The City of Richmond Hill and the Richmond Hill-Bryan County Chamber of Commerce hosted the 10th annual Georgia Cities Week Business Breakfast on Monday at the Richmond Hill City Center.
The topic of the morning was the growth and business of cities in coastal Georgia, and Billy Trapnell, mayor of Metter, spoke at the event.
Richmond Hill Mayor Howard Fowler and Hinesville Mayor James Thomas were also in attendance.
Trapnell, who sits on the Georgia Municipal Association’s board of directors, discussed the importance of effective partnerships between state and local governments. “When city and state governments work together as partners, we can make things happen. We have to work together to provide the resources our residents demand at prices they can afford.”
Trapnell paid particular attention to Georgia’s infrastructure, which he believes to be in poor condition. He insisted that government at both the state and city level must collaborate to allow cities more local control. To support this, he cited an instance in which Atlanta dramatically improved its wastewater infrastructure, in part due to a one-cent sales tax increase. “All cities in Georgia should have this ability, not just Atlanta,” he said.
In reference to the recent economic crisis, Trapnell applauded the cities of Georgia for their fortitude and offered words of hope.
“Our cities have endured tough times, but those tough times have spawned efficiencies and innovations that will serve us well in the future,” he said.
The business breakfast was one of Richmond Hill’s first events intended to celebrate Georgia Cities week, a statewide initiative that offers cities the opportunity to reach out to their citizens during the week of April 18-24.
Nearly 80 people attended the event, and Jan Bass, Richmond Hill's director of community development, was pleased with both the turnout and the new city center. “This is the largest turnout in years. I assume a lot of it has to do with the facility.”
The topic of the morning was the growth and business of cities in coastal Georgia, and Billy Trapnell, mayor of Metter, spoke at the event.
Richmond Hill Mayor Howard Fowler and Hinesville Mayor James Thomas were also in attendance.
Trapnell, who sits on the Georgia Municipal Association’s board of directors, discussed the importance of effective partnerships between state and local governments. “When city and state governments work together as partners, we can make things happen. We have to work together to provide the resources our residents demand at prices they can afford.”
Trapnell paid particular attention to Georgia’s infrastructure, which he believes to be in poor condition. He insisted that government at both the state and city level must collaborate to allow cities more local control. To support this, he cited an instance in which Atlanta dramatically improved its wastewater infrastructure, in part due to a one-cent sales tax increase. “All cities in Georgia should have this ability, not just Atlanta,” he said.
In reference to the recent economic crisis, Trapnell applauded the cities of Georgia for their fortitude and offered words of hope.
“Our cities have endured tough times, but those tough times have spawned efficiencies and innovations that will serve us well in the future,” he said.
The business breakfast was one of Richmond Hill’s first events intended to celebrate Georgia Cities week, a statewide initiative that offers cities the opportunity to reach out to their citizens during the week of April 18-24.
Nearly 80 people attended the event, and Jan Bass, Richmond Hill's director of community development, was pleased with both the turnout and the new city center. “This is the largest turnout in years. I assume a lot of it has to do with the facility.”