The Georgia House Rural Development Council met at South Georgia Technical College recently to talk about workforce development in rural Georgia. South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford welcomed the group and he also talked about higher education challenges and successes in rural Georgia.
Chairmen of the Georgia House of Representatives 2019 -2020 House Rural Development Council Sam Watson from District 172, and Rick Jasperse from District 11, opened the meeting and thanked Dr. Watford for allowing the group to meet on the SGTC campus. State Representative Mike Cheokas was also given the opportunity to welcome the group to Americus.
Georgia Southwestern State University President Dr. Neal Weaver was also asked to share some highlights about Georgia Southwestern State University.
House speaker David Ralston met with the RDC group and stressed how important giving every Georgian the same opportunity to education, careers, and quality of life regardless of their zip code. He thanked the Council for their hard work and for hosting these meetings throughout rural Georgia.
Lorren E. S. Walker, Chief of Staff, United States Department of Agriculture addressed the group and talked about the USDA Industrial Hemp Regulations. Barbara Mitchell and Hill Mort of Magnolia Manor were asked to speak on Nursing Homes.
Kevin Clark, Executive Director of the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority talked about broadband funding in rural Georgia and Water and Sewer funding. Christopher Nunn, Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs was asked to speak on the regional commission structure.
South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford was asked to talk about higher education challenges and successes in rural Georgia. He shared about the importance of partnerships and apprenticeship programs, as well as how partnerships operate at South Georgia Technical College to enhance technical education.