State Driver’s License Office coming to Greensboro

 

July 2009 -A new Department of Driver Services Center could open in Greene County before the New Year, bringing gifts to the community in the form of jobs and increased traffic at Greensboro and I-20.

A sure thing before the economic crisis started, the new state driver services branch was in limbo for the past year as state legislators and the governor’s office sought to cut items and balance the budget. Ultimately, the money allocated for the new office survived, and the Greene County Board of Commissioners approved its agreement with the state to build the new office at the June 16 regular voting session.

“State Representative Mickey Channell and Senator Johnny Grant both worked very hard to keep this project in the State’s Budget,” said County Manager Byron Lombard.  “We are very fortunate to have these two legislators working for our area as this project would not have been as likely to develop if not for their efforts.”

For the county’s part, the Board of Commissioners has always been ready to make its contribution—specifically budgeting money in SPLOST V to build out the new driver’s license branch inside the Greene County Public Service Campus on C. Weldon Smith Drive.

“We’re excited to bring a driver’s license branch to Greene County,” said chairman Dene Channell. “Its saves our citizens from having to go outside the county for services, and it helps our local economy by providing jobs and bringing people in from other, surrounding counties that will spend time and money here.”

Once opened, the office will be very busy, with residents from Morgan, Putnam, Taliaferro and Hancock counties, to name a few, coming to Greene County to get and renew their driver’s licenses. Some of those people will eat at Greene County restaurants, shop locally, and buy gas. Regardless, they will all boost sales taxes and consequently lower the property tax burden on local citizens.

Discussions are already underway with Greene County on how to accommodate the needs of a new Department of Driver’s Services Center, and representatives from the state have spoken with county officials on just what they’ll need at the local level, from a the amount of pavement for vehicle license testing to building plans and other specifications.

 

  

For questions, please contact:

Chris Edwards

Public Information Officer

1034 Silver Drive, Suite 201
Greensboro, GA 30642

706-453-7716

cedwards@greenecountyga.gov