ATLANTA (May 4, 2011) – State Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) has been selected as an influential leader to participate in the Atlanta Regional Commission’s LINK (Leadership Involvement Networking Knowledge) seminar in Seattle, Washington. The LINK Program is intended to facilitate a relationship between Georgia leaders and their counterparts in Washington regarding common issues.
“This is a great opportunity to see how other regions, similar to Metro Atlanta, manage some of the same issues we face,” said Senator Rogers. “Job creation and transportation have a major impact on our economy and I look forward to discussing solutions that have worked for Seattle and ideas that may not have worked. It’s important to receive experienced input as we grow Georgia’s economy and move our state forward.”
Along with facilitating communication with Washington counterparts, the LINK program will provide the opportunity for local leaders to share ideas about how to solve challenges or create new opportunities for the Atlanta region. The program location was chosen because Metro Seattle has faced similar issues as Georgia including explosive growth, a lack of transportation infrastructure and financing, and a lagging K-12 education system. Leaders will discuss how the Washington community addressed these issues with sustainable solutions.
Among other activities, Sen. Rogers will visit the McKinstry Innovation Center, which houses companies focused on different clean energy sectors. The center brings new and emerging companies together to advance cooperation in green energy technologies.
The ARC organizes the LINK program and is the regional planning and intergovernmental coordination agency for the 10-county area including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry and Rockdale counties, as well as the City of Atlanta. Recent LINK programs have resulted in the implementation of initiatives from around the nation including the Metropolitan Atlanta Mayors Association and the Consultation for Transportation Investment Act campaign.
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
May 4, 2011
For Information Contact:
Natalie Strong, Director
Katie Wright, Communications Manager
katie.wright@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028