Senator representatives tour SGTC as part of Explore Sumter Tour

August 23, 2024
Americus Police Chief Mark Scott, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amber Batchelor, SGTC Economic Development Director Paul Farr, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s Senior Legislative representative Alyse Wolf and Samantha Lucas, are shown above with SGTC President Dr. John Watford, Carla Hawkins, Interim CEO for Sumter County Chamber, and Quaijuan Willis, Director of the Americus Downtown Development Authority.
Americus Police Chief Mark Scott, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amber Batchelor, SGTC Economic Development Director Paul Farr, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s Senior Legislative representative Alyse Wolf and Samantha Lucas, are shown above with SGTC President Dr. John Watford, Carla Hawkins, Interim CEO for Sumter County Chamber, and Quaijuan Willis, Director of the Americus Downtown Development Authority.

   South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford hosted a portion of the Explore Sumter Legislative Tour of the Town sponsored by the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce recently.  Senior legislative staff from Senator Jon Ossoff’s office participated in the tour that featured South Georgia Technical College, Sumter County Schools, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Georgia Southwestern State University, JDS Manufacturing Advantage Plus USA, and Plains, as well as Wolf Creek Winery, 13th Colony Distillery, Horne Pecan, and Campesino Coffee Organic Roastery.

    The Explore Sumter Legislative Tour of the Town was a result of the Sumter County Chamber of Commerce’s trips to Washington, D.C to discuss workforce development projects for Sumter County.  Senator Jon Ossoff’s senior legislative staffers were impressed by Sumter County’s community profile.  They reached out to visit the county as part of a South Georgia visit.

   Samantha Lucas, Legislative Assistant for Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff from Washington, DC, and Alyse Wolf, Regional Outreach Coordinator for Senator Ossoff, participated in the tour along with Sumter County Chamber of Commerce Officials, SGTC President Dr. John Watford, Sumter County Schools Superintendent Walter Knighton, Friends of Jimmy Carter Executive Director Kim Carter Fuller, Kim and Amy Greene of Plains Peanuts Food Manufacturing, and GSW President Dr. Michelle Johnston and Provost Dr. Jill Drake.

   The event began with a luncheon sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce at 1800 Mexican Restaurant in downtown Americus.  The official tour kicked off with a tour of the future site of the Center for Innovation & Prosperity hosted by Sumter County Schools Superintendent Walter Knighton and a tour of South Georgia Technical College with President Dr. John Watford.

   The group left SGTC to tour Plains and meet with Friends of Jimmy Carter Executive Director Kim Carter Fuller and Ken and Amy Greene of Plains Peanuts Food Manufacturing.  After touring Plains, the Chamber group returned to Americus to do a driving tour of Phoebe Sumter Medical Center, Georgia Southwestern State University, JD Manufacturing as well as Wolf Creek Winery, 13th Colony Distillery, Horne Pecan and Campesino Coffee Organic Roastery in downtown Americus.