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Rep. John Corbett
O’Steen said the group is in the planning process of a new program that will bene t the young single airmen.
“This will be an opportunity for the community to reach out to young airmen,” O’Steen said. “We want them to know we are here for them.”
Georgia’s Military Commitment
With an annual economic impact
of almost $20 billion, Georgia ranks fth in the U.S. for total Department of Defense (DOD) military, civilian direct-hire, reserve, and National Guard employment.
In 2016, the Georgia House of Representative assembled the House Study Committee on Military A airs. The committee was comprised of
15 state representatives, and six meetings took place across the state. Committee members heard testimony from local o cials, military personnel, and other stakeholders regarding Georgia’s nine military installations.
According to the nal report, four categories emerged as areas for further assessment
and implementation—education, legislative, planning, and infrastructure and encroachment.
Rep. John Corbett (R-Lake Park) served on the military a airs study committee and said that for Moody his area of concern focused on education and quality of life.
“Military families move every few years,” Corbett said. “So the children are constantly moving to a di erent school and courses may not transfer.”
The committee speci cally addressed this issue and made the recommendation for a statewide school choice program for military children.
“Through the school choice program local school systems would allow children of active duty military to attend the school of their choice within the district,” Corbett explained. “This program would also encourage adding additional school counselors to help military children adjust to the school.”
The report also recommended
the expansion of STEM and other technical education opportunities near Georgia’s bases, providing access to the HOPE scholarship
for reservists and Georgia Guard personnel, and expanding education opportunities through the Veterans Education Grants program to help
veterans successfully integrate back into the workforce.
For Moody Corbett said, the committee’s recommendation to improve bandwidth capabilities near military installations is important.
“Limited broadband capabilities is really a rural Georgia issue and does not just impact Moody,” said Corbett. “I think it’s important that the issue has now been brought forward and some light has been shed on the situation to get more attention and develop a solution.”
Hanson, who was invited to testify before both the House Study Committee on Military A airs and the High-Speed Broadband Access for All Georgians Joint House and Senate Study Committee, agrees that the broadband issue is a necessity and must become available, a ordable, and reliable to all Georgians.
“This is a quality of life issue for our military families,” Hanson said. “In some cases, they have service, but it is very costly, not reliable, or poor quality.”
Hanson said the SGMAC is actively addressing the broadband issue, especially as it relates to Moody.
“The SGMAC meets quarterly, and there is never a meeting in which the broadband de ciencies in and around
18 SG MAGAZINE | SPRING 2017
PHOTO: CONTRIBUTED