Georgia officials agree to spend $100 million to help farmers and forestry after Hurricane Helen

ATLANTA (AP) — The Georgia government is sending $100 million toward farm loans and cleanup. Hurricane Helen.

The Georgia Finance and Investment Commission voted unanimously Friday to use money that had been set aside for construction projects or paying off existing debt.

Last month, officials estimated that the hurricane, which caused extensive damage in eastern half of the state after making landfall on September 26 in Florida, caused economic losses of $6.46 billion. in agriculture and forestry in the state.

Cotton, pecan and chicken farmers suffered severe losses, as did private timberland owners. Lt. Gov. Bert Jones and others called the damage a “generational loss.”

The Georgia Extension Authority, a state agency that lends to farmers, will receive $75 million to provide disaster relief loans to farmers and related businesses in the agriculture industry. The remaining $25 million will be spent clearing lost timber and other debris, said Garrison Douglas, a spokesman for Gov. Brian Kemp.

Because Georgia was dump excess cashit paid for construction projects in cash instead of the traditional method of selling bonds to obtain loans. Douglas said $100 million was set aside for future expenses, but it was not allocated to any projects already underway.

Because Georgia ended last year with a $2 billion surplus, lawmakers may be able to replace $100 million when they amend the current budget during the 2025 legislative session that begins in January.

The state has not spent this kind of money since Hurricane Michael in 2018. The damage Helen caused to agriculture is estimated to be more than twice as expensive as the damage caused by Michael. The previous storm was followed by federal fight for help this delayed aid to farmers. Georgia itself spent over $470 million about loans and recovery after Michael.

“We realized we could do it,” Douglas said of the $100 million. Kemp and other state leaders say they will consider providing additional benefits both when the General Assembly meets in January and through administrative action before then.

“We will continue to work with stakeholders at all levels to direct resources and support to hardworking Georgians impacted by this storm,” Kemp said in a statement Friday.

Kemp, Georgia House Speaker John Burns and others are calling on Congress to quickly act on a relief package for Hurricanes Helen and Milton. They are asking Congress to provide block grants to states, which states can then pass on to farmers for recovery purposes. Burns is calling for similar block grants that states could use to repair damaged infrastructure and help private businesses and citizens.

“This measure will provide needed financial relief to farmers and foresters as we continue to work with our federal partners to ensure all available assets and resources are available to Georgians impacted by this disaster,” Burns said in a statement.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said Thursday it has already spent $1.3 billion on direct aid to people affected by Helen and Hurricane Milton. FEMA spent more than $1.1 billion on debris removal and emergency protection measures.

The Georgia government itself cannot provide direct aid to people and private businesses because the state constitution prohibits what it calls gratuities—what most people would call gifts. Georgia Agribusiness Council President Will Bentley told a state Senate committee Monday that a constitutional amendment to allow direct disaster assistance is needed.

In addition to Kemp, Burns and Jones, other commissioners who voted on the spending included state Auditor Greg Griffin, Attorney General Chris Carr, Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and state Treasurer Steve McCoy.

The Georgia Development Authority plans to meet Monday in Macon to begin spending the $100 million.