Greater Rome chamber directors endorse T-SPLOST on July 31 ballot

Media release: The Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors announce unanimous support for the State of Georgia Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) set to vote on July 31st.

The collected revenue will fund numerous projects that are critical to Rome and Floyd County: the widening of GA 140 from GA 53 to Interstate 75, The widening of GA 101 between East 12th Street and US 278, and the US 411 to Interstate 75 Connector Route D-VE. These projects are considered to be economic development projects which support the improvements in transportation infrastructure necessary for economic growth in our community.

All of the money collected for Northwest Georgia must be spent in Northwest Georgia with 75% of the money going toward the designated projects and 25% going to local municipalities for use within the community.

The T-SPLOST will provide nearly $1.5 billion in transportation-related revenue for Northwest Georgia and over 40,000 new jobs. 25-percent of the collected revenue will also be designated for discretionary spending by the local communities to utilize for transportation projects deemed necessary. Georgia is the third fastest growing state in the nation, but is 49th per capita in transportation spending. It will begin in 2012 and run until 2023.

"The T-SPLOST will create jobs for Rome, Floyd County and Northwest Georgia, and it will provide much needed transportation routes for our citizens and existing industry," said Transportation Committee Chairman Chip Hood, For Evergreen Landscaping.

The US 411 to Interstate 75 Connector Route D-VE has been a project the community has waited on since 1977. This route is crucial to existing industry and new industry.

"Not having a direct connection to Interstate 75 has cost this community countless jobs over the last four decades," said Chairman of the Board Angie Lewis, Citizens First Bank, a division of Synovus. "If we do not support this tax, we can add another ten more years to the wait for more jobs and greater economic growth."

"Having the proper transportation, including a direct link to I-75 is vital to our community's success," said David Newby, General Manager, Profile Extrusion Company and former Chairman of the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce.

For more information on T-SPLOST projects and local impact, visit www.ConnectGeorgia2012.com.