UPDATED: Pro-Privatization Group Announces Launch

A new group has been formed to .

According to a press release, the group, “Fly Gwinnett Forward,” is a “citizen-driven effort” to encourage county officials to move forward with a request for proposals (RFP) related to the privatization of the Lawrenceville airport.

“This is the next step in exploring a unique opportunity to jump-start the local economy, reduce the cost of government and bring capital improvement to one of Gwinnett's most valuable assets, Briscoe Field,” according to the unsigned release.

The group’s website, www.FlyGwinnettForward.com, lists the principals behind the group as Jimmy Norton, Mike Royal and Paula Hastings. Norton, a Snellville resident, currently serves on the Grayson and Snellville Development Authorities according to the group's website. Royal is District 3 Commissioner Mike Beaudreau's appointee to the Gwinnett County Zoning Board of Appeals and serves as the Board's chairman. Hastings, a resident of the Collins Hill area, is a former Gwinnett County planning commissioner and a member of Engage Gwinnett.

The group also has a YouTube channel with citizen testimonials located at http://www.youtube.com/user/flygwinnett.

The group plans to hold a press conference on Thursday, March 24.