A House committee tasked with addressing challenges in rural Georgia kicked off its first meeting of the off-session late last week by hearing testimony from various agency heads, state and local leaders and other stakeholders. The House Rural Development Council was first created in 2017 to work with rural communities to find ways to encourage economic growth and job creation. During the 2023 legislative session, the council was renewed for the current term through the unanimous adoption of House Resolution 488.
State Reps. Mack Jackson, D-Sandersville, and Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert, are serving as co-chairs of the committee that held its first meeting at the Oak Hill and Martha Berry Museum at Berry College in Rome.
“Rural Georgia is the backbone of our state, rich in heritage and resources, yet confronted with unique challenges that demand our ongoing attention and action,” said Jackson. “The needs of rural Georgians are both numerous and urgent. I am eager for the discussions this council will engage in over the coming months as it is crucial that we remain committed to addressing these challenges through targeted, effective public policies.”
The council received updates on efforts to advance rural prosperity, including initiatives aimed at revitalizing several of Georgia’s industries and tackling current challenges, such as declining opportunities, population shifts and the imbalance between revenue and costs in rural areas.
Among those testifying was Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Commissioner Christopher Nunn who spoke on the need for rural workforce housing and infrastructure. Nunn highlighted the Georgia Dream Homeownership Program, which supports rural Georgians with down payment assistance and loan options. He also spoke on the importance of preserving rural workforce housing through tax credits and reviewed a $35 million pilot program from the Fiscal Year 2023 budget focused on these initiatives.
Other issues discussed during the meeting were the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on energy programs, the allocation of state funds for rural transportation and the challenges rural communities face in accessing quality education – focusing on the need for collaborative efforts across counties to streamline resources and provide leadership. The council heard discussions focused on strategies for workforce and economic development, particularly the revitalization of rural infrastructures and downtown areas.
