Georgia's state government has approved the diversion of $100 million to provide loans to farmers and aid in the cleanup efforts following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The decision was made by the Georgia State Financing and Investment Commission, which voted unanimously to reallocate the funds that were initially designated for construction projects or debt repayment.
After Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on September 26, it caused significant damage in the eastern part of Georgia, resulting in an estimated $6.46 billion in economic losses for the state's agriculture and forestry sectors. Cotton, pecan, and chicken farmers, as well as private timberland owners, suffered severe losses, with the damage being described as a 'generational loss' by state officials.
