Category: Brian Strickland

ATLANTA (July 19, 2024) — Today, Sen. Brian Strickland (R–McDonough) issued a statement commending Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) for their leadership and commitment to increasing the ease of transportation in Henry County:

“I am happy to announce that the Georgia Department of Transportation has allocated $10 million in funding to begin the process of adding two new lanes to our express lanes in Henry County. This funding will initiate the engineering work required for this project, ultimately leading to the end of the reversible express lanes and providing access for travel in two lanes, in both directions, at all times. These funds are part of the historic investment Gov. Kemp and the Legislature included in the state budget this year for infrastructure projects in our state. Everyone who travels through Henry County knows the challenges of Interstate 75. I commend the governor and the Georgia Department of Transportation for listening to the concerns we have expressed and making this investment in state funds to this region.”

In addition to the $10 million funding for Henry County, the $1.5 billion surplus allocated to improve state infrastructure will fund projects such as airport aid, local roads funding, capital maintenance, a new freight program to improve freight infrastructure efficiency, and capital construction.

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Sen. Brian Strickland serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. He represents the 17th Senate District, which includes all of Morgan and portions of Henry, Newton, and Walton County. Sen. Strickland may be reached by phone at 404.463.6598 or email at brian.strickland@senate.ga.gov.

ATLANTA (May 15, 2024) — In a significant development for agricultural education and outreach in Georgia, the T.M. “Mort” Ewing Newton County Agricultural Center is set to receive a substantial boost of $500,000.00 in funding, obtained through the dedicated efforts of Sen. Brian Strickland (R–McDonough) and incorporated into the Amended Fiscal Year 2024 budget signed by Governor Brian P. Kemp last week. This allocation marks a pivotal moment for the advancement of agricultural initiatives in the region.

Expressing enthusiasm for the investment, Sen. Strickland, remarked, “I am proud of our continued efforts to invest in educating the next generation about the importance of agriculture in our state. Every year thousands of people experience this industry directly through our FFA Camp and the Newton County Agricultural Center and, for many, this is the only first-hand experience they get with Georgia’s number one industry. This funding continues to show our commitment at the state level to these facilities and to the work being done on the ground right here in Newton County.”

Named in honor of Mort Ewing, a distinguished figure in Georgia’s agricultural landscape, the center holds deep significance for the community. Ewing, reflecting on the impact of his time as a member of the National FFA Organization, shared, “I joined the FFA Organization 72 years ago when I started the 9th grade. It was one of the best decisions of my lifetime. I have remained active in the organization as an FFA alumni member. The FFA organization and the State FFA Camp still mean a lot to me as a Newton County farmer. I am very pleased Senator Strickland has secured some additional funding for the Newton County Agricultural Center. We will utilize the funds to enhance the services available through the Center.”

Additionally, Georgia Commissioner of Agriculture, Tyler Harper, lauded the allocation, stating, “Investing in the next generation of leaders in our state is vital to ensure the continued success of Georgia’s #1 industry and our state as a whole, and I’m grateful for the work and commitment of Senator Strickland and the entire General Assembly to do just that. This investment in Newton County will go a long way to ensure the success of agriculture and the students utilizing these facilities, and it’s critical that we continue making investments in our agricultural facilities like this one that positively impact thousands of Georgia students every year. I look forward to continuing our work with Sen. Strickland and the General Assembly to advance Georgia agriculture and expand opportunities in agriculture for students across Georgia.”

The infusion of funds will facilitate essential upgrades and expansions at the Newton County Agricultural Center, ensuring its continued role as a hub for agricultural education, innovation, and community engagement.

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Sen. Brian Strickland serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. He represents the 17th Senate District which includes all of Morgan and portions of Henry, Newton and Walton County. Sen. Strickland may be reached by phone at 404.463.6598 or by email at brian.strickland@senate.ga.gov.

ATLANTA (April 10, 2024) — Sen. Brian Strickland (R–McDonough) issued a statement today commending the collaborative effort between the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and Norfolk Southern Corporation to address train stoppages in McDonough and Locust Grove, Henry County.

“I commend GDOT and Norfolk Southern for hearing the concerns our community raised about trains blocking intersections in McDonough and Locust Grove over the past couple of years,” said Sen. Strickland. “Last year, we joined with Norfolk Southern and announced a temporary fix where longer trains were relocated to another track. However, this new siding will create a long-term solution by allowing space for trains to pace while traffic flows through Henry County.”

GDOT recently announced a partnership with Norfolk Southern Corporation to fund freight rail improvements in Henry County. Norfolk Southern received an $8.4 million grant for their McDonough passing track improvement project, as part of the newly created Georgia Freight Rail Program. The project, estimated to cost $21 million in total, aims to more than double the current rail length on Norfolk Southern’s Atlanta South District passing track, connecting Macon and Atlanta in Henry County.

This initiative is a crucial step towards enhancing the efficiency of the freight rail corridor, connecting the Georgia Port Authority Garden City Terminal and the metro Atlanta area. By expanding the rail length, the project is expected to reduce road crossings blocked by trains, contributing to improved traffic flow and safety in the region.

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Sen. Brian Strickland serves as the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary. He represents the 17th Senate District which includes all of Morgan and portions of Henry, Newton and Walton County. Sen. Strickland may be reached by phone at 404.463.6598 or by email at brian.strickland@senate.ga.gov.