Development Authority to attend hearing for GA House Rural Development Council

During the Stephens County Development Authority meeting yesterday, Executive Director Tim Martin gave a report on the work force in Stephens County, which he says continues to be a big challenge.

Martin said that House Speaker David Ralston has appointed a 15-member committee known as the Georgia House Rural Development Council.

“Those 15 members plus associated staff and others are touring the state in summer and fall asking rural communities what their thoughts are on policies, programs, procedures that the state can adopt to help rural communities survive and thrive,” said Martin. “They’ve had one hearing in Tifton, they’re having their second hearing in June in Toccoa. The  mayor and Vice Chairman Michelle Ivester are going to kick of that program.”

Toccoa Mayor Jeanette Jameison said that it’s important for this committee to come and hear what rural communities have to say about the problems they’re facing.

“I think it’s important, I think they need to hear exactly what our challenges are,” said Jameison. “We all want the community to look good, but we’re like every other community, we’ve got challenges. We know it’s labor, we know it’s housing, then why is it labor? Is it drugs, what is it? They need to hear this because there’s several things the state can do that would have a state wide effect and could help address these problems.”

The hearing is on Thursday, June 15 and members from the Stephens County Development Authority will be attending.