New disaster relief measure approved for Ga. farmers

Source: GA Farm Bureau

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp recently announced that the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) has unanimously approved a proposal redirecting $100 million to the Georgia Development Authority (GDA) for the purpose of providing disaster relief financial support for farmers and debris cleanup for timber producers impacted by Hurricane Helene. This funding will provide essential financial assistance to these sectors until businesses begin to recover or other aid is made available.

Forestry received much damage due to Hurricane Helene.

Image Credit - GA Farm Bureau

“As Georgia's No. 1 industry continues on the road to recovery from Hurricane Helene, I’m thankful our partners on all levels, including the GSFIC board, are working with us to provide relief to those who put food on our tables and provide the materials that build our communities,” Kemp said. “This measure is the latest we’ve taken to help them rebuild their livelihoods, but it will not be the last. We’ll continue to work with stakeholders on all levels to direct resources and support to the hardworking Georgians devastated by this storm.”

The Amended FY 2024 and the FY 2025 appropriations bills (HB 915 and HB 916) established a Capital Projects Fund program to provide direct cash appropriations to GSFIC for the purpose of financing capital projects. At a Nov. 1 called meeting of GSFIC, a proposal was submitted to redirect a total of $100 million of funds to the GDA to create a new fund providing disaster relief. Of the $100 million, $75 million will provide disaster relief loans to those in the agriculture industry and $25 million will provide disaster relief to those in the timber industry to support cleanup efforts and debris removal on timberland as well as the enhancement of fire control measures.

Contributing approximately $83.6 billion each year to Georgia’s economy, disruptions in the agribusiness industry can have a negative spillover effect in other areas of employment and commerce. A preliminary report from the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences estimated agricultural damages from Hurricane Helene will cost Georgia’s economy at least $6.46 billion, representing the sum of direct crop losses, losses to businesses that support agriculture and forestry, losses to workers in those related industries, and estimated recovery and restoration costs that agricultural businesses will face. The $6.46 billion impact is more than double the estimated losses causes by Hurricane Michael in 2018, which was the most devastating storm in recent history at that time.

“Help is on the way for thousands of Georgia farmers, producers, and timber operators who need immediate assistance to recover from Hurricane Helene,” said Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper. “Here in Georgia, we are taking action to support our farm families and our state’s No. 1 industry.”

Harper said the state will continue to work to deliver federal aid to the state’s farmers.

In addition to this measure, Kemp previously joined state and Congressional partners in calling for federal relief funds in the form of block grants to benefit farmers impacted by Hurricane Helene. These block grant funds should allow for quick and direct assistance to those affected without bureaucratic delay. Kemp and a bipartisan coalition of stakeholders will continue to urge swift federal action until all affected communities receive the attention and help they deserve.