Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Friday the creation of the Freight and Logistics Task Force in a series of 22 task forces to strategically examine the current landscape and future of Georgia’s freight and logistics industry.

The task force is focused on three primary objectives: to capitalize on Georgia’s position as the Gateway to the East Coast, to acquire a working knowledge of the economic opportunities linked to freight movement and to gather a coherent collection of data concerning freight movement, hubs and logistics centers.

“Savannah has outpaced nearly every U.S. port in growth in recent years,” said Perdue. “It is important that we examine opportunities to ensure Georgia’s infrastructure will continue to support this type of economic development statewide.”

The task force will host listening sessions around the state beginning May 12, and concluding May 20. The listening sessions will offer an opportunity for directed discussion concerning how the task force will achieve its objectives. Final recommendations will be completed by mid-June, and they will be presented to the Governor in mid-July.

“Logistics is without question one of Georgia’s strategic industries and this task force will continue to advance our state’s economic development efforts by collecting the ‘what and why’ perspective from a wide cross-section of industry stakeholders,” said Robert Fauls, CEO of Southern Freight Inc., who was selected by Gov. Perdue as task force chair.

The task force activities are being facilitated by Georgia’s Logistics Innovation Center (LINC) a division of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Also created by Gov. Perdue, LINC provides a unique not-for-profit platform allowing industry, academia and government to collaborate on research, best practices, and new technologies. LINC’s efforts drive a more efficient and globally competitive logistics industry in Georgia.

• Valdosta listening session

Monday, May 12

8 a.m. - noon

Valdosta Technical College, Conference Center, Building 500

4089 Val Tech Road