---
title: "Georgia 2050 Planning Tour Puts Literacy in Focus"
url: https://www.hereatlanta.com/2026/10/18/georgia-chamber-2050-roundtable-statesboro-workforce/
date: 2026-10-18T07:26:22-04:00
modified: 2026-10-18T07:26:22-04:00
author: "HERE City State Desk"
categories: ["Business"]
site: "HERE Atlanta"
attribution: "HERE Atlanta"
---

# Georgia 2050 Planning Tour Puts Literacy in Focus

> STATESBORO, Ga. — The Georgia Chamber of Commerce will take its statewide economic planning tour to Georgia Southern University on Tuesday, Oct. 20, convening business owners, educators and lawmakers to talk about the workers and schools the region will need in the decades ahead. The stop is part of the chamber’s Regional Roundtable series under

*Source: [HERE Atlanta](https://www.hereatlanta.com/2026/10/18/georgia-chamber-2050-roundtable-statesboro-workforce/) — October 18, 2026 by HERE City State Desk*

*From the HERE City State Desk*

STATESBORO, Ga. — The Georgia Chamber of Commerce will take its statewide economic planning tour to Georgia Southern University on Tuesday, Oct. 20, convening business owners, educators and lawmakers to talk about the workers and schools the region will need in the decades ahead.

The stop is part of the chamber’s Regional Roundtable series under Georgia 2050, a long-range effort to plan for the state’s economy, infrastructure and workforce over the next quarter century. The chamber projects Georgia’s population will grow by roughly 2.5 million people by 2050 while the economy adds some 3.1 million jobs, and it argues that companies choosing Georgia plan on a horizon of 25 to 50 years, so roads, school pipelines and job training need to be planned the same way.

This session puts literacy near the top of the agenda. Its partner for the day is the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education. Panels will look at how to equip teachers to reach statewide reading goals and how partnerships between schools, business and government can raise literacy rates.

Speakers include Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero, Georgia Chamber President and CEO Chris Clark, Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education President and CEO Dana Rickman and state Sen. Billy Hickman. Clark and Rickman are slated to present a regional workforce overview for southeast Georgia, followed by a facilitated discussion aimed at producing concrete next steps.

Programs begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Nessmith-Lane Ballroom at 847 Plant Drive on the Georgia Southern campus. Registration is handled through the Georgia Chamber.