue between stakeholders on all sides of the issues and providing policy-relevant analysis based on academic research. The Institute’s leadership and staff leverage the broad expertise of Duke University as well as public and private partners worldwide. Since its inception, the Institute has earned a distinguished reputation for its innovative approach to developing multilateral, nonpartisan, and economically viable solutions to pressing environmental challenges.


[1] The study covers “the South” as it is defined by the U.S. Census – the District of Columbia and 16 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.

[2] Bill savings, job creation and water savings #’s are annual numbers as projected in the year 2020.

[3] McKinsey Global Energy and Markets (2009) published an assessment of economic potential for energy efficiency improvements in the United States.  The McKinsey study concluded that the South has the largest energy efficiency resource of any region in the county.  The South accounts for 41 percent of the national potential for energy efficiency improvements.  This contrasts with the Midwest (26 percent), the West (18 percent) and the Northeast (15 percent).

[4] For this calculation, a medium sized (500 megawatt) coal-fired power plant is used for purposes of simplicity.  A larger nuclear power plant produces nearly one gigawatt and a typical natural gas plant produces approximately 300 megawatts.

[5] The North American Electrical Reliability Corporation (NERC) regions covered include all of Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Missouri and portions of Kentucky, Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.


By David Terraso

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US Department of Labor announces $150 million in 'Pathways Out of Poverty' training grants for green jobs

Goodwill Industries is on the list to receive a grant for green job training.

/PRNewswire/ -- Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced $150 million in green jobs training grants, as authorized by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act). The "Pathways Out of Poverty" grants -- as the group of funding awards is known -- will support programs that help disadvantaged populations find ways out of poverty and into economic self-sufficiency through employment in energy efficiency and renewable energy industries.

"These Pathways Out of Poverty grants will help workers in disadvantaged communities gain access to the good, safe and prosperous jobs of the 21st century green economy," said Secretary Solis. "Green jobs present tremendous opportunities for people who have the core skills and competencies needed in such well-paying and rapidly growing industries as energy efficiency and renewable energy."

Through the 38 grants awards announced today, targeted populations will receive recruitment and referral services; basic skills, work-readiness and occupational skills training; supportive services to help overcome barriers to employment; and other services at times and locations that are easily accessible. Through these programs, participants will receive certifications and on-the-job training that will lead to employment.

In order to serve the specific populations targeted by these grants effectively, the Department of Labor encouraged applicants to focus project efforts in communities located within one or more contiguous Public Micro Data Areas (PUMAs) where poverty rates were 15 percent or higher. PUMAs are geographic areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau. All applicants were required to have experience serving economically disadvantaged populations. Programs funded today will serve unemployed individuals, high school dropouts, and other disadvantaged individuals within areas of high poverty.

There are two types of award recipients for these grants: 1) national nonprofit entities with networks of local affiliates, coalition members or other established partners; and 2) local entities including nonprofit organizations, such as community and faith-based organizations, the public workforce investment system, the education and training community, labor organizations, and employer and industry-related organizations.

Today's grants are part of a larger Recovery Act initiative -- totaling $500 million -- to fund workforce development projects that promote economic growth by preparing workers for careers in the energy efficiency industries. For a full listing of the grants and project descriptions, visit http://www.doleta.gov/. To view a video by Secretary Solis, visit http://www.dol.gov/dol/media/webcast/pathways. The U.S. Department of Labor expects to release funding for one remaining green grant award category over the next several weeks.

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Governor Perdue Announces $8.3 million in OneGeorgia Awards

Governor Sonny Perdue and members of the OneGeorgia Authority Board met December 7 at Southwest Georgia Technical College and approved grants and loans from the OneGeorgia Authority’s portfolio of financing programs.

These awards will assist with a variety of economic development projects in rural Georgia aimed at creating jobs, stimulating new private investment, supporting the retention of existing jobs and enhancing regional competitiveness through capacity-building projects. These projects, along with their respective local leadership representatives, were recognized at the OneGeorgia board meeting.

Company officials and local leaders associated with the most recent EDGE awards were recognized at today’s meeting. The five EDGE awards, totaling $2.5 million, are leveraged against approximately $100 million in total project costs and are projected to create over 677 jobs within the next three years as well as to retain 75 jobs.

Washington-Wilkes Payroll Development Authority / Callaway Farms Manufacturing, LLC

EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with building improvements to support the location of Callaway Farms Manufacturing, LLC (CFM), an animal bedding manufacturer, to Washington. The Company plans to rehabilitate an existing 20-acre site previously occupied by International Paper Company Sawmill. CFM is a privately held company that was created in 2007 by three individuals who have over 75 years of agricultural and business experience. The Company’s principal product will be animal bedding for horses that will be made out of pulpwood and unusable timber procured from a five-county area surrounding Wilkes County.

EDGE Award: $100,000 / Total Project Cost: $4.5 million
50 new jobs in two years / Interstate competition: Jasper, Alabama


Development Authority of Harris County / Hoover Universal, Inc.

EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with site preparation to support the location of Hoover Universal, Inc. (HUI), an auto supply manufacturer, to West Point, Harris County. HUI plans to construct a 127,500 square-foot facility on 27 acres in the Northwest Harris Business Park, which is located six miles from the KIA facility. The Company will manufacture interior automotive components, such as seats and door panels, as a Tier 1 supplier to KIA Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. Hoover Universal is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) which was established in 1883. JCI employs over 140,000 worldwide.

EDGE Award: $1 million / Total Project Cost: $35.2 million
310 new jobs in two years / Interstate competition: Alabama


Development Authority of Walton County/General Mills Operations, LLC

EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with the purchase of machinery and equipment to outfit a new distribution facility in support of General Mills Operations, LLC (GMO). GMO is a subsidiary of General Mills, Inc. (GMI), a Fortune 500 company and one of the world’s premier consumer foods companies with products in over 100 countries around the world. With a current manufacturing facility in Covington, Newton County, Georgia since 1989, the Company seeks to expand in the southeastern region of the U.S. by constructing a regional distribution center. General Mills plans to construct a 1.5 million square-foot LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) facility on 130 acres that will be one of the largest of its kind in the U.S. Some of General Mills’ more notable products and brands include: Cheerios, Wheaties, Yoplait, Hamburger Helper, Green Giant, Betty Crocker and the most recognized icon of GMI – the Pillsbury Dough Boy.

EDGE Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $46.7 million
112 new jobs in two years / Interstate competition: Florida and Tennessee


HoustonCountyDevelopment Authority / Little League Baseball, Inc.

EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with site preparation in support of the location of Little League Baseball (LLB), Inc. LLB, a non-profit organization which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues, has helped to organize over 200,000 teams (2.3 million players) in every state in the US and over 80 countries throughout the world. The Company is relocating its Southeastern regional headquarters from St. Petersburg, Florida to Warner Robins in Houston County to a new facility best suited for growth and expansion. LLB plans to construct 10,000 square-feet of administrative office/meeting space, practice fields, and enclosed one-story maintenance facility on 26 acres adjacent to the existing 29.56-acres Warner Robins American Little League complex. The location is expected to attract approximately 20,000 annual visitors to the area which over a 10-year period is estimated to have a $32 million regional impact.

EDGE Award: $598,640 / Total Project Cost: $5.5 million
5 new jobs and indirect impact of $3+ million annually across the region
Interstate competition: North and South Carolina


ThomasvillePayroll Development Authority / Senior Life Insurance Company

EDGE grant funds will be used to assist with site preparation and construction for the expansion of Senior Life Insurance Company (SLIC) in Thomasville. SLIC is a Thomasville based insurance company that has been in business more than 37 years. The Company is licensed to underwrite life and health insurance products in 20 states and the District of Columbia. It is a niche company which offers insurance products to senior citizens. SLIC has 75 employees in Thomasville and occupies 9,000 square feet of rental office space. In 2000, SLIC operated in Georgia and five other southeastern states and in 2002 and 2003, expanded to eight additional states, with two other state applications currently pending. With rapid growth, SLIC has outgrown its current facility, prompting management’s decision to expand its corporate headquarters in Thomasville or move to Florida. The Company plans to construct a 40,000 square foot facility on a 10-acre tract located at the intersection of West Jackson Street and U.S. Hwy 319 South in Thomasville.

EDGE Award: $350,000 / Total Project Cost: $7.9 million
200 new jobs in three years; retain 75 jobs / Interstate competition: Tallahassee, Florida


The Equity Fund is designed to assist communities and regions in building the necessary infrastructure to support economic development. The program’s flexibility also provides financial assistance to enhance publicly-owned tourism initiatives, workforce development opportunities and downtown revitalization projects. In addition, loan funds are available through the Equity Revolving Loan Fund to assist small business owners with business growth and expansion opportunities. Today, 12 Equity awards, totaling $5.1 million, are leveraged against approximately $202 million in total project costs.

City of Vienna - Sewer Infrastructure Improvements

Equity grant funds will be used for sewer infrastructure improvements to benefit the Tyson Poultry Plant located in the City of Vienna, Dooly County. Tyson Foods, the City’s largest employer, processes chickens and has the contract for the Wendy’s food chain in the Southeast. Due to the large amount of waste material associated with chicken processing, the wastewater conveyance system often gets backed up and spills into the environment which has resulted in a Consent Order from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. If the backups last more than a day, plant production ceases. This could jeopardize Tyson’s contract with Wendy’s which could in turn mean the direct loss of 600 jobs for the region. In addition, closure of the plant would affect hatchery employees, poultry farmers, poultry wranglers, feed processors, truck drivers and employees of other related industries in the area.

Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $2.5 million / Retain 600 jobs


City of Cordele – Road Infrastructure

Equity loan funds will be used to assist with road widening improvements along Frontage Road and Kelly Road to State Route 300 in order to open up the area to commercial development opportunities and encourage tourism to the area by accommodating the heavy traffic from I-75 and SR 300. The City of Cordele is located in Crisp County in south middle Georgia in a federally designated Empowerment Zone. Crisp, Dooly and Wilcox Counties have some of the worst poverty levels in the state. The proposed road improvements would increase the number of customers willing and/or able to access businesses along Frontage Road. Businesses to benefit from the road widening improvements are McDonald’s, Flash Foods, Papa’s Southern Meats and Eats, Back Woods Outdoors and Shelby’s Market Place. These Companies and the developer have provided a firm letter of commitment that assures the creation of 68 jobs and the provision of $7,960,648 in private investment.

Equity Loan Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $9.5 million / Create 68 jobs


Downtown Development Authority of the City of Arlington – Facilitating Business Growth / Land, Site Prep, and Public Infrastructure

Equity loan funds will be used to assist with the expansion of Damascus Fertilizer Company, d/b/a Early Trucking Company (ETC), located in Arlington, Calhoun County, Georgia. ETC is one of the largest employers in Calhoun County with 42 full-time employees who reside in 9 counties. The Company provides several levels of services to Southwest Georgia’s peanut industry. These services include transporting peanuts from farmer to purchaser, transporting peanuts in the hull from buying locations to shelling plants, shipping shelled product to storage, shipping hull fiber to regional feed mills and chicken processors, and delivering bulk oil grade peanuts to regional processors. Increased demand has required an expansion of its truck fleet from 28 to 42 trucks, the purchase of 26 additional trailers and 14 additional full-time drivers. The existing location is no longer adequate for ETC’s expanded operations. Equity funds will be loaned to ETC for land acquisition, site preparation and building construction.

Equity Loan Award: $300,126 / Total Project Cost: $2.5 million/ Create 20 jobs


Grady County Joint Development Authority – Capacity Building/ Land Acquisition

Equity grant funds will be used to assist with the acquisition of 175 acres of land ($2.2million) to expand the existing 179-acre Milestone Industrial Park in Cairo, Grady County. The property is located just off Hwy 84, has CSX rail access and is attractive for companies needing access to the tri-state market of Georgia, Florida and Alabama. The City of Cairo has committed to provide all utilities ($1 million) including water, sewer, electricity and natural gas extensions. The Industrial Park was established in 1990 and has become the primary location for much of the industry located in the County, currently serving 17 industries with an estimated 950 workers. Because only small (4 to 10 acre) tracts remain in the original park, Grady County recognized the need to expand the Park, having larger sites available for prospective industries.

Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $3.3 million


City of Madison Downtown Development Authority - Enhancing Regional Tourism / Building Construction

Equity grant funds will be used to assist with the development of the new Town Park Event Center in downtown Madison. The requested funds will be used for the construction of Harris Bicentennial Pavilion and an Art Guild Cottage, the Park’s primary venue and tourist welcome center. Although a center for education and agriculture in the 19th century, Madison is best known today as a popular tourist destination which already hosts over 50,000 visitors each year by marketing its historic downtown and attractions such as the Madison-Morgan Cultural Center, the African American Museum, Heritage Hall, the Rose Cottage, and others. Town Park will accommodate approximately 3,000 people and has already been a tremendous economic development catalyst in the City and Region. The new event center will attract visitors and tourists as it revitalizes a portion of downtown Madison, resulting in the generation of new jobs and tax revenues for the City, County, Region, and State.

Equity Grant Award: $300,000 / Total Project Cost: $2.5 million


Clayton-Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority – Enhancing Regional Competitiveness / Sewer Infrastructure Improvements

Equity grant funds will provide gap financing for needed sewer infrastructure along the northern sector of US Hwy 441 between Mountain City and Dillard to sustain existing businesses. The community has executed documents with GEFA for a $1 million loan and received an Appalachian Regional Commission grant of $300,000. With the Georgia Department of Transportation's completion of the widening/improving of the Northern section of Hwy 441, acceleration of tourism and commercial business sectors is anticipated in an area where topography and environmental protections often limit development opportunities. Because the northernmost portion of this highway (1.25 miles) is without sanitary sewer, existing businesses are threatened by failing onsite septic systems, and new businesses are unable to locate without this basic infrastructure. For example, both the Feed Mill Restaurant and Osage Farms are considering expansions due to business growth. However, due to failing sewer systems, these expansions are in jeopardy. Located in the northeastern corner of the state, Rabun and Habersham Counties are strategically positioned to attract and conduct business within a four-state region which includes Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Equity Grant Award: $300,000 / Total Project Cost: $2.1 million / Retain 12 jobs


Toccoa-StephensAirportAuthority – Building Construction

Equity grant funds will be used to assist with construction of a 5,948 SF terminal facility at the Toccoa-Stephens County Regional Airport at R.G LeTourneau Field. Presently a small office within a privately-operated maintenance hangar serves as the airport terminal. The airport, located in the northeastern corner of the state, is centrally located near the Georgia and North/South Carolina borders and serves as a gateway to the Northeast Georgia Mountains. Statistics reflect that this Level II airport handles comparable traffic to other Level III airports (Cornelia, Blairsville) and is Georgia's northernmost airport before entering mountainous terrain, serving as a hub for Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountain tourist traffic. While neighboring Franklin and Hart Counties are served by two airports, neither have adequate facilities to welcome/meet prospective business clients. This proposed airport terminal will play a pivotal role in attracting regional business and tourism prospects to the Northeast Region. After losing 2,000+ furniture manufacturing jobs and similar amount of textile jobs, this region has adopted a plan to attract smaller diversified industry.

Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $3.2 million


RandolphCountyDevelopment Authority – Agri-business

Equity loan funds will be used to assist with the purchase of machinery and equipment in support of the location of A.G. Daniel Industries, LLC to Randolph County, Georgia. A.G. Daniel Industries is a Georgia company which will manufacture cattle feed product from cotton gin waste material which is currently being disposed of via burning. This product can replace high quality cattle feed at a price that is significantly lower than the market price of other like feed products. The Company will also reclaim 11.5% good quality cotton lint which will be baled in industry standard 500 pound bales and sold to cotton product manufacturers. The processing equipment will also collect and separate what is known as mote cotton which will also be baled and sold to either a mote processor or a company that manufactures products from the short fiber material, such as money, insulation and furniture padding. A.G. Daniel will create at least 70 new jobs within two years and invest over $5 million in the community.

Equity Loan Award: $400,000 / Total Project Cost: $6.4 million / Create 70 jobs


Development Authority of Jefferson County – Water Infrastructure

Equity grant funds will support water infrastructure improvements in the new 664 acre Kings Mill Commerce Park located 3 miles south of Wrens and 10 miles from Louisville. The project will consist of constructing 17,700 linear feet of 12-inch waterlines to serve the park. Jefferson County is contracting with the City of Wrens to operate and maintain the system. The property is strategically located near the junction of US Hwy 1 and S. R. 80 and is bordered by nearly one mile of Norfolk Southern main rail line. Natural gas service is available via the City of Wrens. Jefferson County became Georgia’s first Certified Work Ready Community. In addition, the County is recognized as a Community of Opportunity. Known as a bedroom community on the outskirts of Augusta, Jefferson County is one of 14 counties that comprise the Central Savannah River Area. Although no tenants have been secured for the Park thus far, the projected impact in terms of job creation is 1,650 jobs at full build-out.

Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $3.9 million


City of Barnesville – Water Infrastructure

Equity grant funds will assist with public water infrastructure improvements, specifically the installation of a dual feed loop to the City’s existing water system, to support the location of Piedmont Green Power, LLC (PGP) on 50 acres in the Legacy Industrial Park in Barnesville. Having a reliable, continuous supply of water at the required pressure will be a critical factor in the operation of the plant. The company plans to begin construction in March 2010 with anticipated operations/commissioning of the plant in the spring of 2012. PGP, a subsidiary of North Carolina-based Rollcast Energy, Inc, is a producer of clean, sustainable electrical energy. PGP plans to construct a 60,000 SF renewable power generation facility using native, regional biomass materials to generate nearly 50 megawatts of electricity that will be sold through a power purchase agreement (PPA) to Georgia Power.

Equity Grant Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $161.1 million
Create 22 jobs and unspecified number of indirect jobs via trucking, forest products and ancillary services


City of Colquitt Downtown Development Authority – Regional Tourism/Building Rehab

Equity grant and loan funds will be used to renovate a 4,600 square foot 1950s era movie theater on the town square into a regional multi-use conference/ meeting/performance center to be called The Woodstork Center. The Center has a seating capacity of 300 and would accommodate all types of events. This facility is seen as an enhancement and expansion of the cultural tourism initiative started in 1992 with the first production of Swamp Gravy, Georgia's Folk Life Play. Over the last several years Colquitt has hosted multiple conferences including "Building Creative Communities" Conferences (2006-2009) with the 4th scheduled for February 2010 and also three Southwest Georgia Film Festivals held each September. Colquitt has also been selected to host the 2010 "Global Mural, Arts and Cultural Tourism" Conference next October, which will bring people from all over the world. Over the years, Colquitt has expanded its performance repertoire to include May-Haw, a musical variety theater offered during the year as well as summer and Christmas Youth Theater Programs. An estimated 55,000 people visit Colquitt and Miller County annually for performances, events, festivals, mural tours, and restaurants. The project will be another asset to build on the cultural tourism industry of the region.

Equity Grant/Loan Award: $500,000 / Total Project Cost: $1.2 million


Hart County Water and Sewer Utility Authority – Water Infrastructure

Equity grant funds will be used to assist with water improvements to benefit Cobb-Vantress, Inc. (CVI) and Crystal Farms, Inc. (CFI), two of the state’s leading poultry industries. Cobb-Vantress is a leading supplier of broiler breeding stock. They are currently served by three groundwater wells. A consistent, reliable water source is needed to hydrate and cool the 60,000 great grandparent birds at the location. Their 43 employees also take approximately 100 showers a day. Crystal Farms, Inc. is the largest commercial egg producer in the state of Georgia. The southwestern Hart County facility houses 1.4 million hens. The site currently has sixteen wells, three of which are dry. With a cumulative $24 million private investment and nearly 100 jobs, both poultry companies, located along an un-served 10-mile stretch of Hwy 29, are without fire protection and must solely rely on private wells for water. Over the past several years, both companies have had to rotate water supplies to sustain operations. Improvements include an interconnection between Hart County's Water Authority and the City of Royston.

Equity Grant Award: $300,000 / Total Project Cost: $4.9 million


The AIRGeorgia Fund is intended to accelerate the completion of critical airport infrastructure improvements. Today’s AIRGeorgia award of $651,835 is leveraged against more than $1.8 million in total project costs.

City of Reidsville – Level I Airport – Runway Extension

AIRGeorgia grant funds will be used to assist with improvements to Swinton Smith Field at Reidsville Municipal Airport that includes an extension of the 3,802 ft runway to 5,000 ft, a taxiway addition and installation of aviation lighting. The Airport is located in Tattnall County in SE Georgia. Situated on 297.83 acres, this Level I airport is owned by the Reidsville Airport Authority and is operated by the City of Reidsville. The request for AIRGeorgia assistance equals 36% of the $1,820,884 total project cost. Project partners include the City, Airport Authority, Federal Aviation Administration, Georgia Department of Transportation’s Aviation Division, and the engineering firm of Wilbur Smith Associates. Benefits of the airport improvements will include improved safety as well as increased economic activity. In addition, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) has two helicopters that are permanently stationed at the airport. Plans are underway to add a new hangar and to add a fixed-wing aircraft to the fleet of the GSP aircraft.

AIRGeorgia Grant Award: $651,835 / Total Project Cost: $1.8 million


The OneGeorgia Authority was created utilizing one-third of the state’s tobacco settlement to assist the state’s most economically challenged areas. The OneGeorgia Authority is expected to receive about $1.6 billion over the 25-year term of the settlement. From the Authority’s inception to-date, OneGeorgia has made 458 awards totaling $251 million leveraged against total project investment of $5 billion, a return on investment of 20:1. Impacting 132 economically-depressed counties, more than 45,000 jobs have been retained and created.

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Oxendine Joins Georgia Conservatives in Calling for a Veto override of HB 481

HB 481 is a pro-jobs bill helping Georgia small businesses willing to hire unemployed workers at a time when Georgia families desperately need jobs.

It is a free market, small government approach which would provide an appropriate level of state government involvement in the free market system. It is a tragedy that Georgia families cannot benefit from this important piece of legislation.

The JOBS Act of 2009 was one of the best pieces of legislation passed during this last Session. Tax cuts have proven to be a successful economic stimulus, both for the economy and the government. Lowering the taxes of businesses hiring those in need of jobs would have been a great incentive and helped both the unemployed and the business owner. Cutting capital gains taxes would have encouraged more investment into the state. It is a sad day when this type of legislation gets vetoed by a Republican Governor.

If I were Governor, I would make it a priority to sign any bill cutting taxes and encouraging economic development on the day after session ended. The people of Georgia need jobs and this free market approach to that problem should have been signed weeks ago, not vetoed today.

This is the type of stimulus Georgia needs and what Washington should have passed.

I call on the legislature to put the people of Georgia first and override the veto of HB 481.

It's time for real stimulus.


John Oxendine
Governor 2010

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Carbon Motors Corporation Announces Five US States on Short List for 10,000 New American Jobs

(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carbon Motors Corporation announced today that 5 US States have made the short list for the location of the Carbon Campus, which will house the entirety of the company’s operations. Carbon Motors is a bold, new homeland security company that has developed the Carbon E7, the world’s first purpose-built law enforcement patrol vehicle. Independent projections forecast that 10,000 new sustainable direct and indirect American jobs will be created driving a $3 billion positive economic impact over ten years in the selected region. Formal Request for Proposals (RFPs) have been issued to local, state, and federal authorities in:

* Georgia (Braselton and Pooler)
* Indiana (Connersville)
* Michigan (Plymouth)
* North Carolina (Charlotte)
* South Carolina (Greenville and Spartanburg)

“We are keeping our commitment to share transparently with the public our discussions regarding the site location for Carbon Motors as we work to foster the public-private sector collaboration needed to provide our first responders the equipment they so sorely need,” said William Santana Li, chairman and chief executive officer, Carbon Motors Corporation.

“Moreover, as we have traveled across the nation during the Pure Justice Tour, we have become even more attuned to the critical needs of our first responders and the nation as a whole. We must innovate our way out of this national crisis, show courage and leadership despite the challenges, create new American jobs quickly, secure our homeland, re-energize our industrial sector, eliminate wasteful government spending, and address our critical energy issues. The White House has called for the country’s entrepreneurs to help bring America back to its rightful glory – we are here to do exactly just that with the most visible government fleet in the country,” continued Li.

“Beyond all the benefits that the Carbon E7 provides, our country has a moral obligation to provide our nation’s 840,000 law enforcement first responders with the world-class equipment needed to secure our homeland. We look forward to working closely with the U.S. Department of Energy, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice as well as the White House and Auto Task Force to insure that we provide our brave women and men in law enforcement the same capability, protection and support that we provide our U.S. soldiers in a theatre of war. Absolutely nothing less will suffice,” said Li.

KEY FACTS

* American Jobs – the over 450,000 law enforcement patrol vehicles that protect and secure our communities across America are not manufactured in the USA. The Carbon E7 will be produced in one of five U.S. States under consideration.
* Energy – the nation’s law enforcement government fleet burns through an estimated 1.5 billion gallons of fuel annually and emits an estimated 14 million tons of CO2; the Carbon E7 will cut that by up to 40% using clean diesel technology, also capable of running on biodiesel
* Homeland Security – over 7 years after 9-11 our country’s 840,000 law enforcement first responders continue to utilize inconsistently outfitted retail passenger vehicles meant for consumer use which do not provide the safety and performance capabilities appropriate to secure our homeland; over 2,800 law enforcement professionals across all 50 US States at the local, state, and federal level helped design the Carbon E7 to specifically address their needs in the field
* Wasteful Government Spending – unlike the U.S. Department of Defense that oversees our military operations, the country’s over 19,000 law enforcement agencies have very limited economies of scale in purchasing the equipment they need and are forced to utilize an outdated and wildly inefficient process to operate and service these vehicles in the field. Moreover, they experience unnecessarily high operating costs due to unacceptable fuel economy, poor durability, excessive service requirements, and critical safety concerns. The Carbon E7 will reduce the total life cycle costs as well as the overall taxpayer burden required to support our law enforcement operations and provide dramatic improvements in safety and effectiveness at the same time.
* Industrial Investment – Carbon Motors will invest over $350 million into developing and producing the Carbon E7, which is slated for start of production in 2012. This amount is less than 1.5% of the $25 billion administered by the U.S. Department of Energy for the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program. Carbon Motors looks to work with federal authorities to balance the amount of backing provided to struggling legacy players with support provided to those looking to innovate and leverage best practices to reinvigorate America’s leadership in the industrial sector.

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Governor Proposes Investments in Georgia's Future, Encourages Long-Term Perspective

Governor Sonny Perdue today delivered his annual State of the State address before a joint session of the General Assembly detailing how the state continues to fulfill its core mission through challenging economic times. The Governor’s Amended FY 2009 and FY 2010 budgets and policy initiatives continue his commitment to education, economic development and government transformation to deliver better value for the taxpayer’s dollar.

“We must not allow ourselves to be trapped in a short-term mindset where rash decisions result in dire long-term consequences,” said Governor Perdue. “Our perspective must be one of optimism even in the face of difficult economic cycles.”

Governor Perdue used his State of the State address to formally submit his Amended FY 2009 and FY 2010 budget recommendations to the General Assembly. Governor Perdue’s recommended Amended 2009 budget totals $19.2 billion and the 2010 budget stands at $20.2 billion.

The Governor thanked the legislature for working with his administration to help replenish the Rainy Day Fund, which now stands at $1.2 billion. In these budgets, Governor Perdue recommended using the maximum amount available for appropriation from the reserves, appropriating $187 million for the education midyear adjustment, $50 million in 2009 and $408 million in 2010. In 2009, a number of one-time strategies unavailable in 2010 will be implemented to balance the budget. Therefore, Governor Perdue recommended the largest portion of available reserve funds be committed to the 2010 budget.

The Governor’s 2010 budget includes a $1.2 billion bond package that will create an estimated 20,000 jobs and features projects in which both design and construction are funded in the same year.

“These projects touch every corner of the state and include new construction at our universities, technical schools, local school systems and libraries; harbor deepening at the Savannah port and needed improvements at state facilities.,” said Governor Perdue.

Governor Perdue also outlined a proposal to restructure the Department of Human Resources. Currently, $3.8 billion is spent within DHR every year. The plan calls for the creation of a new Department of Behavioral Health which will include all mental health and addictive disease programs. The bill also establishes a Department of Health, a combination of the public health and oversight programs in DHR and the current functions of DHR. Remaining social services, such as Developmental Disabilities, Aging, DFCS and Child Support, will come together under a reconstituted Department of Human Services.

Governor Perdue will also introduce legislation to ask those who receive Medicaid payments to help fund the system. This proposal takes advantage of the fact that every dollar used toward Medicaid purposes draws down almost two additional dollars from the federal government. The budget will reflect, and an accompanying bill will propose, a 1.6 percent fee on hospitals and health insurance plans to, not only fill the hole in Medicaid, but also to do what the healthcare community has asked of Governor Perdue’s administration. This proposal will significantly raise Medicaid rates, particularly for hospitals; and in conjunction with the SuperSpeeder legislation, provide $60 million for trauma to sustain and expand the state’s trauma hospitals, EMS and trauma physician infrastructure.

The Governor asked the General Assembly to carefully consider the consequences of cutting healthcare coverage.

“I implore you, do not rush into a short-sighted cut that would have long-term consequences for Georgia’s most needy,” the Governor said.

Governor Perdue highlighted the efforts by Gwinnett County schools to increase student achievement. Last week, the State Board of Education approved an IE2 contract and committed to be held accountable for increased student achievement above and beyond state and federal requirements.

For the 2009 session, Governor Perdue is proposing merit pay legislation that will award teachers who show evidence that their classroom instruction leads to increased student achievement. Governor Perdue is also proposing differentiated pay for math and science teachers. Additional legislation will ensure every student in Georgia has the benefit of responsible leadership at the school system level. This legislation will clearly define what citizens expect from Georgia’s school board members, and it will give the state the ability to replace board members who aren’t serving in the best interests of their students.

“Education means opportunity,” said Governor Perdue. “We spend more than half of our state budget on education because we know that opportunity is discovered in Georgia’s classrooms.”

Governor Perdue’s encouraged legislators and all Georgians to remember the resiliency of our great state, and while we confront the short-term challenges of today we will continue to prepare to take advantage of future opportunities.

“As I think about the American promise of freedom and economic opportunity, I know that rich promise will mean great things for Georgians in the years to come. The soil has proven too rich to dare believe anything else,” the Governor said. “As I look within, I find something within the human constitution that bounces back, something within this collective American spirit that rebuilds. This is the time to continue building our state, to prepare for the future, to plant the seeds that will enrich our children’s inheritance. Together, we will do just that.”



The text of the Governor’s State of the State speech is below…

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, President Pro Tem Williams, Speaker Pro Tem Burkhalter … Members of the General Assembly. Constitutional officers and members of the judiciary. The Consular Corps and other distinguished guests. And, most of all, my fellow Georgians.

I want to begin this morning with the story of a young Georgian who embodies the resiliency of our state.

Just three years ago, Jeremy Lee was a 14-year old student from Clayton County on his way to the Ireland Youth Development Campus in Milledgeville because he and some friends made a bad decision.

He could have seen this as an indictment not only of his crime, but of his potential. He could have settled for a life marked by disappointment.

But Jeremy made a life altering decision, one that will benefit the lives of others for years to come. He chose to focus on what he could be, not wallowing in the self-pity of tough times, and invested his time and energy in preparing himself to emerge from that campus a better person.

Last summer, Jeremy walked out of those gates with a high school diploma and is now enrolled at Morehouse College.

Jeremy is now pursuing his goal to be a doctor, and that pursuit is a testament to his inner-resilience. I am pleased that he could join us this morning. Jeremy, please rise so we can recognize your efforts.

It’s Jeremy’s resilience and the resilience of thousands like him across our state that gives me confidence that we will emerge from these challenging times stronger.

This is a pivotal moment in our nation’s history. It is a moment in which we are asked to see beyond what George Will calls the “tyranny of the short-term,” beyond the circumstances of the moment, to the big picture – a picture that is informed by our history, bolstered by our character and steeled by our will to succeed.

Despite the stresses of a moment like this, we must not allow ourselves to be trapped in a short-term mindset where rash decisions result in dire long-term consequences. We must remain focused on the big picture … Our perspective must be one of optimism even in the face of difficult economic cycles.

… I look forward to attending President-elect Obama’s inauguration next week and I am confident that he and the new administration will do everything in their power to meet the challenges that face this nation.

However, we cannot plan by relying on the unknown, and the budgets I present to you today are balanced and do not assume money from Washington. Our latest revenue estimate for this fiscal year shows a decline of $2.2 billion, resulting in a $19.2 billion amended budget.

Political mantras aside, cutting more than 10 percent from a budget cannot be achieved by simply cutting waste. While we have worked for six years to do more with less, at some point, in business or in government, it becomes less with less.

The job of budgeting is hard right now, but it’s not because the directions are complicated. Like families sitting around their kitchen tables all over Georgia, we are doing what is necessary to balance our checkbook.

… I want to thank the legislature for working with us to replenish the Rainy Day Fund, which now stands at $1.2 billion. As you all know, at my request, you wisely passed legislation requiring us to retain at least four percent of previous year’s revenue in the reserve fund for balancing the budget at the end of the year if needed.

So I have recommended using the maximum amount available for appropriation from the reserves, appropriating $50 million this year and $408 million next year, as well as $187 million for the midyear education adjustment. We are using some one-time strategies to help balance this year’s budget that won’t be available next year. Therefore, I have recommended that the largest portion of available reserve funds be committed to next year’s budget, which stands at $20.2 billion.

I want to applaud our department leaders -- men and women who are on the ground, who know their mission, their people and their customers. This past spring, agencies willingly responded to my call for restrained spending and returned over $200 million to our state’s Rainy Day Fund at the end of last year.

And then this summer, when I asked them to identify potential budget reductions, their response was thorough and strategic. They were able to find the cuts and maintain the ability to execute their core missions.

That is a testament to those leaders and to the culture change we’ve made in state government!

In six years, we have transformed government making it more efficient and more accountable by instilling a customer-focused culture of public service.

Sometimes this difference isn’t seen in a budget document. But even then, it often impacts thousands of Georgians, who spend less time waiting on government and more time doing what they want to do.

Over the last three years, Joe Doyle and his team at the Office of Customer Service have led this culture change. For example, in Child Support Services, the time between a parent’s initial contact with the agency and meeting with a case worker, has gone from a 30 day wait to same-day service.

A year ago, when a prospective teacher seeking certification called the Professional Standards Commission, they waited nine minutes, on average, to speak with a person … 37 percent just hung up out of frustration. Now, those folks wait eight seconds.

The wait for a new driver’s license has gone from two hours to six minutes and the Medicaid approval process has gone from nine weeks to twelve days, with half of all applicants getting same day approval. And those changes didn’t cost a penny!

This year, we experienced a historic early voter turnout and this same group partnered with the Secretary of State’s to assist 13,000 voters: telling them where and how to voter early. They will continue their work with projects ranging from improving financial aid response times to speeding up DCH’s approval process for children with special needs.

Ladies and gentlemen, I want you to help me recognize Mr. faster, friendlier and easier … Joe Doyle.

We are working in every area of government to ensure that we are getting the best possible value for our investment and that we are providing the best possible service to every Georgian.

To that end, in February, I signed an executive order forming a task force to look at a possible restructuring of the Department of Human Resources. Folks, we spend $3.8 billion within DHR every year – an agency that hasn’t undergone major change since it was formed over three decades ago.

After a thorough review by the Health and Human Services Task Force, we have determined a course of action that will re-orient our approach to healthcare by shifting the focus from inputs to results.

First, we are proposing the creation of a new Department of Behavioral Health which will include all mental health and addictive disease programs. This will improve our responsiveness to mental health needs and will make funding more transparent.

We will continue to improve care by moving towards a community-based delivery system. I know some folks will be concerned with how this might affect jobs in their area, but when it comes to mental health, I believe we have an obligation to provide services to Georgians as close as possible to where they live.

Second, the bill would establish a Department of Health – a combination of the public health and oversight programs in DHR and the current functions of DCH. This agency, which will be led by Dr. Rhonda Medows, will deliver workable solutions on the key healthcare issues we face …

Issues affecting Georgians like how to best facilitate and finance healthcare coverage and how to provide needed access.

Preventative medicine will play a bigger role, inefficiencies and redundancies will be eliminated and every stakeholder in Georgia’s healthcare system – from county boards of public health to Medicaid providers – will work as part of a more coordinated effort.

The remaining social services – Developmental Disabilities, Aging, DFCS and Child Support – will come together under a reconstituted Department of Human Services led by Commissioner B.J. Walker.

We have made progress in the delivery of these safety-net services to our critical populations: we have improved from 50th to 5th in the nation for moving people from state hospitals to community facilities; DFACS has reduced out-of-home placements by 21 percent, and recurring child abuse rates have dropped from 9 percent to 3 percent in the last two years, 2 percent below the national average. I believe a more targeted focus on these programs will lead to even further improvement.

We know that improved lines of communication and enhanced coordination are critical, and I fully expect that these agency heads will meet regularly to coordinate policy and cross-agency service delivery.

I have charged the affected agencies to make this transition within their current budgeted amounts and, in the long term, we believe this reorganization will bring greater efficiency and greater value for the taxpayer dollar.

I want to thank all those who have helped make this happen, particularly the legislative members of the task force: Senators Jack Hill and Renee Unterman, and Representatives Ben Harbin and Mark Butler.

I look forward to working with the legislature and health and human service leaders and providers throughout this state to improve healthcare delivery for every Georgian.

When I came into office, Medicaid was growing annually at rates as high as 17 percent. Over the last four years, growth averaged just 3.4 percent, saving the state a staggering $4.7 billion. Those are numbers that any business would envy.

Even though we have controlled the growth of our Medicaid budget, we faced some very difficult choices this year. The federal government has told states that we can no longer fund Medicaid as we have since 2006. That decision could not have come at a worse time. Washington, in its infinite wisdom, has decided that if we assess a fee against our Care Management Organizations as we currently do, we must impose it on all commercial health plans.

We had to choose: everyone or no one. If we said “no one,” it would have cost Georgia $96 million in state Medicaid funds.

While I’m recommending cuts to many agencies and programs above ten percent, even a five percent cut to the state Medicaid budget would mean an additional $112 million reduction.

That one-two punch of federal mandates and declining revenues means we faced a $208 million hole in the state’s Medicaid budget. To be clear, this $208 million represents the funds paid to providers on behalf of Georgia’s most needy.

To ensure these needed services continue, I had to choose between some tough options. The first option was to eliminate discretionary Medicaid programs – the ones that the federal government does not require us to fund.

This would mean eliminating the medically needy category for eligibility, which serves 7,100 Georgians; eliminating the Katie Beckett Program for 3,100 Georgians; eliminating dental benefits for the 60,000 pregnant women that were covered last year; and eliminating Medicaid coverage for foster children over the age of 18.

In PeachCare, we would have had to eliminate dental benefits, freeze enrollment and reduce the enrollment cap, as well as increase premiums and – for the first time – impose premiums on children between the ages of two and five. All of those cuts combined would still have left a gap exceeding $150 million.

A second option, I could have cut reimbursements to our providers by $208 million. Providers have consistently told us – rightly or wrongly – they believe even our present reimbursement rates are already too low.

A third option would have been to impose the same 4.5 percent fee on commercial and Medicaid managed care and preferred provider plans, that we currently impose only on CMOs. While that remains an option, I prefer a broader based approach that spreads the burden.

I chose to ask those who receive Medicaid payments to help fund the system. This proposal takes advantage of the fact that every dollar we send to Washington for Medicaid draws down almost two additional dollars.

So my budget will reflect, and an accompanying bill will propose, a 1.6 percent fee on hospitals and health insurance plans to fill the hole in Medicaid, and to do what the healthcare community has asked of us for so long: one, to significantly raise reimbursement rates for providers, particularly for hospitals; and two, in conjunction with SuperSpeeder legislation, provide $60 million to sustain and expand the state’s trauma network.

Like most things we address here at the Capitol, this plan will not be universally acclaimed, but I have arrived at this solution after thoughtful, careful deliberation. I implore you … Do not rush into a short-sighted cut that would have long-term consequences for Georgia’s most needy.

Finally, for those that would wait for Washington … we have waited before. And while I am hopeful that we may receive additional federal funds, when I put the budget together, I did not have the option to budget for money that may never materialize.

… We all say, whether it’s in a campaign or a State of the State speech like this, that education is our number one priority. But what does that mean? To me, it means providing opportunity. We spend more than half of our state budget on education because we know that opportunity is discovered in Georgia’s classrooms.

In these budget times, there are certain things we can do to help our local school systems. We have already informed schools of our intention to relax expenditure controls, giving them additional flexibility. This move will allow those closest to the students to manage funds in the most efficient way.

… Last year, I proudly signed IE2 legislation. Let me boil it down for you … this is true local control with real accountability! In exchange for this flexibility, systems entering into a contract with the State Board of Education are held accountable for increased student achievement above and beyond state and federal requirements. And they will face serious consequences if they fail to meet those goals.

It’s exactly the kind of clear, straightforward and results-driven program local school districts have asked for since I came into office. And, just last week, the State Board of Education approved the first IE2 contract with Gwinnett County.

This means that ten percent of the students in Georgia will be under a performance contract to increase student achievement. I commend Alvin Wilbanks and the Gwinnett County School Board for continuing to lead by example.

In the weeks and months to come, I believe you’re going to see progressive school systems from all around the state sign on, and if you’re in a parent in Georgia, that’s something to be excited about!

As I outlined yesterday, I am proposing legislation that will ensure that every student in Georgia has the benefit of responsible leadership at the school system level.

Most local school board members in this state are in that position for all the right reasons and they do a great job for our students, but unfortunately, that isn’t universal. And we must take action, because when a school board is failing, every student that depends on them is cheated.

This legislation will clearly define what citizens expect from school board members and it will give the state the ability to replace board members with responsible, local citizens when accreditation is threatened. Never again, do I intend for the state to be handcuffed by our current law and powerless to help students who are being failed by the adults in their community.

Also, I will propose legislation to establish a high school principal incentive pay program for those principals who increase student achievement – raising graduation rates and improving SAT and End of Course Test scores.

I am proposing merit pay legislation that will award teachers who show evidence that their classroom instruction leads to increased student achievement. Currently, extraordinary teachers are locked into a compensation model that fails to reward excellence. This is the next step in moving education from a culture of compliance to one based on performance.

We are also proposing differentiated pay for math and science teachers. It astonishes me that this state produced just three physics teachers last year. We must introduce a market dynamic into the salary schedule to address these critical needs areas. Some may be surprised to hear these ambitious plans in these times, but, this more than any other period, is a time to continue improving education and the basic institutions of government.

We are fortunate to live in a state where people want to be. Last year, Georgia was the fourth fastest growing state in the nation. And in the last eight years, we have added 1.5 million people.

Not only do people move here, they stay here. Georgia ranks third in the nation for keeping our native-born population, with over 69 percent of people who were born in Georgia still living here. I don’t say all this just to share statistics, there is a story there, and it’s a story about Georgia’s competitive advantages and a great quality of life.

This enormous growth brings its own challenges … I call those the “problems of prosperity.”

We continue to work to protect our most precious natural resource … water. Last year, I signed into law Georgia’s first Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Plan to help our state balance water use and growth.

I want to, again, thank all of you for participating in what I consider to be the most inclusive piece of legislation we’ve worked on since I’ve been Governor.

The Lieutenant Governor, Speaker and I will soon announce our appointments to the Regional Water Councils. We are working to ensure that those selected will represent a good cross-section of Georgia talent – both in their personal experiences and geographically. These councils are going to put our Statewide Water Plan in action.

I am confident the rains will come, and I am encouraged by the fact that our new management plan will make us better stewards, both now and over the long term.

Our experience in working together on the water plan will be needed again as we address our transportation needs. A growing Georgia will depend upon a transportation network that supports mobility and commerce. Like most government programs, the money available is short of what our needs are, so we must guard every dollar that is spent to make sure we maximize its value. Reforming DOT has been one of the toughest challenges my administration has faced, and we are not through yet.

Last summer, I commissioned Investing in Tomorrow’s Transportation Today, or IT3, so that we as policymakers could understand the value of additional investment, while we continue to bring our transportation planning, funding and building policies up to date.

Transportation improvements providing access to markets, reliable and stress-free commutes and speedy freight movements can be the catalyst that propels our economy forward, just as we have seen over our state’s history.

The Lieutenant Governor, Speaker and I share a mutual commitment to address our transportation needs, and we will continue reforming DOT with a goal of standing up a system that can take that funding and provide the value Georgians deserve. Once I feel certain that we can deliver transportation value to Georgia citizens, I will support responsible measures to raise additional revenues.

… As Georgia grows, so do our energy needs and Georgia is meeting this challenge by creating a fertile environment for alternative energy production. Those efforts have been rewarded with $2.4 billion of investment over the last two years. That investment means new jobs for Georgians.

In November, Norcross-based Suniva, birthed right here in one of our research universities, began fabricating the most advanced solar technology in the world.

This summer, we will host more than 15,000 energy innovators for the biggest bio-lifescience conference in the world – BIO 2009. This is an outstanding opportunity to showcase Georgia’s progress in life sciences, and our potential to help heal, fuel and feed the world.

As we continue to attract new investment in biotechnology, we can secure our position as a leader in this industry by enacting laws that respect the role of the federal Food and Drug Administration as the regulator of the safety of drugs and medical devices.

But the best incentive we can offer an employer is a talented workforce that is ready to meet their needs, and our Work Ready program does just that.

We began Work Ready two years ago and Georgia workers have responded. There are now 111 counties – 70 percent of the state – working toward Certified Work Ready Community status.

As Georgia workers compete with peers as far away as China or as close as South Carolina, Work Ready puts them a step ahead. That is certainly the case with Joy Anthony.

Joy’s Work Ready Certificate distinguished her and gave her the edge she needed in her job search. Her employer was impressed by the skills Work Ready identified and they have designated her as a “Rising Star” in their company.

Joy is one over 35,000 Georgians to take control of their future, making themselves more marketable to employers looking for a talented workforce.

Ladies and gentleman, Georgia is ready to take advantage of our workforce and our strong balance sheet. We remain one of seven states with a triple-A bond rating and we will invest in projects that will be of long-term value to Georgians.

This year’s bond package, totaling over $1.2 billion in new investment, will put Georgians to work and build critical infrastructure. In the past, we have often funded the design phase of a project one year and construction at some later date. This year’s package will feature many projects in which both design and construction are funded in the same year, ensuring their timely completion.

In a time that we have trimmed our budget in other areas, we are aggressively increasing our bond package by a full twenty percent over last year. This will take advantage of low construction costs and create an estimated 20,000 new jobs in an industry that is ready to go to work.

These projects touch every corner of the state and include new construction at our universities, technical schools, local school systems and libraries; harbor deepening at the Savannah port and needed improvements at state facilities.

As I said at the outset today, we’re going to maintain a long-term perspective – we are not going to panic and make knee-jerk decisions that will have negative long-term consequences.

We stand at a crossroads, and as a father and a grandfather ten times over, I can say, we all recognize how important it is to the next generation that we get it right … right now.

Don’t hear me dismissing the scope or severity of this downturn. But, more importantly, don’t leave failing to hear the message that we need to look beyond this downturn.

Think about it, you don’t get anywhere in life without a long-term perspective and a long-term plan. You have to weather the turbulence - that’s true in a career, that’s true in the history of every successful marriage. Isn’t that right, Mary?

When the economy takes a downturn, you don’t give up on the economic promise of America that has proven true over the centuries. You don’t discard the promise … you build for the future with that promise in mind.

There is much to do in Georgia in this coming year but it can be summarized in that overarching mission to continue executing on the fundamentals of good government; to improve our competitive advantages, to make Georgia a better place to live and a better place to do business.

As I look back and think about our history, I am certain that this is not the tallest mountain we’ve been asked to climb.

As I think about the American promise of freedom and economic opportunity, I know that rich promise will mean great things for Georgians in the years to come. The soil has proven too rich to dare believe anything else.

As I look within, I find something within the human constitution that bounces back, something within this collective American spirit that rebuilds.

I’ll never claim to be a Nehemiah; but the prophet’s call, “Let us rebuild the walls,” rings true today. This is the time to continue building our state, to prepare for the future, to plant the seeds that will enrich our children’s inheritance. Together, we will do just that!

Thank you! God bless you. God bless America … and may God bless the great state of Georgia!

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Governor Perdue Announces Opening of I-85 Interchange and Roads in Troup to Serve New Kia Motors Facility

Governor Sonny Perdue announced the Georgia Department of Transportation’s new Interstate 85 interchange at Exit 6 in Troup County has been completed ahead of schedule and opened to traffic December 10. The interchange and related new roads in the area provide direct access to the Kia Motors Manufacturing of Georgia production facility currently under construction.

“This is another milestone in the partnership between Georgia and Kia Motors,” Governor Perdue said. “The assembly facility and nearby suppliers will create thousands of jobs for Georgians and billions of dollars of new investment. The construction jobs both at the plant and building the interchange have already contributed heavily to the area’s economy, and Georgia DOT has done a great job completing this project ahead of schedule.”

Georgia DOT Commissioner Gena Evans noted that the project is an enormous achievement for the Department considering a tight, 18-month construction timetable that needed to be met. Work was finished more than 30 days ahead of that schedule. It is the largest design-build construction project initiated to-date by Georgia DOT. Design-build focuses on combining design and construction activities in order to expedite the traditional design-bid-build process.

“This effort proves that design-build can be successful when applied to the right projects,” Evans said. “Georgia DOT is proud to have played a role in helping to bring new jobs and improved mobility to the area. It is a great day for West Point, Troup County and the entire State of Georgia.”

Opening the interchange and associated Kia Boulevard and Kia Parkway early will make it much easier for new and potential employees to access the training center and the production facility, said Randy Jackson, director of human resources at Kia. “On behalf of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, I would like to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the hard work it took to arrive at this point, on time and accident free,” Jackson said.

With more than 6,000 new jobs expected to be generated through the Kia plant and related automotive suppliers the economic impact of the overall project will be enormous, according to West Point Mayor Drew Ferguson, IV. “We are greatly appreciative of the vision of the Governor and the role the Georgia Department of Transportation has played in getting the project underway and finished so quickly,” Ferguson said. “The quality of work has been outstanding.”

In addition to the interchange, the $80.7 million project includes approximately five miles of new frontage and access roads, two new bridges, improvements to connecting roadways and new traffic signals at various locations. The project was singled out by the U.S. Department of Transportation to receive $1 million in grant funding through the Highways for LIFE program which focuses on improving highway construction projects through the application of innovative approaches to design and construction. This program also made it possible for the entire project to be fully funded by the federal government, saving the State approximately $16 million in traditionally required matching funds.

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Atlanta CIOs Forecast Increase in First-Quarter Hiring

/PRNewswire/ -- A net 8 percent of chief information officers (CIOs) in the Atlanta area expect to hire....More

Duke Study Pinpoints Potential 'Green-Collar' Job Growth in U.S.

During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama proposed an economic plan that would create 5 million jobs in environmental industries. These so-called “green collar” jobs do, in fact, present the next frontier for U.S. manufacturing, says a new report from Duke University.

Highlighting the direct linkages between low-carbon technologies and U.S. jobs, Duke researchers say U.S. manufacturing is poised to grow in a low-carbon economy. Their report, “Manufacturing Climate Solutions,” provides a detailed look at the manufacturing jobs that already exist and would be created when the U.S. takes action to limit global-warming pollution. A copy of the study is available at http://www.cggc.duke.edu/environment/climatesolutions/.

“Until now, there was no tangible evidence of what the jobs are, how they are created and what it means for U.S. workers. We are providing that here,” said Gary Gereffi, a Duke professor of sociology and lead author of the report. “We don’t guess where the jobs are; we name them. Our report uses value chains to show that clean technology jobs are also real economy jobs.”

Led by Gereffi, researchers at Duke’s Center on Globalization, Governance & Competitiveness (CGGC) assess five carbon-reducing technologies with potential for future green job creation: LED lighting, high-performance windows, auxiliary power units for long-haul trucks, concentrating solar power, and Super Soil Systems (a new method for treating hog wastes).

They conclude that hidden economic opportunities exist within the supply chains that provide parts and labor for these five industries. The report includes a snapshot of the opportunities for U.S. manufacturing jobs, with a detailed breakdown of the supply chains and maps highlighting the location of companies positioned to support green jobs. States that stand to benefit most from jobs in these sectors include Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California.

“Meeting the challenge of climate change will ramp up the supply chains that wind their way through the heart of American manufacturing,” said Jackie Roberts, director of sustainable technology at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), one of the report’s sponsors. “It’s concrete evidence of the link between U.S. jobs and climate solutions.”

“While some seek to pit the environment against economic growth, we see economic opportunity in the solutions to the climate crisis,” added Bob Baugh, executive director of the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council, another one of the report’s sponsors. “But, to succeed it means making certain that, from production to construction, these green investments are made in the U.S. That is the best way to assure that their positive ripple effects are felt throughout the entire economy.”

“This report shows that each climate solution creates significant positive ripple effects throughout the economy in the labor and materials needed to supply low carbon technologies and products,” said Abraham Breehey, director of legislative affairs for the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, also a report co-sponsor. “It demonstrates the real economic opportunity in the solutions to the climate crisis.”

The report was sponsored by Environmental Defense Fund, the Building and Construction Trades Department (AFL-CIO), Industrial Union Council (AFL-CIO), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, and United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters.

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Cruise Industry Spending Tops $676 Million, Generates 9,147 Jobs in Georgia in 2007

PRNewswire/ -- The North American cruise industry contributed $676 million in direct spending to the state of Georgia's economy in 2007, a 1.4 percent increase over the previous year according to a recently released study commissioned for Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

This spending, in turn, generated 9,147 jobs paying $437 million in wage income. This represents 3.6 percent of the industry's total U.S. direct expenditures, ranking the state seventh in the nation in terms of cruise industry spending. State business sectors most impacted by the industry's direct spending included: business services and government, $327 million; manufacturing, $177 million; and information services, $63 million.

With no direct cruise operations, Georgia is a major source market for cruise passengers. Resident cruise passengers totaled 337,000, 3.7 percent of U.S. resident passengers. The state also supports the cruise industry with a wide range of goods and services.

"The cruise industry continues to make an impressive contribution to the economic well-being of the country and Georgia plays a significant role as one of the leading beneficiaries of industry spending and job creation," said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA.

The Contribution of the North American Cruise Industry to the U.S. Economy in 2007 study was conducted by Business Research & Economic Advisors (BREA) in Exton, Pa., and analyzes the economic benefits to the U.S. economy from five principal sources: spending by cruise passengers and crew; shoreside staffing by cruise lines in U.S. cities; expenditures by cruise lines for goods and services; U.S. port services; and vessel maintenance and repair.

Among other key Georgia findings:
-- Tourism-related businesses such as tour operators, airlines, hotels,
restaurants and providers of ground transportation were the
beneficiaries of 20 percent of the cruise industry spending, receiving
$134 million.
-- Another $166 million was spent with businesses in the following
sectors: food processors, computer and electronic equipment
manufacturers, advertising agencies, insurance companies and
management and technical consultants in the non-manufacturing sector.
-- Direct expenditures in Georgia also impacted such industries as
telecommunications, financial services, software publishers and
textile and apparel manufacturers.


Nationwide, the North American cruise industry continued to have a significant and growing impact on the U.S. economy in 2007, positively affecting every state in the country. Cruise line and passenger spending generated a total of $38 billion in gross economic output, a 6.4 percent increase over 2006, and generated 354,700 American jobs paying $15.4 billion in wages and salaries. Direct spending by cruise lines, their employees and passengers totaled $18.7 billion.

The full economic study and summary can be downloaded from CLIA's Web site, www.cruising.org .

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News to Use in Fayetteville, Atlanta, Savannah, Peachtree City and all of Georgia

CALLING ALL NURSES, CATH LAB TECHS

Piedmont Hospital is holding a Career Open House for all nurses and cardiac catheterization lab technologists on Sunday, January 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Piedmont Hospital Cafeteria (Collier Café), located on the Mezzanine level of the Hospital’s 77 Building.

“We know providing world-class care means putting the right people in an environment that offers the latest training, education and technology as well as offering flexible schedules,” said Joe Herzberg, VP of Human Resources for Piedmont Hospital. “We do our very best to provide all of that, while maintaining great nurse-to-patient ratios. We welcome all potential employees to become a part of our strong, cooperative team.”

Services at Piedmont Hospital’s Fuqua Heart Center include cardiothoracic surgery, interventional cardiology, endovascular, arrhythmia management, advanced heart failure management, genetic and metabolic preventive therapy and cardiac MR/CT imaging. The Piedmont Heart Institute combines renowned cardiologists and the Fuqua Heart Center of Atlanta at Piedmont Hospital to advance new programs in cardiovascular research, education and excellence in prevention, arrhythmias, coronary and vascular intervention, stroke and cardiac imaging.

The Open House will include hospital tours, raffle and door prizes, giveaways and refreshments. Managers and Human Resources staff will be on hand to share exciting career opportunities. Best parking is in the North Deck; take the Deck elevator and follow signage to the Cafeteria, Mezzanine level, 77 Building. For more information, please contact Pryia Rice at 404-605-2906 or Pryia.Rice@piedmont.org.

Kia now accepting job applications for Georgia auto plant

Governor Sonny Perdue and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia today invited interested Georgians to begin submitting applications for positions at the Kia auto assembly facility currently under construction in West Point, Ga.

“This is a very exciting day, and one we’ve been looking forward to since Kia chose Georgia for its first U.S. plant,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “The positive economic impact of these jobs will affect not only the families of Kia workers and the immediate region, but all of Georgia.”

“Kia is now hiring!” said Byung Mo Ahn, president of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia, Inc. during a press conference held at the Callaway Center on the campus of West Georgia Technical College. “We are looking for the best-qualified candidates to become Kia team members, and encourage all Georgians interested to apply on-line at www.kiajobsingeorgia.com.”

As part of its commitment to hire approximately 2,500 workers for the new plant, Kia will hire members of its production, maintenance and die maintenance teams through an on-line only application process facilitated by the Georgia Department of Labor. Interested applicants will find complete information and instructions at www.KiaJobsinGeorgia.com. Applications must be completed by Feb. 7, 2008, and the company anticipates making preliminary job offers around April 2008.

Prospective applicants can access the Web site from their home computers or from Georgia’s 53 Department of Labor Career Centers, whose personnel have been trained to assist them.
Workforce training will be conducted by the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education’s (DTAE) Quick Start program, which is building a training facility on the Kia site to provide workers with the skills they will need when the plant begins production in 2009.

The Kia facility, its first in the U.S., will eventually produce 300,000 vehicles a year. The economic impact to the state of Georgia is expected to be approximately $4 billion per year, according to a Georgia Tech study commissioned by the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

Major Kia supplier to locate manufacturing facility in LaGrange

Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced that Sewon Precision, a major Kia supplier, will locate its first U.S. plant in LaGrange. The company plans to create 700 jobs and invest $170 million in a facility to manufacture automotive components for the Kia plant in West Point over a three year period.

“Landing a top-tier supplier such as Sewon Precision indicates that communities across West Georgia are continuing to benefit from Kia’s decision to locate in our state,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Suppliers have announced upwards of 2,000 jobs on top of the 2,800 that Kia will bring.”

Sewon Precision, based in Daegu, Korea, will produce stamped chassis and body components as well as some decorative trim pieces for Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia. The company has selected a 65-acre site at the Callaway South Industrial Park in Troup County.

Construction will begin in spring 2008 on the 420,000-square-foot building. The facility is scheduled to go into production in fall 2009.

The Sewon Group, which is the parent company of Sewon Precision, has a more than 20-year history as a Kia supplier in Korea. This will be the company’s first plant in the United States. Governor Perdue met with senior Sewon officials in October during the Kia supplier dinner in Seoul.

“We are looking forward to making LaGrange and Georgia our new home,” said Moon-Ki Kim, CEO and chairman of Sewon Precision Industrial Company Limited. “Sewon Precision is celebrated for its high quality automotive parts and I know we will continue our tradition of excellence here.”

Today Sewon officials and representatives from the Development Authority of LaGrange signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the project.

Mark Lytle was project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

“We are proud to welcome Sewon to LaGrange,” said Diethard Lindner, chairman of the Development Authority of LaGrange. “Sewon is the perfect anchor company for our new 1,200-acre Callaway South Industrial Park in LaGrange. Strong teamwork from the state, the Callaway Foundation, Troup County officials, City of LaGrange officials, the Chamber of Commerce and the Development Authority helped us attract Sewon Precision and we will all benefit from having such a high quality company in our community.”

Since its founding in 1985, Sewon has pursued a business strategy exemplified by management accountability, client confidence in its products and the growth of its business partners. Sewon Co. specializes in the manufacture of automotive parts and ornaments. The company has achieved superior product development and manufacturing technologies through the Six Sigma revolution and productivity enhancement plans.

Governor Announces Cessna expansion in Columbus

Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that Cessna plans to invest up to $24 million to expand its presence in Columbus. Cessna expects to add up to 150 jobs in Columbus over the next five years.

“As Cessna grows in Columbus, it's evident that Georgia is a true power in the aerospace industry,” said Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue. “Our talented workforce and good business climate present distinct advantages in this target industry.”

Wichita-based Cessna broke ground today on a new 100,000 square foot facility on a 40-acre site at the Muscogee Technology Park. Completion is expected by late summer 2008.

Cessna will produce aircraft sub-assemblies and house a metal bonding shop in its new facility. Once the new plant is fully operational, Cessna will have more than 750 employees in Columbus.

“When we came to Columbus in 1996, there were about 70 employees here, and now there are almost 600,”said Ron Alberti, Cessna Senior VP, Supply Chain. “The strength of the workforce and the business climate in Muscogee County provides a terrific environment in which to grow our business, and we expect strong job growth as our business grows.”

“We are excited about Cessna’s growth because of the kind of new jobs they will be creating for our workforce,” said Columbus Mayor Jim Wetherington. “We look forward to continued success and growth.”

Based on unit sales, Cessna Aircraft Company is the world's largest manufacturer of general aviation airplanes. In 2006, Cessna delivered 1,239 aircraft, including 307 Citation business jets, and reported revenues of about $4.2 billion and a backlog of $8.5 billion. Since the company was originally established in 1927, more than 189,000 Cessna airplanes have been delivered to nearly every country in the world. The global fleet of more than 5,000 Citations is the largest fleet of business jets in the world.