State Farm Sponsoring Georgia's Highway Emergency Corps
Gov. Sonny Perdue and state transportation officials announced the multi-year funding arrangement May 22.
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, Georgia transportation officials, and representatives of the State Farm Insurance Co. announced a new sponsorship by the latter that will keep emergency crews on the state's highways to help motorists in trouble. The deal will create a long-term, supplemental funding source for the Georgia DOT's Highway Emergency Response Operator (HERO) program.
"We know that incident management is one of the most effective, efficient methods to relieving congestion," Perdue said May 22. "This partnership ensures sustainable funding is available to keep our HERO trucks busy clearing wrecks and keeping traffic moving."
Georgia DOT will receive $1.7 million per year in sponsorship fees from State Farm during the next three years to support the program, with an option in place to renew the contract for two additional years at $1.825 million per year. In return, State Farm logos will be placed on HERO vehicles, operator uniforms, and signs marking HERO service areas, and the program will be known as the Georgia DOT HERO Program sponsored by State Farm Insurance.
"Our HERO motor service patrol is one of Georgia DOT's most acclaimed programs," said State Transportation Board Member Brandon Beach, who pushed for the sponsorship deal. "We are thrilled at the opportunity to create new revenue sources that will sustain funding for this critical program, both now and in the future. We're going to save the taxpayers millions of dollars in operating costs and allow Georgia DOT HEROs to continue doing what they do best: protecting lives and property; assisting motorists; and reducing incident delays."
"State Farm's support of this program underscores our commitment to help make our roads safer. The HERO program shares our good neighbor commitment and is a partner in our mission of helping people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams," said Tim McFadden, senior vice president with State Farm.