Governor Nathan Deal delivered his final State of the State address earlier today. Deal touted the state’s economic recovery since the Great Recession.
”Seven years ago, Georgia’s unemployment rate stood at 10.4 percent. Since then, we have created roughly 675,000 new, private sector jobs and our unemployment rate is at its lowest level in over 10 years at just 4.3 percent,” according to Deal.
Deal also praised the work of the Georgia Department of Economic Development’s Global Commerce team that helped to generate $6.33 billion in investment.
“That outstanding growth is a result of 377 expansions and locations that cover every region of the state. Many people think that economic development projects are only happening in the Metro Atlanta region, but in fact, 80 percent of fiscal year 2017 locations took place outside the Metro Atlanta region.”
The 73-year governor also highlighted education spending during his tenure.
“We have increased education spending by $3.6 billion dollars over the last seven years, which includes my final budget proposal, making the total education expenditure during my time as governor roughly $14 billion. “
Among the other points addressed, the growth of the state’s film industry, and increased funding to state technical colleges. He did not mention possible state tax cuts, Medicaid, health care or concern over the Trump administration’s decision to allow offshore drilling.
