Deal touts eight years of accomplishments during chamber’s Governor’s Dinner

ALBANY — The last time Gov. Nathan Deal scheduled a visit to Albany, it was postponed by a state of emergency because of Hurricane Michael. Deal, however, rescheduled and Tuesday night the Albany Area Chamber honored Deal and First Lady Sandra Deal for their steadfast leadership of Georgia during the chamber’s inaugural Governor’s Dinner.

It was only fitting that the governor touched upon Hurricane Michael in his opening remarks.

“As you all know, Dougherty County was included in the original state of emergency issued on Oct. 9 in response to Hurricane Michael. That state of emergency lasted until Nov. 21, though for some, the recovery process is ongoing,” Deal said. “A generation of planters, growers, and producers has been deeply impacted — perhaps more than at any other time in the last century. Within the agriculture and timber industries alone, more than $2.5 billion were lost, shorn away by the bitter winds and drowned by the thundering rains of the storm. That type of loss can take a generation to recuperate. These are the families who put food on our tables and shirts on our backs through the fruits of their hard labor.”

Deal reminded the crowd he had called for a special session of the General Assembly to provide relief funding and spur economic recovery for areas most heavily affected by Hurricane Michael.

“That special session ran from Nov. 13 through 17, and I signed legislation to amend the Fiscal Year 2019 Appropriations Act and add $270 million in emergency funding for state agencies and local governments,” the governor said. “I also signed legislation to create a tax credit for taxpayers in southwest Georgia’s timber industry who incurred significant expenses as a result of the hurricane.

“Certainly our thoughts and prayers continue to be with those affected, including friends and family of members of the Albany community. As we look to the future, I am optimistic for the Albany area.”

Deal pointed to some specific areas that give rise to his regional optimism.

The unemployment rate for the Albany metropolitan area is 4.4 percent, and in the last fiscal year the Albany area has seen nine economic development projects, resulting in more than 550 new, private-sector jobs, and more than $228 million in investment. Those, Deal pointed out, are just the projects that the Georgia Department of Economic Development had a hand in. These project announcements include businesses in the aerospace, logistics, manufacturing, and technology industries.”

The largest of those projects is Georgia Pacific’s new plant announced in July – 130 jobs and $150 million in investment — and expansion at Procter & Gamble. The governor also pointed out the announcement that Check-Mate Industries will create more than 200 jobs in Thomasville.

Deal added that for the first time since 2002, Quality Basic Education will be fully funded for the first time in this year’s budget, with more than $9.8 billion allocated to K-12 schools this year alone.

“This year’s budget also invested $2.4 billion in our university system and almost $370 million in our Technical Colleges,” the governor said.

Hope Career Grant results are up and 88.4 percent of students in the HOPE-funded programs find job placement in their fields upon graduation, and 99.2 percent overall find job placement of some kind.

“I understand that tonight we are celebrating the creation of a new scholarship for students in the Dougherty County School System, generously provided by the Albany Area Chamber of Commerce,” Deal said. “Sandra and I are truly honored to be associated with this initiative, as there is no better investment than enabling a student to pursue his or her goals through education.”

Deal added he was proud of the accomplishments attained during his eight years in office.

“As I conclude, and as we head further into this Christmas season wherein we reflect on the blessings of this past year, the hopes for the coming year, and that which is closest to our hearts, I ask you to keep all of southwest Georgia in your prayers,” he said. “This will be a difficult Christmas for many Georgians, and we should choose this season, especially, to adhere to the Lord’s great command and love our neighbors as ourselves. In time, together, we will ensure those families see joyful Christmases once again.

“Together, we will rebuild, replant and regrow the livelihood of an entire region. Together, we will make southwest Georgia, and all of our state not just whole again, but even greater than it already was before the storm.”