Gov. Nathan Deal touts agriculture’s role in Georgia’s economy

JEKYLL ISLAND — Gov. Nathan Deal, speaking at the Georgia Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention for the eighth consecutive year on Monday, said the agriculture industry has been important in Georgia’s top ranking as a state in which to do business.

Since 2013, the governor noted, Site Selection Magazine has named Georgia the No. 1 state for business.

“Agribusiness is doing your part in keeping us in that number one designation,” Deal said at the organization’s 80th annual meeting. “Agribusiness contributes over $74.9 billion to Georgia’s economy.”

Deal, who is about to enter the final year of his second term of office, said he was appreciative of the role the state Farm Bureau plays in keeping agribusiness a top industry in Georgia.

“As a Farm Bureau member, I appreciate the good work that this organization does,” the governor said. “Whenever possible, you give young people the opportunity to explore the rural lifestyle, and this is important.”

He also outlined projects the state of Georgia has funded during his administration to strengthen rural Georgia and agriculture. Deal said the state set aside an additional $9 million above what the state usually allocates for the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service, UGA Agricultural Experiment Stations & Veterinary Medicine Experiment Stations for Fiscal Year 2018, which started July 1.

“We understand that these are the kinds of investments that allow people to have access to the most current information possible,” Deal said.

Since he took office as governor in 2011, Georgia has invested more than $100 million to ensure students in rural Georgia have access to high-speed internet, he said. The One Georgia Authority, which provides grants to rural communities, has awarded about $100 million to fund rural economic projects that have helped retain or create 25,575 jobs in rural Georgia, the governor noted.

“Eighty percent of the international economic development projects that have come to Georgia were outside metro Atlanta,” Deal said. “They may not be directly related to agriculture, but they do provide jobs for rural Georgia and allow people to stay in rural Georgia.”

About 1,500 Georgia farmers and agribusiness leaders from across the state met at the convention, which is set to wrap up today. The three-day event included a trade show and educational sessions. Deal spoke Monday at the general session, along with U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter and Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary Black.