State Representative Lynn Smith (R-Newnan) recently traveled to the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (PCOM) South Georgia campus in Moultrie to attend meetings of the House of Representatives’ Rural Development Council. The two-day meetings focused on economic and workforce development.

“These House Rural Development Council meetings took a very serious look into the various challenges that often prevent rural Georgia from reaching its full economic potential,” said Rep. Smith. “We heard several great presentations at these meetings which will help guide us as we continue to pour legislative support into rural Georgia to create more job opportunities and build a more robust workforce.”

During the meetings, the council explored various ways increase economic and workforce opportunities through secondary education, job tax credit programs and implementing broadband expansion in rural areas. The council heard presentations from representatives of PCOM South Georgia, local government officials and various state agencies, such as the Department of Community Affairs, Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Environmental Finance Authority and Technical College System of Georgia.

The next meeting of the House Rural Development Council will be October 29 – 30 in Camden County.

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.