Rivian Project Planning Committee Announced
Friday, March 18th, 2022
On March 14th, the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced the makeup of the four committees being established to ensure public input into a variety of factors involved in the planning stages of the carbon-conscious campus for the 7,500-job Rivian project at Stanton Springs North. Local and state committee members represent a wide cross-section of all four Joint Development Authority (JDA) counties, and volunteered or agreed to serve in this capacity. Meetings are being planned for each of the committees within the Jasper, Morgan, Newton, and Walton county area for ease of planning and public input. Information regarding the dates and location of meetings will be available at: www.georgia.org/rivian. Each committee will have a designated official staff coordinator and assistants, along with a representative from Rivian participating. At the conclusion of committee meetings, recommendations will be developed by the committees and reported to the State of Georgia and Rivian.
This committee approach will ensure direct coordination of considerations from across multiple jurisdictions and land parcels, and the public feedback process will allow all communities to have a voice across the decision-making process. The state has committed to continuously work with city and county governments to ensure that every concern is heard, and every question is answered.
1. Workforce Development
Mission Statement: To meet current and future workforce needs for Rivian and other existing industries as well as for future prospects within the region. To effectively plan for future workforce growth and demand and address key issues like wages, in-demand careers, and industry trends with input from the private sector. To coordinate with K-12 systems, the University System of Georgia, and the Technical College System of Georgia to identify necessary training programs are in place and a sufficient pipeline of future workers will exist to meet industry needs.
Staff lead: Mark Peevy, Assistant Commissioner, External Affairs and Facilities, Technical College System of Georgia
Assistant: Asher Dozier, Vice President of Economic Development, Newton County Industrial Development Authority
Members:
Buds Cain, Director, Foothills Academy
Dr. Virgil Cole, Superintendent, Morgan County Schools
Nathan Franklin, Ed.D., Superintendent, Walton County Schools
Samantha Fuhrey, Ed.S., Superintendent, Newton County Schools
C. Kenny Garland, Ed.S., Superintendent, Jasper County Schools
Douglas A. Hicks, Dean, Oxford College of Emory University
Dr. Robbie Hooker, Superintendent, Social Circle School System
Weyman Hunt, Owner, Godfrey’s Feed
Kathryn Loofofsky, Regional Coordinator, Region 5, Georgia Department of Labor
Scott McMurray, Assistant Commissioner / COO, Georgia Quick Start
Dessa Morris, Workforce Development Director, Development Authority of Walton County
Representative Bruce Williamson, R-Georgia House District 115
2. Local Business Engagement
Mission Statement: To identify and engage local businesses with the opportunity to provide goods and services from Rivian and its suppliers. Such opportunities include those provided directly from Rivian, as well as indirect opportunities resulting from Rivian’s location (i.e. suppliers, indirect demands like housing and retail).
Staff lead: Hank Evans, Director, Project Implementation and Corporate Development, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Assistant: Naceo Denney, Area Manager, Georgia Power
Members:
Representative Dave Belton, R-House District 112
Andrea Malcom Campbell, Sales Executive REALTOR, Malcom & Malcom Realty
Ron Carter, Regional Visitor Information Center Coordinator, City of Covington
Shey Daniel, Manager, Morgan County Chamber of Commerce
Debbie Harper, President, Newton County Chamber of Commerce
Gregg Simon, Senior VP of Project & Partner Development, Economic Development, Metro Atlanta Chamber
Teri Smiley, President, Walton County Chamber of Commerce
Mandi Tanner, President/Executive Director, Jasper County Chamber of Commerce
3. Site Design and Environmental
Mission Statement: To have subject matter experts provide feedback to ensure that Rivian’s site and operation meets requisite State, Federal, and local ordinances to protect the environment and communities. To provide feedback on site design such that design and operation maximize positive impacts on the community and minimize any negative impacts.
Staff lead: John Eunice, Deputy Director, Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Assistant: Charna Parker, Director, Walton County Planning and Development
Members:
James Boylan, Assistant Branch Chief, Air Protection Branch, Georgia Environmental Protection Division Ed Hutter, Vice President, Hutter & Associates LLC
Chuck Jarrell, Director, Morgan County Planning Department
Betty Jean Jordan, PE, Owner, Polyscape, LLC
Barbara Schlageter, Planning and Zoning Administrator, City of Social Circle
Anna Truszczynski, Branch Chief, Watershed Protection Branch, Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Randy Vinson, President, Live/Work Building Co. LLC
4. Quality of Life
Mission Statement: To identify opportunities for Rivian to participate in local civic engagement and other public benefits that will positively impact the local communities. To identify opportunities locally and across the State of Georgia for land conservation initiatives.
Subcommittees: Civic Engagement, Public Benefits, Land Conservation
Staff lead: Rusty Haygood, Deputy Commissioner, Community Development & Finance, Georgia
Department of Community Affairs
Civic Engagement:
Assistant: Kristen Miller, Senior Regional Director, Georgia Department of Economic Development
Members:
Joellen Artz, Retired Citizen
Pastor Lonnie Brown, President, Morgan County NAACP
Ned Butler, Vice President of Land Development, Reliant Homes Representative Susan Holmes, R-House District 125
Cindy Little, Executive Director, F.I.S.H.
Stephen Morris, Attorney, Morris Law LLC
Public Benefits:
Assistant: Beth Eavenson, Regional Representative, Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Members:
Mayor Bruce Altznauer, City of Rutledge Lisa Anderson, Small Business Owner
Mayor David Keener, City of Social Circle David Kent, CEO, Piedmont Newton Hospital Mayor Fred Perriman, City of Madison
Land Conservation:
Assistant: Rope Roberts, Northeast Region Economic Development Manager, Georgia Power
Members:
Doc Eldridge, Former CEO, Athens Chamber; Former City of Athens Mayor; Twin Lakes Recovery Center Board Member
David Hays, Board Member, Georgia Water & Soil Conservation District, Upper Ocmulgee River
Thom Litts, Assistant Director, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources Robert Trulock, President, Madison-Morgan Conservancy
Christine McCauley Watts, Executive Director, Madison-Morgan Conservancy Mike Worley, President and CEO, Georgia Wildlife Federation
