CHRISTIE MOORE: Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber supports business friendly bills

Published 1:21 pm Friday, February 23, 2024

Last Monday marked the mid-way point of the 2024 regular session of the Georgia General Assembly. As is always the case as crossover day (the last day that bills may be transmitted from one house to the other) approaches, the activity level under the Gold Dome is ratcheting up. The Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce has adopted a pro-business, pro-Valdosta-Lowndes County legislative agenda and we are working closely with partners such as the HUB Chamber Council (a working policy council comprised of the leaders of 11 metropolitan chambers of commerce across Georgia) and the Georgia Chamber of Commerce to support legislation that strengthens Georgia’s position as the top state in the nation in which to do business. This year marks the tenth consecutive year that Georgia has received this designation. The only way to ensure that the Peach State remains the best state for business is through common sense, pro-business policy decisions that support expanded investments in rural communities and by eliminating barriers that impact our state’s workforce. There are two pieces of legislation that address both of these issues head on.

House Bill 880, sponsored by Representative Bethany Ballard (R-Warner Robins) is aimed at dramatically reducing the time it takes for a military spouse who works in a profession that requires licensure and is currently licensed to work in another state to receive licensure to practice their profession in the State of Georgia. Currently, it can take up to a year for the State of Georgia to grant licensure when someone moves from another state. This bill would allow military spouses to begin working immediately upon moving to Georgia and would put into place a mechanism by which they would receive an expedited license within 20 days of submitting the required application including proper documentation. As a military community, this bill is very important to Valdosta-Lowndes County and we encourage the General Assembly to pass this legislation as soon as possible.

House Bill 1134, sponsored by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Savannah) would extend and expand the financial impact of the state’s historic tax credit. The historic tax credit provides an income tax credit that allows for the preservation and rehabilitation of historic structures. The credit can be used to spur investment in historic commercial properties as well as historic homes. In the Valdosta-Lowndes County community there are numerous projects, both commercial and residential, that have utilized these credits to revitalize business districts and residential areas significantly increasing the amount of private investment in our area. The economic development benefits to Georgia’s economy more than offsets the relatively small impact of the historic tax credit. We support this bill and are proud to lend our voices to chambers of commerce across Georgia who support its passage.

These are just a couple examples of how the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce is engaged and working with local business leaders to create a climate of growth and investment. These pieces of legislation have immediate impacts on our local businesses and citizens and we are committed to working with local leaders to help ensure that we remain a community where our airmen and their families feel welcomed and supported and where businesses want to invest in revitalization and growth.

Christie Moore is President-CEO of the Valdosta-Lowndes Chamber of Commerce.