The Keeping Counties Moving: Innovations in Transportation Peer Exchange was held in Chatham County/Savannah, Ga., March 23-24, 2017. Hosted by the National Association of Counties with support from the Federal Highway Administration, Chatham County and the Georgia Ports Authority, the event explored the county role in facilitating freight activities and megaregions planning to promote regional economic competitiveness, using Chatham County and the Piedmont Megaregion as a case study. Topics included the emergence of Megaregions and their connection to local economies, freight transportation planning at the state and regional levels, freight movement, supply chains and national transportation priorities. Attendees also toured the Port of Savannah. Presentations from the event are provided below.
PRESENTATIONS
The Emergence of Megaregions and the Connection to Local Economies
Freight Transportation Planning at the State Level: A Spotlight on Georgia
Tom McQueen, Assistant Administrator of Planning, Georgia Department of Transportation
Regional Freight Transportation Planning: Examples from the Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion
John Orr, Senior Principal Planner, Atlanta Regional Commission
Jessica Hill, Senior Planner, Centralina Council of Governments
Critical Freight Movements: The Chesapeake Megaregion
Thursday Luncheon Keynote Remarks
Marygrace Parker, Freight Mobility, Safety & Security Coordinator, I-95 Corridor Coalition
The Port of Savannah as an Economic Engine
Lee Beckmann, Manager of Government Affairs, Georgia Port Authority
Chris Marsengill, Senior Transportation Engineer, Moffat & Nichol
Freight Planning and Investments in a Post- Panama Canal Expansion Era
Matthew Ubben, Executive Director, Florida Transportation Commission
Ram Kancharla, VP of Planning & Development, Port of Tampa Bay, Fla.
Tom Patton, County Administrator, Crisp County, Ga.
National Priorities and the County Connection
NACo Legislative Update
Kevan Stone, Associate Legislative Director for Transportation & Infrastructure, NACo
Friday Luncheon Keynote Presentation
Hon. John Mica, Congressman, Florida’s 7th Congressional District (1993-2017)
Connected Counties: Integrating Technology into Freight Movement
Hon. Steve Brown, Commissioner, Fayette County, Ga.