AT&T gives Tour a boost
Company becomes major sponsor with $500,000 contribution

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced that AT&T will contribute $500,000 to become a major sponsor of the 2007 Tour de Georgia, which will be held the week of April 16-22. Although the route detours Blairsville this year, Stage 5 of the race will still cross through parts of Union County on April 20, en route to a finish atop Brasstown Bald Mtn.

"I am very pleased that our newest corporate citizen is continuing the long legacy of civic participation established by BellSouth and Cingular Wireless," Governor Perdue said. "I have met with representatives from the new AT&T and remain convinced that the company will continue to have a tremendous impact on our state's economy for decades to come."

Tour de Georgia organizers had been seeking another major sponsor since Ford dropped its sponsorship of the race following the 2006 event. Organizers previously acknowledged that the Tour was in financial peril this year, needing approximately $1 million in additional funding. AT&T's sponsorship cuts that figure in half. The company will now be a Founding Partner of the Tour.

"It is an honor to make this contribution to the Tour de Georgia, one of the greatest international cycling events," said AT&T President Sylvia Anderson. "AT&T is committed to the state of Georgia and our communities. I believe this event with further showcase the rest of the world our great state, people, and culture. I want to thank Governor Perdue and the General Assembly for their leadership and commitment to economic development and tourism, which this great event will certainly contribute."