Local Governments Request $45 Million For G-8 Summit

BRUNSWICK, Ga. – Georgia's coastal communities have requested nearly $45 million in preparations for next summer's G-8 Summit of world leaders in Sea Island.

Federal officials asked the coastal communities last summer to develop "wish lists" to prepare for the summit. Both state and federal officials previously said that only essential, security-related services should be requested.

Glynn County has requested about $11 million. Officials want money for night-vision surveillance equipment, airport radar upgrades at McKinnon and Brunswick airports and funds for other public works projects.

Eric Tanenblatt, chief of staff for Gov. Sonny Perdue and chairman of the state's G-8 Working Group, says coastal officials have come to realize that some of the requests are not essential to the summit. Some of the requests have already been deleted.

The G-8 Host Committee named a group of Georgia's political leadership as honorary co-chairmen and several prominent Georgia citizens as vice chairmen. Joining Host Committee Chairman Fred Cooper as honorary co-chairmen will be Perdue, Sens. Zell Miller and Saxby Chambliss and Congressmen Jack Kingston and Max Burns.

"I could not be more pleased that this very impressive group of Georgia citizens has agreed to join me in working with the White House to support this historic event," Cooper said. "No one will leave coastal Georgia without saying 'I'd like to come back to Georgia -- they did it right.'"

Serving as Vice Chairmen are William Jones III, Larry Thompson, Andrew Young, Alston Watt and former Sen. Mack Mattingly.

"We as a state have been given the unique opportunity to show the world what a vibrant and special place Georgia's coast is," Young said. "It is incumbent on us as its citizens to highlight the hospitality and economic power we have to offer."

Previous Stories:

• November 5, 2003: Feds: St. Simons Won't Be Closed Off During G-8 Summit
• October 31, 2003: Congress Authorizing $25 Million For G-8 Security
• July 17, 2003: Perdue Extends Southern Hospitality To Protesters For G8 Summit
• July 14, 2003: Source: Summit Of World Leaders Coming To Sea Island