Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp Nov. 1 announced a proposal redirecting $100 million to the Georgia Development Authority, providing disaster relief for farmers and timber producers impacted by Hurricane Helene. The funding will provide essential financial assistance to these sectors until businesses begin to recover or other aid is made available.

"As Georgia's No. 1 industry continues on the road to recovery from Hurricane Helene, I'm thankful our partners on all levels, including the GSFIC board, are working with us to provide relief to those who put food on our tables and provide the materials that build our communities," Kemp in a written statement. "This measure is the latest we've taken to help them rebuild their livelihoods, but it will not be the last. We'll continue to work with stakeholders on all levels to direct resources and support to the hardworking Georgians devastated by this storm."

Of the $100 million, $75 million will provide disaster relief loans to those in the agriculture industry and $25 million will provide disaster relief to those in the timber industry to support cleanup efforts and debris removal on timberland as well as the enhancement of fire control measures.

Hurricane Helene will cost Georgia’s agricultural economy at least $6.46 billion, according to a preliminary report from the University of Georgia. The $6.46 billion impact is more than double the estimated losses caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018, which was the most devastating storm in recent history at that time.

Forty-plus agriculture industry organizations, led by the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Georgia Farm Bureau and Georgia Foundation for Agriculture, created the Weathered But Strong: Georgia Hurricane Relief Fund. All the donations to the fund will go to help impacted Georgia farmers recover from Hurricane Helene. More information is available at www.supportgeorgiafarmers.org.