(The Center Square) – The Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission agreed Friday to a proposed $100 million relief plan to help Georgia’s agriculture community recover from Hurricane Helene.
The funding would come from the Capital Projects Fund program included in the amended budgets for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The General Assembly allocated the funds to the commission for capital projects, according to Gov. Brian Kemp’s office.
The proposal would redirect $75 million to a loan program for the agriculture industry and $25 million to the timber industry for cleanup efforts.
“While we are still evaluating the full impact and devastation from Hurricane Helene, we are certain that members of our farming and timber producing communities have experienced generational loss,” said Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. “This $100 million investment builds on the efforts already underway by many to help their neighbors recover and rebuild, one step at a time.”
Agriculture is the state’s top industry, bringing in $83.6 billion annually, according to Kemp’s office.
A report from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences says Hurricane Helene caused an estimated $6.46 billion of losses to the industry.
“This measure will provide necessary financial relief to farmers and foresters as we continue to work alongside our federal partners to secure every available asset and resource for the Georgians impacted by this disaster,” said House Speaker Jon Burns.
The full commission will vote on the proposal Monday when it meets in Macon, according to Burns’ office.
“This measure is the latest we’ve taken to help them rebuild their livelihoods, but it will not be the last,” Kemp said. “We’ll continue to work with stakeholders on all levels to direct resources and support to the hardworking Georgians devastated by this storm.”
