This article is part of a continuing series of posts on the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s council groups. Learn more about the Chamber’s work by exploring these leadership councils and the impact they have on the metro region.
This article is part of a continuing series of posts on the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s council groups. Learn more about the Chamber’s work by exploring these leadership councils and the impact they have on the metro region.
The connectivity provided by Georgia’s infrastructure offers our region a competitive advantage when companies choose to connect by air, land and sea. With industry leaders such as UPS, Delta Air Lines and Manhattan Associates calling Atlanta home, it is critical that our region’s thought leaders focus on identifying innovative solutions that sustain the growth of Georgia’s global economy.
With infrastructure assets that include the world’s most traveled airport, North America’s most efficient seaport, more rail miles than any other state in the Southeast and 80 percent of the U.S. population within a two-day truck drive – the Metro Atlanta Chamber’s Infrastructure Council provides the platform to identify reliable resources and advocate for policies that ensure our region remains a world-class leader in infrastructure investment and sustainable business practices.
Chaired by global leaders that include Kevin Yates, president, Siemens, and Dan Hendrix, chairman, Interface Inc., MAC’s Infrastructure Council held their third quarter meeting to discuss metro Atlanta’s transit future and receive an update on the state of energy infrastructure from MAC Board of Director Paul Bowers, chairman, president and CEO, Georgia Power.
Infrastructure modernization must remain a priority. This includes embracing sustainability initiatives, implementing new customer service technologies and utilizing data gathered by many of today’s connected devices. In a 10-year span, Georgia’s energy mix evolved from 74 percent coal and 6.2 percent gas to 29 percent coal and 47 percent gas. As the fifth largest solar state in America, customers are becoming more energy efficient citizens and expecting businesses to take the same conscious approach.
As conversation transitioned from the state of energy infrastructure to transit expansion, council attendees had a chance to hear representatives from MARTA, Gwinnett County Commission, City of Alpharetta and GDOT on the topic of mobility and partnerships. With the metro region seeing substantial growth, Atlanta has reached a historic point in conversation around expansion, funding and technology improvements. It is a critical time for both businesses and citizens to stay informed on policy efforts that will shape future mobility of our region.
In partnership with many organizations throughout the region, MAC’s Infrastructure Council works to elevate conversation with policymakers and business leaders that will ensure Georgia continues to thrive as a global region. Please visit our events page for more information on our council meetings.
If you have any questions on how your organization can engage with MAC, please reach out to Jack Murphy.