Albany Mayor Pro Tem Roger B. Marietta is optimistic about the future of the local economy, citing the presence of Albany Tech, Darton College and Albany State as evidence of the area’s potential.

“We have three institutions of higher education producing a wealth of educated graduates that are needed by large and small companies,” Marietta said. “As these institutions grow, it also creates demand for new apartments and other infrastructure and that translates into more jobs.”

With his strong belief in the promise of higher education, it is fitting that Marietta will deliver the commencement address to Troy University graduates for the Albany campus on Saturday, May 21. Marietta intends to share lessons his father taught him along with experience he has gained on his own journey. Marietta served as a supply officer in the U.S. Navy, mayor of the city of Fayetteville, Ga., associate professor of political science at Darton College and Albany City Commissioner for Ward 4.

A city with many advantages

Marietta believes Albany offers many opportunities for businesses, families and individuals. In addition to the educational resources, the city has a strong health care base.

“If Phoebe Putney is successful in its acquisition of Palmyra, I believe they have talked about adding another children’s unit that could create 300 new jobs,” Marietta said.

Marietta also believes Albany offers advantages for energy-intensive companies. He cites Water, Gas and Light rates that are among the lowest in the area – approximately 15 percent lower than Georgia Power.

“We also have an abundance of sunshine in Georgia that can be used as an energy resource. Germany, which has significantly fewer sunny days than we do, gets 15 percent of its energy needs from solar,” Marietta continued.

Earlier this week, Joe Thomas, president of Mage Solar USA, a Dublin, Ga.-based company that manufactures complete solar systems and related components, addressed the Albany community to encourage greater adoption of solar energy. The address coincided with Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signing House Bill 346, which doubled solar energy tax credits from $2.5 million to $5 million annually. Besides supporting manufacturers like Mage Solar, the tax credits indirectly help create jobs for solar installers, technicians and sales reps.

Marietta believes state and federal tax incentives and tariffs can help the local economy. He gives as one example the Obama administration’s tariffs on tires imported from China.

“If tariffs had been imposed earlier it might have preserved the local Cooper Tires operation,” Marietta said.

Everybody’s goal: jobs

Creating jobs is everyone’s goal, according to Marietta, because a high employment rate has a positive impact on most of the city’s other priorities. It reduces required spending on welfare and other services and typically reduces crime.

“Public safety is our number one priority and a strong economy can help improve safety,” Marietta explained.

The city’s priorities in order as stated by the mayor and board of city commissioners are:

1. Publicsafety
2. Blighted property eradication
3. Water, sewer and storm water Infrastructure
4. Economic development
5. Poverty
6. SPLOST VI priorities. SPLOST refers to a special-purpose local-option sales tax (SPLOST) that can be levied by any county in Georgia for the purpose of funding the building and maintenance of parks, schools, roads, and other public facilities.

More information on the city of Albany priorities and initiatives is available at www.albany.ga.us or contact Roger Marietta at [email protected].

About Barbara Kieker

Barbara Kieker is a freelance writer who writes on business-related topics for a number of web-based properties. She also provides communications services to Fortune 500 corporations, small businesses and nonprofit organizations.