The House Special Committee on Resource Management Water Subcommittee traveled to southeast Georgia late last week as part of its effort to evaluate the state’s major water sources, usage patterns, data accuracy, and capacity planning. During the off-session, the subcommittee has been visiting communities across Georgia to develop strategies that ensure the state can meet future water demands.
The meeting in Claxton featured testimony from agencies, local and state leaders—including House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington, and Claxton Mayor Terry Branch—as well as industry stakeholders. Discussions focused on how Georgia’s water resources affect various sectors statewide.
Rep. Bill Werkheiser, R-Glennville, chairman of the House Industry and Labor Committee, hosted the meeting.
“It was a pleasure to welcome my fellow subcommittee members to Claxton to continue our discussion on Georgia’s vital water resources,” said Rep. Werkheiser. “I want to thank Speaker Jon Burns—our most policy-driven leader who always reminds us to get the facts first—along with Chairman Chas Cannon for their leadership. These conversations are essential as we work to responsibly manage Georgia’s water resources to support our communities, industries, and future growth. I’m proud to contribute to the important work of this subcommittee.”
Early discussions centered on the forestry industry, with testimony from representatives of Rayonier, Inc., a timberland real estate investment trust with assets in softwood timber regions across the United States and New Zealand. They noted that two-thirds of Georgia’s water infrastructure originates in forests, supporting much of the state’s residential water use. Rayonier also highlighted its land-based solution initiatives, which explore alternative land uses related to water management, recharge, and retention.
The committee also heard from Claxton Poultry Farms, a fully integrated, family-owned company operating a processing plant established in 1959. The facility processes about 2.35 million birds each week and employs 1,800 people. Company representatives detailed their water conservation practices, including daily monitoring of usage by area, implementing water reuse systems, and shutting off water when not in use to improve efficiency.
Another focus of the meeting was the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Bryan County—a $7.6 billion investment expected to produce up to 500,000 electric and hybrid vehicles annually. Testimony from representatives of the Savannah Joint Development Authority and the Vice President of Infrastructure at Thomas & Hutton Engineering outlined how water infrastructure supports the plant’s operations. Vehicle production began in 2024, and as of April 2025, approximately 1,235 “Meta Pros” have been hired. The facility is ultimately expected to create 8,500 jobs.
The subcommittee received an update on the plant’s groundwater service plan, which includes a well system permitted to withdraw more than 6 million gallons of water per day to serve the 2,500-acre complex.
Members also heard from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), which works to conserve and enhance Georgia’s energy, land, and water resources. GEFA provided updates on its efforts to strengthen water infrastructure following Hurricane Helene and recent investments in surface water projects across coastal Georgia, including Effingham County, Bryan County, and the City of Savannah.
Following the meeting, subcommittee members toured the North Bryan County Water Reclamation Facility in Ellabell, which receives and treats Hyundai’s pretreated wastewater and stormwater.
