We Must Embrace Rivian and the Generational Opportunity Before Us

As a lifelong resident and advocate for Jasper County and our surrounding communities, I am proud that we have successfully recruited Rivian, a leading electric vehicle manufacturer, to our area. I’m proud of this because I know how hard it is to bring in a company that offers so many good-paying jobs for years to come.

Thanks to the decades of planning and hard work by our local Joint Development Authority (JDA) and state leaders, we have a generational opportunity to provide meaningful economic advancement for today and tomorrow.

I have spent my entire life serving the people of our state and the local community. Whether it’s been as Mayor of Monticello, State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency for Georgia, or a State Representative, I know the real value that a facility like Rivian’s will provide to our people.

For years, our state and community leaders, as well as the dedicated volunteers with the JDA, have sought to bring a leading auto maker here.

Because of the foresight and strategic planning of these leaders, we will have an innovative, American company making electric vehicles while also providing significant support to our community for the foreseeable future.

While I believe most people in the JDA’s four-county area of Jasper, Morgan, Newton and Walton are excited about this opportunity, there are some who have made a show in voicing their concerns.

A wide range of issues have been raised— most of which are exaggerated, unfounded or misinformed. It is certainly reasonable to have questions about a development of this scale, but the way to voice those concerns and be effective, is by having civil dialogue with one another.

In my opinion, based on decades of public service, it would be irresponsible to reject an opportunity like the one we have with Rivian. To put things in perspective, the state of Georgia has estimated there are 55,000 jobs tied to the internal combustion engine. With the auto market rapidly changing to become totally electric, this means we need to be planning for the jobs of tomorrow so that all Georgians continue to have opportunities to thrive.

Some people think we don’t need these jobs because we already have record unemployment. That may be true today, but this won’t always be the case. We are enjoying low unemployment right now because our JDA and state leaders rightly chose to be proactive in recruiting leading companies and entire industries here so that we’d have quality job opportunities.

For some people who have enjoyed those opportunities and are now living comfortably in retirement, it’s tempting to dismiss the vital importance of new jobs and investment in our community. However, that temptation is dreadfully short sighted. We must always be focused on creating quality, sustainable jobs and conducting responsible, strategic economic development.

That’s how we’ll continue making Georgia and our local community the best places to live, work, play and raise a family. Don’t we want our families to be able to earn a decent living in the community where they live? I’m a strong supporter of rural and agricultural life. It’s one of the reasons our community is so special. We can have cutting-edge manufacturing jobs and still preserve the character of our community.

It is time we embrace this critical opportunity we have before us so that our families can thrive. Helping our neighbors live the American Dream in Georgia has been my life’s work. I am humbled by the gift my neighbors have given me by allowing me to serve you all these years. It’s a dream come true to end my career in public service knowing that we will have sustainable economic opportunity for the people of our community and Georgia.