Congressman Bishop presents check to SWGA Regional Commission for communication equipment

Published 3:35 pm Saturday, February 11, 2023

THOMASVILLE- On Friday, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. presented a ceremonial check of $3,941,986 to the Southwest Georgia Regional Commission in Camilla, GA in order to purchase new communication equipment for surrounding counties, including Thomas County. 

After presenting the check to Suzanne Angell, Executive Director of the SWGA Regional Commission, Bishop said that it felt good to give rural communities an opportunity to update their equipment, which can often allude them due to a smaller tax base. 

“It feels good,” he said. “We have a lot of small rural communities and counties that don’t have the tax base that allows them to be up to the newest technology in terms of public safety communications.”

Bishop said the equipment included a P25 radio system equipment, which would be used by emergency service providers, such as first responders. 

“We have service departments, law enforcement, first responders that can’t communicate with each other across county lines,” Bishop said. “So this will allow them to get a P25 radio communications system that will be interoperable with numerous counties.”

He said that this will aid in the tracking of criminals across county lines alongside emergency communications during hazardous weather.

“You can have that instant interoperability of communications that will keep our communities safe, and help us to have better quality of life,” Bishop said. 

Angell said that there was a wonderful turnout for the event and that she was thankful for the presence of elected officials and first responders, continuing on to say that Bishop’s efforts were appreciated by the local area. 

“I think we had a wonderful turnout and support from our cities and counties, and of course, Congressman Bishop, we’re so appreciative of all that he’s doing for the region by getting this P25 interoperable communications equipment out to region ten, which is much needed to replace the old, antiquated equipment that we have out there,” Angell said. 

She added that once they received an approval on the grant, they would move into the process of organizing the needs of the region and buying the equipment, which she said she hoped to have in place by the end of the year.

“Hopefully by the end of the year, we’ll have some equipment in place,” Angell concluded.