The Metro Augusta and Georgia Chambers of Commerce are once again able to show off the CSRA and the state to business leaders they hope will bring their companies to Georgia.
This is the 60th edition of the Red Carpet Tour, a landmark that should have been reached in 2020, but it was not held that year or in 2021 because of COVID-19.
“I think this is an incredible opportunity for us to after two years of dealing with the global pandemic, to finally see people from across the world connect to our city. I’m excited,” said Mayor Hardie Davis Jr.
Drawn by the Masters Tournament, it is also an opportunity for the businessmen and women to learn what the CSRA can offer for their companies and their families.
Two buses filled with visitors arrived at the Chamber’s hospitality tent on Washington Road at Magnolia Drive. Hosts from local businesses, Fort Gordon and elected officials from Richmond, Columbia and Burke counties lined up to welcome the guests.
Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan told the assembled business leaders that Georgia is a great place to raise their families and run their companies.
“We’re making the investments in the right places in the state, in the ports and the education system and the transportation and public safety,” he said. “We just finished the legislative session that really was jam packed with a lot of really, really important things for 11 million Georgians to be able to succeed. So, thank you so much as you consider this great state as you’re trying to grow your business.”
In the two years since the last Red Carpet Tour, one of the most active growth areas has been in cybersecurity and the cyber community as a whole.
Brig. Gen. Paul Stanton, Fort Gordon’s commanding general, encouraged attendees to look at the Georgia Cyber Center while in Augusta, calling it a great partnership between the cyber industry, academia and government officials.
“On Fort Gordon, we have the mission to train and educate our signal, cyber, electronic warfare and military intelligence soldiers. We are also home to the National Security Agency,” he said. “If you’re watching what’s happening in the news, and you recognize what’s happening in Ukraine, there are soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines 10 miles from here that are holding the line, that are working 24/7/365.”
Brittany Young, Chief Operating Officer, Georgia Department of Economic Development, agreed the cyber industry is an important selling point to attract new businesses to the Peach State.
“Cybersecurity is a huge industry that we like to support in the state not only from a workforce standpoint, and you’ve seen that with the state’s investment in the cyber center, and downtown Augusta but also the connection with Atlanta,” she said.
The tour will spend Thursday night in Augusta. On Friday, the group will travel to Savannah for morning business sessions. They return to Augusta Saturday with a second visit to the Masters Tournament.
Dana Lynn McIntyre is a general assignment reporter for The Augusta Press. Reach her at dana@theaugustapress.com
