Cobb Reporter

As Georgia’s forestry industry continues to see revenue growth each year, it is quickly becoming a key driver in the state’s economy, according to the governor.

While trumpeting the success of the state’s economy overall, Gov. Brian Kemp (R) has become a cheerleader for the forestry industry, which reportedly generated $706 million in tax revenue for the state in 2020, according to AllOnGeorgia.

“Georgia continues to lead in all areas of the economy, including the critical forestry industry that provides, or is a part of, so many of the everyday items we use," Kemp said in a Jan. 18 Facebook post. "It is no surprise that revenue has leaped for the 10th year in a row."

Gov. Brian Kemp | Facebook/Gov. Brian Kemp

Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore said that the numbers are a clear indicator of Georgia’s position as the top forestry state in the country. Despite a slight drop in forestry jobs in the 2020 report, Lowrimore said the state’s forestry industry is tops in compensation. 

According to the AllOneGeorgia, the industry is a key cog in the state’s economy, as revenue from a range of product, along with the wages of employees in the industry, benefits the state financially. The state’s forestry industry saw its total economic output increase to $39.1 billion in 2020, up 7.1% from 2019.  

The state’s pulp and paper industry includes 11 pulp mills and plays a key role in the state’s forest industry, while the urban and community forestry industry has a financial impact of up to $6.5 billion. The  industry also generated wages and salaries totaling $9.1 billion in 2020, up nearly 6% from the previous year, according to AllOnGeorgia. All of this is good reason to protect Georgia's natural resource for future generations.