ATLANTA — Georgia has approved $100 million in state Helene relief funding for farmers and timber producers.
The announcement was made Friday by Gov. Brian Kemp and other state officials. The economic damage from Helene in Georgia has been estimated at nearly $6.5 billion, according to a release from the governor's office.
The $100 million in funding is being drawn from appropriates earmarked for the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission (GSFIC) to be redirected to the Georgia Development Authority. Of the money, $75 million is being set aside for disaster relief loans to those in the agriculture industry and $$25 million is being set aside for disaster relief to the timber industry and cleanup efforts/debris removal.
"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," Gov. Kemp said in a statement. "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."
According to a release by the governor's office, the Georgia Development Authority will meet on Monday at 11 a.m. in Macon to make plans on how to disburse the money.
The $100 million earmarked for GSFIC was originally for "the purpose of financing capital projects" as part of Amended Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025 appropriations bills. GSFIC approved a proposal at a meeting on Friday to redirect $100 million of that money to the Georgia Development Authority for a specific disaster relief fund.
"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 in a statement. "Here in Georgia, we are taking action to support our farm families and our state’s No. 1 industry. I want to thank Governor Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Jones, Speaker Burns, and the many others who are working tirelessly on behalf of our farmers, and I look forward to continuing our work together to deliver additional federal aid as quickly as possible."