Local Issues
The Chamber stays very close to our local elected officials and key staff. Please see below for a listing of some of the key local issues that the Chamber is currently working on:Transportation:
- East/West: Move the DeRenne area improvement solution(s) from the ‘study’ stage to the engineering and implementation stage.
- Reframe the community debate to what is best for the whole community, rather than the ‘not-in-my-backyard’ debate of today.
- Build on the vision of the completed project garnering support for the known rather than allowing people to play upon the fear of the unknown.
Bay Street:
- Implement a short-term plan to slow traffic and improve safety.
- Develop and agreed upon long-term plan to reduce truck traffic.
Regional Planning:
- Develop a plan to begin the process of multi-county transportation planning at the County level.
- I-16/I-95 Lighting: Develop funding support to better light and make the intersection safer.
Parking:
- Evaluate meter time adjustments to allow for business meetings of 60 minutes (i.e. 90 minute meters)
- Evaluate broader use of credit or transportation payment cards at meters
Housing:
- Work with the Housing Authority of Savannah to improve the quality, availability and affordability of assisted housing
- Assist Director with Board development
- Continue down town master plan involvement to assure affordable, yet safe and quality housing remains available
Public Safety:
- Develop a Public Safety Compact with agreed upon safety measurements coupled with specific areas of business community support
- Work though needed areas of refinement to assure the continued success of the Police Merger
- Monitor CNT management and leadership to assure the most effective structure for the community.
- Work to install cameras in high-crime areas and through the Squares as soon as possible. Phase II, augment lighting as necessary.
Inspections and Permitting:
- Continue refinement of City processes and engage in new site location evaluation to assure accessibility. In association with SEDA
- Monitor staffing and retention/vacancies to assure personnel adequate to meet demand
Focus on county services to improve customer satisfaction and reduce processing time. Develop recommendations by 3rd Quarter.
SPLOST / ESPLOST
- Create an every-6- month reporting system
- Monitor and report on every project
- Encourage other groups’ promotion of projects value and importance
- Grow meaningful participation by minority and local businesses
- Coordinate minority business certification among City, County and School System.
- Evaluate assistance of GMSDC (Georgia Minority Supplier and Development Council)
- Advocate and Monitor “Paid For By SPLOST/ESPLOST” signage at every project site.
Waste Disposal:
- Assist the City in developing the most efficient and cost effective long-range plan to dispose of waste.
- Assure commercial users costs balanced with residential users and cost competitive within the Southeast.
Legislative Lobbing:
- Utilizing the Government Affairs Council, develop State and Federal Legislative Agendas that represent the Savannah Area business community needs.
- Conduct lobbing events and visits as necessary, including Savannah/Chatham Day in Atlanta and the Washington Mission
PAC (Savannah Area Business Political Action Committee)
- Assure funding and volunteer leadership involvement to engage in City, County, School and State races as necessary, assuring business interests are represented in public offices
Enter all or part of the business name
101 East Bay Street, Savannah, GA 31401 | 912-644-6400