Will Transportation Referendum Create Jobs?

Metro Atlanta leaders have urged voters to approve the July 31 because it would reduce gridlock.

Now they're saying there's another benefit: the possible creation of 34,000 jobs.

They'll talk about it from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 30, during a "What If" Forum at the Courtyard Marriott in Decatur. The public is invited.

Here's the message from DeKalb County CEO Burrell Ellis:

What if the referendum passes and $8.5 billion of construction needs to be completed in metropolitan Atlanta?

What kind of workers will be needed to get the work done? The public is invited to hear from companies that will build these projects and find out what it takes to qualify for one of the 34,000 jobs expected to be created as a result of the passage of the measure.

 The summit is hosted by CEO Ellis in conjunction with Congressman Hank Johnson, Ambassador Andrew Young, The Rev. Joseph Lowery, Fulton County Chairman John Eaves, Rockdale County Chairman Richard Oden, The DeKalb Chamber of Commerce, 100 Black Men of DeKalb, 100 Black Men of Atlanta, Atlanta Business League, Clayton County Chamber of Commerce, The Coalition for the People’s Agenda, Georgia Minority Supplier Development Council, Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Metro Atlanta Chamber, National Black MBA Association, Partnership for Southern Equity, Regional Business Coalition, Rockdale Chamber of Commerce, The Collaborative Firm, and Urban League of Greater Atlanta.

The summit is free and open to the public, and lunch will be provided. Area technical schools and workforce offices will also be on site.

 To register, visit www.workforceatlanta.eventbrite.com or call 404-586-8524.