Peach Tree Times

State Representative Gerald Greene, co-chair of the House Rural Development Council, recently led a meeting at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. The council's third meeting of the year addressed recovery efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton, as well as discussions on Georgia’s agriculture industry and the role of natural gas in supporting agribusiness recruitment and retention.

“In the light of the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helen and Milton, our recent meeting in Americus was an essential step in addressing the challenges rural Georgians are now facing as our rural communities that were some of the hardest hit by the storms,” said Rep. Greene. “Agriculture represents Georgia’s leading industry, and we must focus on supporting the recovery efforts and protecting the long-term growth of our rural farming communities. The discussions we held on the farming industry, the pivotal role of natural gas and how these resources can strengthen agribusiness recruitment and retention were vital to our council’s efforts to gather insights for proposing meaningful legislation in the upcoming session that not only aids in immediate recovery but also lays the groundwork for sustainable growth.”

The two-day meeting began with a focus on how Hurricanes Helene and Milton impacted rural Georgia’s natural resources and agriculture sector. Discussions emphasized prioritizing relief for those affected by these storms. Georgia’s Agricultural Commissioner Tyler Harper highlighted issues such as labor shortages, national security, and mental health challenges faced by farmers. He noted that Hurricane Helene caused $3.2 billion in damage to Georgia's agriculture and forestry industries. Additionally, reforestation efforts due to hurricane losses were discussed by the Georgia Forestry Association.

Beyond recovery efforts, agribusiness experts engaged with council members about tort reform's financial implications for farmers in rural areas. Legislative recommendations aimed at reducing accounting burdens on municipalities were also presented. Updates from Georgia’s banking association on local government financial reporting were shared alongside insights into workforce development related to both forestry industry updates and United States Farm Bill status.

The House Rural Development Council was established in 2017 to collaborate with rural communities on strategies fostering economic growth and job creation. It was reauthorized for its current term during 2023 after unanimous adoption of House Resolution 488.

Further details about this council can be found online: https://www.legis.ga.gov/other-committees/house/2024/rural-development-council-2024