Local leaders have high-tech vision for Savannah (Atlanta: tech jobs, public schools)

[Airforceguy]

I'm glad to see local leaders are pushing a high tech corridor in Savannah. I believe Savannah would be a good location for such jobs, especially when you have places like the Port, Gulfstream, SCAD, SSU and Georgia Southern-Armstrong.

Keith Fletcher, the COO of local business technology firm Speros, was one of the speakers at a meeting the committee held in Savannah at the end of September. Fletcher will speak again to the group at a meeting near Atlanta on Monday.

Fletcher is a supporter of the concept and is pushing for the location to be in the Savannah area.

“Savannah is the obvious choice,” Fletcher said.

Savannah’s strengths

Fletcher said Savannah has industries that could benefit from — and contribute to — a tech corridor’s success.

A few of those industries include logistics, maritime, hospitality and gaming, Fletcher said. He also noted the impact from even a few high-tech jobs that could pay $100,000 each would be great for the area.

The most successful tech corridors are in geographically defined areas, with businesses that are close enough to encourage collaboration and innovation, Fletcher said.

“The tighter the border, the better the synergy,” Fletcher said.

Fletcher gets excited when he talks about the possibilities that an innovative and tech savy workforce could provide.

“How do you track wood?” Fletcher said. “Or track all kinds of bulk stuff? There are all kinds of things (to create) for logistics.”

Local leaders have high-tech vision for Savannah | SavannahNow

[843904]

This high tech balloon has been floated so many times. It won't work this time, as it has failed all the other times. Why? Not because of GSU, SCAD, Gulfstream, etc (gaming? What gaming?). It'll fail because the local public schools are abysmal here. People do not want to invest in areas where they cannot send their kids to school, as well as trying to "pipeline" future employees who simply lack the needed skills.