The Georgia House of Representatives’ Blue-Ribbon Study Committee on Transportation Infrastructure and Vehicle Regulation held its final meeting of the year in Savannah last week, giving several Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce members the opportunity to discuss both opportunities and challenges facing the transportation sector with committee members.

Frank Peeples of Peeples Industries gave the committee an in-depth overview of how his family-owned business has innovated and adapted as markets have evolved over the years. Committee members specifically asked Peeples for his thoughts on ways to lower the cost of construction materials.

“More flexibility in what materials qualify for use in state transportation projects would help take advantage of market shifts,” Peeples said. “Our neighboring states already do this, so that’s a change that’s been implemented already and would have a pretty immediate impact.”

Lee Beckmann with the Georgia Ports Authority provided an update on GPA’s economic impact, expansion plans, and current market conditions.

Both Peeples Industries and GPA hosted committee members for facility tours on Friday morning.

Justin Strickland with OmniTRAX thanked the legislature for its support of short-line railroads and provided an overview of OmniTRAX’s rail lines and developable land available in Georgia, including opportunities in our region, specifically in Effingham County.

Bert Brantley, President & CEO of the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, provided welcoming remarks to the committee and invited legislators to a reception and dinner hosted by several local and statewide sponsors.

“Any time a state legislative study committee comes to Savannah, we want to make sure the legislators have a chance to meet our Chamber members and see firsthand how their support for our region leads to even more private investment,” Brantley said.