Georgia’s forest products industry stands at a pivotal moment. With over 24 million acres of forestland generating $59 billion in annual economic impact, the state’s working forests represent a cornerstone of rural prosperity and a proving ground for next-generation forest investment strategies.

The foundation of Georgia’s competitive advantage rests on what industry leaders call strategic alignment: state agencies, legislative leadership and industry working in concert to position Georgia as the premier destination for forest products investment in North America.

“Georgia’s collaborative approach recognizes that healthy forests and healthy forest economies aren’t competing interests,” said Tim Lowrimore, president and CEO of the Georgia Forestry Association. “When institutional investors look ​at forest sector investment, Georgia consistently ranks at the top for predictability and long-term value creation.”

This alignment didn’t emerge by accident. It’s the product of sustained partnership and shared vision, creating what amounts to a permission structure for long-term capital deployment in rural communities.

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"The House understands that 24 million acres of working forests translate to good-paying jobs in
every corner of this state. We’ve consistently supported infrastructure investments, tax policies and workforce development programs which signal to investors that Georgia is serious about maintaining its position as the top state for forestry in the nation.”
— Jon Burns, Speaker, Georgia House of Representatives

​THE POLICY ARCHITECTURE

The Georgia State Assembly has been instrumental in advancing legislative priorities that support forestry infrastructure and economic development.

“For generations, the forestry sector has sustained rural Georgia’s communities and families,” said Speaker Jon
Burns. “The House understands that 24 million acres of working forests translate to good-paying jobs in every corner of this state. We’ve consistently supported infrastructure investments, tax policies and workforce development programs which signal to investors that Georgia is serious about maintaining its position as the top state for forestry in the nation.”

The machinery of support extends across multiple state agencies, each playing a distinct role. The Georgia Forestry
Commission provides technical expertise and wildfire protection that reduces operational risk. The Department of Natural Resources ensures Georgia’s natural assets remain productive for generations.

The Department of Economic Development actively markets Georgia’s forestry advantages to domestic and international investors. And the Georgia Department of Transportation underpins the system by maintaining the infrastructure that moves forest products from rural landscapes to mills, ports and global markets.

“In the past five years, we’ve announced over $2 billion in forest products manufacturing investments across Georgia,” said Pat Wilson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “From mill expansions to modernizations and innovations, these projects represent votes of confidence in Georgia’s future.

When international companies choose Georgia over competing states, they’re betting on our high-skilled workforce, our robust logistics infrastructure and our consistent policy stability. We’ve worked hard to earn that reputation, and we work harder to keep it.”

Walter Rabon, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), emphasized the state’s commitment to productive landscapes.

“The most sustainable forests are working forests,” said Rabon. “Our approach at DNR has always been science- based and collaborative. Georgia proves you can have both robust stewardship and a thriving forest economy. The key is maintaining clear, consistent standards that protect water quality, wildlife habitat and forest health while allowing
private landowners and companies to manage their lands productively.”

Georgia Department of Transportation Commissioner Russell R. McMurry has a deep appreciation for the forestry industry, having grown up in the woods with a father who was a forester, and recognizes the importance of sound transportation infrastructure for an industry defined by freight and rural connectivity.

“Georgia’s competitiveness starts with the fundamentals: a reliable and well-maintained transportation network.
This includes connections to our ports, railroads and intermodal hubs, and for forestry in particular, those rural routes that connect forest to mills and processors,” said McMurry. “Georgia’s business climate depends on reliable infrastructure, and that means continuing to invest in maintenance, advancing safety innovations, and delivering
projects that support both rural and urban economies. Georgia will remain disciplined, collaborative and focused on
outcomes, and as a result will continue to lead — and Georgia industries like forestry will continue to thrive.”

When investors evaluate Georgia’s forest sector, they know they’re investing in a state where
professional forestry is the norm, not the exception.”
— Johnny Sabo, Director and State Forester, Georgia Forestry Commission

CAPITAL FLOWS AND RURAL OPPORTUNITY
Access to capital remains a defining factor in the industry’s evolution. Mill modernization projects often require significant financial investment. Georgia’s track record of infrastructure investment, workforce development and inter-agency coordination has made these projects attractive even as other southeastern states compete to attract comparable
commitments.

Johnny Sabo, director and state forester of the Georgia Forestry Commission, highlights the foundational support his
agency provides.

“The Georgia Forestry Commission provides something invaluable to investors: certainty,” Sabo said. “Our wildfire
protection covers the entire state. Our foresters provide technical assistance that helps landowners maximize long-term
productivity. Our Best Management Practices are nationally recognized. When investors evaluate Georgia’s forest sector, they know they’re investing in a state where professional forestry is the norm, not the exception.”

Rural communities are the primary beneficiaries. Modern mills create skilled manufacturing jobs in counties where
investment options have traditionally been limited. The ripple effects extend through local economies: logging contractors, equipment dealers, transportation networks and service businesses all benefit from a thriving forest products sector.

​EMERGING MARKET FRONTIERS
Beyond traditional timber markets, Georgia is positioning itself at the forefront of several emerging opportunities.
Carbon markets, still in their formative stages, could provide new revenue streams for landowners practicing sustainable forestry. Export growth continues to accelerate as global demand for sustainable wood products rises.

Technology adoption represents another frontier. Precision forestry tools, advanced manufacturing systems and biomaterials research are transforming what’s possible in the woods and at the mill. Georgia’s research universities and technical colleges are ensuring the workforce can operate these next-generation systems.

“We’re watching carbon and renewable-products markets mature in real time, and Georgia landowners are positioned
to benefit significantly,” said Lowrimore. “Combine that with record export demand and you have a convergence of opportunities we haven’t seen in a generation.”

The state’s economic development strategy explicitly recognizes these emerging sectors. Tax incentives for advanced manufacturing, investments in port infrastructure and support for research partnerships all signal Georgia’s commitment to capturing the next wave of forest products innovation.
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"The policies we enact today determine whether rural communities will thrive not just today, but for generations to come.”
—Jon Burns, Speaker, Georgia House of Representatives

THE LONG VIEW
The forest products industry operates on biological timelines. Trees planted today won’t be harvested for decades. This temporal mismatch between investment and return demands uncommon policy vision and economic foresight.

Georgia’s leadership understands this calculus. By investing in rural infrastructure, supporting workforce development
and fostering collaboration between agencies and industry, the state has created conditions where long-term forest
investment makes economic sense.

“When we think about Georgia’s future, we’re thinking in terms of decades, not election cycles,” Speaker Burns emphasized. “The policies we enact today determine whether rural communities will thrive not just today,
but for generations to come. That’s why the Georgia House has consistently maintained support for forestry initiatives,
because economic security for our communities depends on it.”
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The question facing Georgia isn’t whether forests will remain economically important — the global demand for sustainable wood products ensures they will. The question is whether the state will maintain the policy framework
and investment climate that keeps capital flowing to rural Georgia, sustaining communities and working landscapes
alike for generations to come.

The overwhelming evidence suggests Georgia is committed to exactly that. Throughout state leadership, there’s
recognition that the forest products industry is a growth industry positioned at the intersection of rural development,
renewable product solutions and advanced manufacturing. That’s a story worth investing in. ■

John Casey is a strategic communications professional who supports clients through the art of storytelling. In his downtime, John can be found hunting and fishing on his family’s centennial farm in Northwest Georgia.
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