Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson (pictured to the left of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp)called the just-concluded Red Carpet Tour the” icing on top“ for the hard-working economic leaders charged with bringing new companies to Augusta.
He points to past success.
“That is the hook, he told ABD from Thursday’s event near the Masters tournament.
If you look around the city at some of our notable employers, whether it be Aurubis Richmond, which was one of our newest investments, or GF Castings (under construction in the Augusta Corporate Park), they came here to look at our community to see if we had the workforce and the available infrastructure. And many have invested in Augusta.”
The 65th annual Red Carpet Tour(RCT) sponsored by the Georgia and Metro Augusta Chambers of Commerce wrapped up Saturday with a second stop at the Masters tournament.
Local and state economic development leaders hope businesses from around the world will keep Metro Augusta in mind beyond the golf course.
District 9 Commissioner Francine Scott echoed the governor’s comment about the uniqueness Augusta represents in bringing business leaders to invest in Richmond County.
“This is my fifth year coming because of being on the commission,” she said. “Every year I find a unique person that I can talk to, and then the next year I’ll see them again. Just showcasing Augusta is something that we need to do, something that I don’t think we do enough of, but Red Carpet is, to me, to kick off a showcase in Augusta.”
The tour first visited Augusta on Thursday, with Gov. Brian Kemp (R) greeting international business leaders. In a private reception, Kemp welcomed the visitors for what was his final time, as his term ends. He said the visit to The Masters is something unique.
Guests on the tour are escorted by volunteer hosts from across the Metro Augusta region representing business, government, non-government organizations, and educational leadership. Fort Gordon also participates, with Garrison Commander Col. Anthony Kazor speaking at the welcoming ceremony.
Dr. Tom Clark, Executive Director of the Alliance for Fort Gordon, has long been one of the hosts.
Clark retired from the U.S. Army as a Command Sergeant Major prior to joining the Alliance.
Recently, he was selected as one of the most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine.
He said the guests can network with local leaders and leave with a clear picture of Augusta.
“More and more companies see what we can offer with our low cost of living, Southern charm, and friendly atmosphere in businesses that like to work together,” he explained, adding the guests also learn the impact the fort, Augusta’s largest employer, has on the community, providing both potential employees and customer base.
“There are 34,000 men and women who defend freedom in the American way of life, less than 10 miles from the gates of the Masters,” he said. “Plus having 120,000 military retirees and their families and people who work on the installation associated with the post.”
Johnson said growing the region’s economic base has another benefit. Creating jobs gives local people the opportunity to stay close to home while having a successful career.
The long term impact has been job creation. It has been an investment in growing our tax base. It has been in workforce development,” he said. “We have a thriving community where we always encourage young folks to go off to college, but never fear that there’s not great employment for them if they should want to move back to Augusta or back to this region. The red carpet tour certainly gives us the ability to tout that, and we’ve been very successful in that.”
Johnson added that the city is fortunate to host RCT, but it is not a one-and-done in the push to attract new business.
“We also have a great local Augusta Economic Development Authority, as well as the Georgia Department of Economic Development,” he said. “Throughout the year, we’re vigorously recruiting and attracting those opportunities to Augusta. The Masters and the Red Carpet event is just what I consider the icing on the top. But we’re working hard the other 50 weeks of the year to make sure that we’re promoting Augusta.”
