CONGRESSMAN BISHOP PRESENTS $3.9 MILLION CHECK TO SWGA REGIONAL COMMISSION TO HELP COUNTIES UPGRADE EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT

CAMILLA, GA– On Friday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) presented a ceremonial check to the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission representing the $3,941,986 in federal funding that the Congressman secured for the organization as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 funding bill. The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission will use the funds to help Baker, Calhoun, Colquitt, Decatur, Early, Grady, Miller, Mitchell, Seminole, Terrell, Thomas, and Worth Counties purchase interoperable P25 radio system equipment. These radios are used by emergency services and will replace obsolete and outdated equipment which is no longer vendor-supported.

"Today is a great example of how congressionally directed spending can support our first responders – including police, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians – and help local governments make the large investments needed to keep our families safe without straining small community budgets beyond their breaking points," said Congressman Bishop. "I worked hard to secure these funds and look forward to the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission's work with our local authorities to get them the communications equipment they need to better coordinate in response to crises like crime and natural disasters."

"The large crowd that showed up for the ‘big check' presentation held this past Friday at The Depot in Camilla, GA, was a true testament to how grateful our local government officials and first responders are to Congressman Bishop for making the safety of southwest Georgians a priority," said SWGA Regional Commission Executive Director Suzanne Angell. "Southwest Georgia Regional Commission staff, local elected officials, county and city staff, and first responders, all gathered together to show the Congressman our appreciation of the legislative appropriation in the amount of $3,941,986 for the rural counties in Region 10."

"These funds will be used to upgrade the antiquated VHF communications equipment that our first responders are currently using in individual counties, to an Interoperable P25 Communications System. The Southwest Georgia Regional Commission spearheaded the original appropriations request on behalf of the eligible Counties and Cities and will coordinate the project as it moves forward with the purchase of this equipment," added Executive Director Angell. "This regional effort is of utmost importance in ensuring our region has the most advanced communications system, to not only provide critical first response services in an individual county, but to have the capability to communicate and coordinate services across county lines. Of all the problems experienced during disaster-related events, one of the most serious is poor communication due to lack of appropriate and efficient means to collect, process and transmit important information in a timely manner. Interoperable communication is vital to initial response, public health, community safety, national security and economic stability. Many thanks to Congressman Bishop for his continued support to our region!"

Congressman Bishop is a senior member of the U.S. House of Representatives and leader on the House Appropriations Committee, which oversees federal discretionary spending. In addition to directing overall funding levels for federal departments, agencies, and programs – many of which operate or fund projects at the state and local level in Georgia and across the country – the Congressman was able to secure over $25 million in direct funding for several important projects in Middle and Southwest Georgia.

In the past two weeks, Congressman Bishop has presented funds to the cities of Colquitt, Donalsonville, and Bainbridge as well as the Golden Triangle Resource Conservation and Development Council in Dawson (hi-tech simulators for workforce training program) and the Boys and Girls Club of Albany, Inc. (for facilities improvements in Albany, Plains, and Montezuma).

###