The Rotary Club of Atlanta warmly welcomed Gov. Brian Kemp on Jan. 13 — the first day of the 2025 legislative session — by the Rotary Club of Atlanta.
Before his introductory remarks, Kemp laughed about being happy to speak to Rotary so he could get away from the legislative session.
“Only 39 more days to go,” Kemp told the friendly audience of business and civic leaders.
Kemp’s remarks focused on public safety, Georgia’s continued ranking as the best state to do business and the need to have trained employees to work for all the companies investing in the state.
Regarding public safety, Kemp spoke proudly of First Lady Marty Kemp’s efforts to fight human trafficking, the state’s efforts to curb gang violence, investment in the state’s prison system and the building of Atlanta’s public safety training center, specifically mentioning Mayor Andre Dickens and Atlanta Police Commission Darin Schierbaum.
Economic development was a centerpiece of his comments, saying Georgia was “in a really good spot” compared to other states in the country and other parts of the world.
“We feel really good about our pipeline [of economic development projects] in Georgia, but we have got to have the workforce,” said Kemp, adding that trained workers are needed across the spectrum of industries – from doctors to truck drivers. “I would take our environment in the state over any other state in the country… We have a lot of good advantages here.”
Kemp answered questions from Sonny Deriso, a Rotarian and banker who served in many volunteer roles statewide, including transportation agencies.
“I feel like we are working on every road wherever I go,” said Kemp, who said the state’s $16 billion surplus should only be spent on one-time investments rather than creating new government programs.
Although he mentioned the need to focus on the state’s freight network, Kemp did not talk about investments in transit and rail.
Deriso did remind Rotarians that Kemp served as Secretary of State before he became governor.
“When I have a bad day as governor, I just remind myself I’m not Secretary of State,” Kemp joked.
Then he said he is honored to be serving as chair of the Republican Governor’s Association. It will be important for Republicans to raise “a lot of money” for gubernatorial races — two in 2025 and 36 in 2026.
One Rotarian asked Kemp if he would be running for president. “I’m really happy in my day job,” Kemp deflected.
Another Rotarian asked the governor about affordable housing.
Kemp said the state has been investing in affordable housing in the last two years.
“No matter your profession, you should be able to live in the community where you work,” Kemp told the gathering.
The Rotary meeting also paid a special tribute to the late Jimmy Carter, who was both a former U.S. president and Georgia governor.
Paige Alexander, president and CEO of the Carter Center, spoke of the 17,000 messages and tributes people had made since Carter’s passing.
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