Gwinnett Chamber Hosting Transportation Forum

As the July 31 vote on TSPLOST nears, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce is hosting a State of Transportation Forum on mobility needs from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday, July 19, at the in Duluth.

The forum will feature an update on Georgia’s mobility needs from state transportation officials followed by a presentation by business leaders on the impact of mobility their bottom-line, according to a press release issued by the chamber.

The forum is being presented by Snellville-based E.R. Snell Contractor Inc. Partnering with the Gwinnett Chamber in hosting the forum are the Cobb Chamber, Council for Quality Growth, DeKalb Chamber, Georgia Transportation Alliance, Metro Atlanta Chamber, North Fulton Chamber and Regional Business Coalition of Metro Atlanta.

Transportation officials scheduled to speak at the forum include Todd Long, deputy commissioner, Georgia Department of Transportation; Louis Miller, Aviation general manager, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport; and Griff Lynch, COO, Georgia Ports Authority.

The transportation update, titled “Making the Connection,” will be moderated by Doug Callaway of the Georgia Transportation Alliance.

Following this session, business leaders will participate in “Transportation Means Business” moderated by Terry Lawler, Regional Business Coalition of Metro Atlanta.

Business speakers include Tom Bell, chairman, Mesa Capital Partners; Rawson Haverty Jr., senior vice president, Real Estate and Development, Havertys; Todd Henry, operations manager, Caterpillar Inc.; and Dave Stockert, president/CEO, Post Properties.

Gwinnett County residents and voters across metro Atlanta will decide on a one-cent sales tax to fund transportation improvements on July 31. If passed, the referendum will provide an estimated $8.5 billion to fund 157 projects. Gwinnett would receive 15 percent of the funds raised in the county, representing $178 million over 10 years, for local projects. For more information, visit UntieAtlanta.com and gwinnettcounty.com. 

“The July 31 vote for the Regional Transportation Referendum is paramount to the continued success of not just Gwinnett, but metro Atlanta and the entire state of Georgia. With this vote, we have the opportunity to make history by giving a much needed injection to the economic recovery and ensuring prosperity for generations to come,” said Jim Maran, president/ CEO of the Gwinnett Chamber, in the press release. “I encourage the citizens of Gwinnett and metro Atlanta to join the Gwinnett Chamber and our regional partners in voting yes for less traffic, more jobs and a stronger economy.”

The cost to attend the forum is $35 for chamber members and $45 for non-members. To register, visit www.gwinnettchamber.org/events.