Georgia’s economy is linked to the environment, Gov. Nathan Deal said Thursday, as he presented an environmental address for Gwinnett Clean and Beautiful.
“It is important to have an environment that is clean and beautiful because that’s what people and businesses want,” Deal said, adding that companies often consider sustainability and the natural environment when choosing where to locate or expand businesses and that green jobs are helping drop the state’s unemployment rate.
“We are a state that is blessed with many things, abundant rainful, very luxurious mountains and forests and great state parks,” Deal told a crowd of more than 1,000 gathered at the Gwinnett Center. “We have a lot to be proud of about our natural beauty.”
While the nonprofit’s annual governor’s address has taken a five-year hiatus, one issue has lingered over the years: water.
Deal said Thursday that the state is once again facing a lawsuit with Florida over water supply, and that he will continue to be vigilant to make sure that Gwinnett receives credit for its efforts to return reclaimed wastewater to Lake Lanier, an endeavor that cost millions and should be a factor in allocating out the resource.
But that body of water is not his only concern. Deal spent time talking about the proposed expansion of the port of Savannah, expressing his disappointment that the president did not include funding for the project.
Georgia plans to keep working, Deal said, with nearly a third of the project’s $652 million budget set aside in state funding.
via Gov. Deal says Georgia’s environment and jobs linked | Gwinnett Daily Post.
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