We must prioritize the growth of what we already have, specifically upgrading US 27 and Veterans Parkway from Muscogee County up through Harris County. The widening of this corridor is currently underway, with construction funds authorized for FY 2026 and completion expected in spring 2027. This $40 million investment is designed to improve safety and create alternate routes to the interstate, creating the physical capacity for commerce and connectivity.

However, infrastructure alone does not guarantee community prosperity. We must ask ourselves: what is actually growing along this corridor? Is it thriving towns with diverse opportunities, or are we seeing a proliferation of gas stations, liquor stores, fast food chains, and high-priced dollar stores? The current administration is not ready or equipped to handle positive growth and change. Simply widening the road without a strategic vision allows these low-value developments to take root, failing to capture the economic potential of our district.

We need to have plans in place when opportunities reveal themselves. When the road improves, the traffic will follow, but only if we are ready to direct that traffic toward meaningful development. We cannot rely on the status quo to manage the inevitable changes that come with better infrastructure. We need a proactive government that has the capacity to plan for positive growth, ensuring that when the highway is ready, our communities are ready to thrive.

The government's initial offer is often just the beginning of negotiations and may not reflect the full value of the property, including potential losses like lost business income or diminished value of the remaining land.