State Transportation Board's Gateway Committee to Fund Welcome Centers Renovations

The State Transportation Board’s Gateways Committee voted Wednesday to recommend the renovation of Georgia’s Welcome Centers. The Gateways Committee, which includes 11th Congressional District rep Jeff Lewis, a Cartersville resident, committed funds for renovations from the revenues collected through the Georgia LOGO program. 

The full board Thursday approved the initiative. A former state representative of 16 years, Lewis was elected to the State Transportation Board in February 2011.

"The opportunity to rehabilitate and beautify our Welcome Centers with the funds from the LOGO program is a perfect use of that money," Committee Chair Sam Wellborn said in a release. "We have worked closely with Gov. Deal to identify the best projects to use these dedicated funds on in the state, and nothing reflects that better than improving our Welcome Centers.

"We are extremely excited about the work and the ultimate positive image of Georgia that will be reflected in the completed projects."

The Georgia LOGO program offers businesses advertising along highway interchanges through placement of their name and logo on signs approaching exits. The program is currently operated by Georgia Logos under a five-year contract, and generates revenue of approximately $3.3 million annually paid to the department’s gateway reserves, which funds various highway beautification projects statewide. 

Past projects have included landscaping grants, hardscapes, lighting and more, all at no cost to taxpayers.  Current reserves are being set aside to begin the Welcome Center renovations. 

"We realized that the LOGO funds were a perfect fit to use in making our Welcome Centers better," said Board Chair Johnny Floyd. "Many of these have been here since the 1960's and are in need of updating and beautification.  

"I truly appreciate the hard work Sam and the other members have put into this committee—the dedication to finding the right projects—I am very pleased with what they have presented.”

The Gateways Committee was officially established last year and in addition to Wellborn and Lewis, is comprised of  Jay Shaw and Don Grantham. 

Together, the committee worked closely with staff to develop a plan for the Welcome Centers, met with the Department of Economic Development and the Governor’s office to ensure that support for this effort was in place.  Specifications for a Request for Proposals (RFP) are being developed at this time. A project to rebuild the Welcome Center in Savannah is already funded through a separate allocation. 

Long term, the committee's goal is to not only rehab Georgia's eight Welcome Centers, but also do additional work to the state’s 16 rest areas, one of which is in Bartow County on Interstate 75 near Adairsville.