ATLANTA – State Representative Darlene Taylor (R-Thomasville) recently traveled to Kingsland and Eatonton to attend meetings of the House of Representatives’ Rural Development Council. These meetings were focused on business development and rural health care.
“The House Rural Development Council provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders from all of Georgia’s rural areas to come together and share ways to better support our communities,” said Rep. Taylor. “Our last two meetings centered around two very pertinent issues in rural Georgia: business development and health care. These are both challenging and complex issues, but I feel that my colleagues and I came away from these meetings with useful information that will help guide our decision making, especially as we prepare for the 2020 legislative session. This council is committed to exploring legislative solutions that will aid rural Georgia and its citizens.”
The council traveled to the Coastal College of Georgia’s Camden Center in Kingsland where they heard presentations from local governments, state agencies and citizens on issues that hinder business growth, as well as successful projects that have helped improve rural communities. This series of meetings, which took place October 29-30, covered a variety of topics, including local transportation funding, natural resources and wildlife preservation efforts, as well as the state’s new hemp farming and solar power industries. Additionally, House Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) welcomed the group and addressed the major changes that have been brought about by legislation that was previously recommended by the council.
The council also met at the Plaza Arts Center in Eatonton from November 12-13. During this series of meetings, the council heard presentations about various health care related issues that impact rural Georgia. Area experts presented on rural physician shortages and recruiting new talent, as well as ways to provide chronic care management to areas with decreasing chronic care facilities. The council also discussed increased concerns regarding mental health among farmers and pathways for Alzheimer’s care expansion, among other health care related topics.
The House Rural Development Council, which was reauthorized by House Resolution 214 during the 2019 legislative session, will continue to work with rural communities to find ways to encourage economic growth.
For more information on HR 214, please click here.
For more information on the House Rural Development Council, please click here.
Representative Darlene Taylor represents the citizens of District 173, which includes Grady County and portions of Thomas and Decatur counties. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2010 and currently serves as Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Vice Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Vice Chairman of the Legislative & Congressional Reapportionment Committee. She also serves on the Agriculture & Consumer Affairs, Governmental Affairs, Information and Audits, Insurance, Public Safety & Homeland Security, Rules and Transportation committees.
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