A recently announced merger has the power to revolutionize Augusta’s future.
The Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) merger would create America’s first true transcontinental railroad, which would stretch across 43 states and bring nearly every corner of North America within reach. For Augusta, that means stronger connectivity, expanded markets, and new opportunities for growth.
As both the Mayor o f Augusta and small business owner, I see every day how our city’s growth depends on connections between employers and workers, between products and markets, and between Augusta, the state of Georgia, and the nation as a whole. The UP-NS merger would strength those ties, creating a more efficient coast-to-coast supply chain that lowers costs for businesses and families alike. When goods move faster and more reliably by rail, manufacturers save on shipping, businesses avoid delays, and customers benefit from affordable prices.
These efficiencies matter here in Augusta because our city was built on industry. Nearly two centuries ago, the construction of the Augusta Canal transformed us from an agrarian economy to an industrial hub. This legacy continues today, with Augusta-Richmond County ranking sixth in the state for imports and exports through the Port of Savannah. In 2023 alone, Augusta-Richmond County exported $1.2 billion in goods through the Port of Savannah the fastest growing port on the East and Gulf coasts. Local companies like Textron’s E-Z-GO, John Deere, and NutraSweet all depend on reliable transportation networks to get their products to market.
Georgia’s role in the global economy underscores why these connections matter. In 2024, our state ranked 12th among U.S. exporters, with $53.1 billion in goods shipped worldwide a 35% increase over the past decade. Those exports supported an estimated 168,000 jobs, or 6.4 % of state GDP. Behind every one of those numbers is a worker, a family, and a community whose livelihood depends on strong, reliable supply chains. The UP-NS proposal would not only strengthen Georgia’s competitiveness, but also sustain unionized, family- supporting jobs by boosting the competitiveness of freight rail, which increasingly relies on contract labor. Strengthening rail means protecting good jobs and ensuring the people who keep our economy moving can build secure futures.
My leadership has always been guided by three principles: growth, action, and results. Success is not about numbers on a page, it’s about people. And for the people of Augusta, this merger represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to cement our role as a manufacturing leader, connect to new opportunities, and deliver lasting prosperity.
Approving this merger means more than expanding rail lines; it means investing in Augusta’s future, a future where our businesses, workers, and families are positioned to thrive for decades to come.
– Garnett L. Johnson, Mayor of Augusta
