ATLANTA – State Representative Gerald Greene (R-Cuthbert) today traveled to Americus to attend a meeting of the House of Representatives’ Rural Development Council. While in Americus, the council heard presentations from several area experts and stakeholders and discussed issues that impact rural Georgians, such as broadband expansion and solar energy.
“I have served on the House Rural Development Council since its inception in 2017, and we have accomplished a great deal of policy work in the last five years to benefit rural Georgians,” said Rep. Greene. “This council has truly paved the way for improved economic outcomes in rural Georgia, and we have delivered on our promise to support rural Georgia through our work thus far. However, as a resident of rural Georgia, I will never stop working to advance public policy that will best serve our rural areas and the citizens who call those areas home.”
The council traveled to Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus where members of the council heard presentations from agency heads, state and local leaders, industry experts and stakeholders on many issues that often impact rural Georgia. The meeting began with an update and cumulative report from The Center for Rural Prosperity and Innovation, which was created by the council to serve as a central information and research hub for rural leadership training and best practices.
Throughout the morning, there was a lengthy discussion on Georgia’s solar panel industry, with presentations from the Environmental Protection Division (EPD), the University of Georgia, Georgia EMC, Georgia Power, Georgia Large Scale Solar Association and Advanced Power Alliance and Lightstar Farming and Solar: Agrivoltaics for Georgia. Much of the discussion focused on leveraging a range of reliable energy sources while also moving towards alternative, renewable energy. Presenters touted that solar energy outperforms wind in Georgia, unlike the rest of the country, and that investment continues to spur both job growth and new tax revenue in rural areas. UGA also provided data that highlighted Georgia’s capacity to grow its solar industry, and Georgia EMC updated the council on state and nationwide funding opportunities. The EPD explained the state’s regulating and permitting process and different challenges with the installation process, such as the impact of Georgia soil. There was also discussion on how solar power expansion may impact rural Georgia’s agricultural farmland, which the Georgia Large Scale Solar Association and Advanced Power Alliance noted would be minimal. The council then heard from members of the Public Service Commission regarding Georgia’s natural gas and solar expansion in rural areas, and the Georgia Department of Transportation provided an update on developing the state’s electric vehicle (EV) charging station network and highlighted the nation’s advancements on EV infrastructure.
During the afternoon portion of the meeting, the council delved into broadband expansion efforts and received updates on infrastructure funding from the Georgia Technology Authority (GTA), AT&T and Windstream. AT&T representatives shared that fiber is now available in portions of more than 42 counties and 95 cities in Georgia, as well as nearly $5 billion that has been invested in wireless and wireline networks in the last three years alone. GTA provided updates on the state’s current and future rural broadband funding programs, such as the Capital Projects Fund grant program.
Additionally, House Ways & Means Chairman Shaw Blackmon (R-Bonaire) provided an overview of the General Assembly’s recent efforts to usher in tax reform for Georgians. The council also received updates from the Georgia Forestry Association, which noted that Georgia is the top forestry state in the nation. Finally, Valdosta State University provided an update on the university’s rural initiatives through its Center for South Georgia Regional Impact.
The House Rural Development Council, which was reauthorized by House Resolution 185 during the 2021 legislative session, will continue to work with rural communities to find ways to encourage economic growth.
For more information about the House Rural Development Council, please click here.
*Editor’s note: a photo of Rep. Greene at today’s meeting is attached.
Representative Gerald Greene represents the citizens of District 151, which includes Calhoun, Clay, Early, Quitman, Randolph, Stewart, Terrell and Webster counties, as well as portions of Dougherty County. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and currently serves as Chairman of the State Properties Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety, as well as the Economic Development & Tourism, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Retirement, Special Rules and Rules committees.
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