State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) was recently appointed by Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) to serve as an ex-officio member of the House Rural Development Council for the 2019-2020 legislative term. Rep. Smith was also appointed by Speaker Ralston to the House Working Group on Creative Arts & Entertainment during the 2019 legislative session.

“I am grateful to Speaker Ralston for appointing me to serve on such a hardworking group like the House Rural Development Council,” said Rep Smith. “I am excited to work alongside my colleagues on the Council, who are leading the charge to address economic needs and improve the quality of life in our rural areas.”

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 the remainder of the 2019-2020 legislative term, the council will travel to different rural areas in the state to consult with local officials and policy experts and develop legislative solutions that will confront the challenges that hinder rural economies. The Council began its work in 2017. Since then, the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia State Senate have passed a total of 12 pieces of legislation aimed at boosting economies in rural Georgia, including seven bills during the 2019 legislative session alone.

The House Working Group on Creative Arts & Entertainment will work with state agencies and stakeholders to bolster investment and job creation in Georgia by the film, television, music and video game production industries among other creative industries. Combined, these industries employ 200,000 Georgians and generate more than $60 billion of economic activity in the state each year. The working group is authorized for the entirety of the 2019-2020 legislative term.

“Coweta County has long been a leader in in the creative arts and entertainment arena, and for this reason, I am especially honored to be a member of the House Working Group on Creative Arts & Entertainment,” added Rep. Smith. “The working group is currently focused on exploring ways to expand film industry job opportunities in the post-production market. Our community is already actively developing the high school talent necessary to join this workforce through Central Education Center (CEC), the Coweta County School System and West Georgia Technical College and their Career Academy. With the legislative efforts of this working group, Coweta County can further its development of a creative workforce in the arts and entertainment industries.”