Utilities
Telecommunications
Effective communication is essential to any successful business venture. Richmond County is aware of the importance of up-to-date technology in running a productive and profitable business. The county keeps businesses and residents informed through a full range of communications media. With the most sophisticated and advanced telecommunications equipment in the country, the area is served by local and competitive exchange carriers.
Telephone companies are being transformed into full-service technology networks, ultimately combining the functions of today's telephone, cable television, video conferencing and data communications networks into one system. The availability of fiber-optic cable throughout the MSA contributes to this telecommunications revolution through its ability to deliver communications between people and businesses anywhere at any time.
Richmond County offers a large variety of long distance carrier choices through a multitude of points of presence redundantly served by the local exchange carriers. The area also has a large variety of voice, data and Internet wireless service providers.
SYSTEMS OVERVIEW
- Digital networks including state of the art digital central offices throughout Richmond County.
- Multiple fully redundant fiber optic networks.
- Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) rings in service
- 100% interoffice facilities are on redundant fiber.
- Video conferencing, telemedicine and distant learning applications.
- Work-at-home services for telecommuters – Richmond County uniquely offers high-speed broadband internet service through Comcast and Knology via cable modem and BellSouth via DSL.
- High capacity digital trunking for security, reliability and efficiency.
- Local Area Network (LAN) & Wide Area Network (WAN) interconnection
- DS1/DS3 and other fiber optic private line services.
- Packet switching services, such as ATM and Frame Relay.
- ISDN basic and primary rate - DSL services.
- Analog and digital video services.
- High speed Internet access from a large variety of providers.
- Call Center communication services such as Primary Rate ISDN, High-Speed Internet Access and Ring Topologies to Long Distance. Local Exchange Carriers provide Augusta area Call Centers the advanced communication infrastructure to meet their complex needs.
Electricity & Gas
The Augusta area is served through a strong network of transmission lines, substations and commercial/industrial grade distribution lines. These facilities are constantly maintained and upgraded to insure the highest reliability possible. The local system is interconnected with Georgia's Integrated Transmission System, which gives it the capacity and stability to meet the needs of the area's industrial community.
In Georgia, companies locating outside of the municipal boundaries established in 1973 and having 900kw demand or higher have a choice of power supplier. Optional suppliers include (1) Georgia Power, which is a subsidiary of The Southern Company, (2) Jefferson Energy Cooperative, a member of Oglethorpe Power Corporation, and (3) Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia (MEAG). Electric power companies in Georgia work through an integrated transmission network. Rates in Georgia are 15% below the national average with interruptible and off-peak rates available.
Georgia offers very competitive natural gas prices, in part because it is the first state in the nation to deregulate the residential and commercial natural gas market. In 1997, the Georgia General Assembly passed into law the Natural Gas Competition and Deregulation Act. Under the new law, Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC) filed a plan with the Georgia Public Service Commission (GPSC) to bring its customers in Georgia a choice of natural gas suppliers. Atlanta Gas Light Company will continue to operate its pipeline systems. But its former customers, both residential and commercial, are able to buy gas from a variety of providers. Other marketers will arrange for the sale and distribution of gas to their own customers, using the existing AGL pipelines to deliver the gas. Marketers will be allowed to set their own prices. According to the GPSC, competition should eventually bring most customers more value and even more reliable and efficient service.
Natural gas is available in industrial quantities on both a firm and an interruptible basis, depending upon the peak daily usage and load profile of the customer.
Water, Sewer & Waste Disposal
Water availability is important in the growth and development of Richmond County; surface water in the county is plentiful. The Augusta Utilities Department operates one of the largest systems of water and wastewater facilities in the state of Georgia. Water is supplied by surface water from the Savannah River and well water from the crustaceous aquifer, mostly in south Augusta-Richmond County.
The wastewater treatment is conventional activated sludge, and there is a tertiary treatment through a constructed wetlands filtration system, one of the largest of its type in the country. The operation of the wastewater treatment plant is through private management by OMI (Operations Management International) as of August 7, 1999.
SOLID WASTE DISPOSAL
Richmond Count has solid waste disposal services.HAZARDOUS WASTE
The two closest facilities for the disposal of hazardous waste are Laidlaw Environmental Services in Pinewood, SC (83 miles) and Chemical Waste Management in Emelle, AL (405 miles).ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING
Georgia offers one-stop permitting to facilitate the process of obtaining environmental permits from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. One of the few state agencies approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to issue federally required permits, EPD vests permit authority in a single agency rather than separate departments, bureaus, or commissions as in other states. Georgia has compiled such an impressive record that it does not have to require Environmental Impact Statements. For many industries, this can expedite the appropriate permitting process by 12 to 14 months. Highlights of Georgia's consolidated permitting program include the authority to issue federal water, wastewater and clean air permits. Augusta - Richmond County is an attainable county.Georgia permits for the following:
- Air and Water Pollution
- Solid and Hazardous waste
- G round, surface and drinking water
