Governor Deal Talks Job Credits and Tax Cuts

Governor Nathan Deal echoed one goal at the annual Georgia Chamber of Commerce Eggs and Issues Breakfast-to make Georgia the number one place in the country to do business.

Tax cuts for the construction industry, rewards for small businesses, and millions for infrastructure top the governor’s priority list.

Early Tuesday morning in front of thousand Deal laid out his plan of cutting the state’s energy tax, granting sales tax exemptions for large scale construction projects, and restructuring the state’s job tax credits.

Deal proposes allowing small business that would create at least 15 new jobs to qualify for tax credits.

Dublin Mayor, Phil Best, says he’s excited about the governor’s incentives. “There’s a tremendous amount of small business in our area…if we could add that here and there that would be great,” says Best.

President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, Chris Clark adds, “This is really giving them something realistic that they can have money in the bank.”

Governor Deal is also urging local leaders to promote the TSPLOST. “I want to ask you for your vote and for your help in getting the word out to your family and to your friends,” says Deal.

State Representative Bubber Epps says there is no back up plan for the long lists of infrastructure projects across the state if the TSPLOST fails. Epps says, “if our state is going to meet all the challenges that’s been outlined then infrastructure is going to be the driving force.”

Deal’s 2012 budget includes millions to deepen the Port of Savannah, which local leaders say can easily translate into an economic tool for Middle Georgia.

“Deepening the Port means more containers coming up I-16. The Middle Georgia location is really a great location for a regional logistic hub,” says Macon Economic Development Commission Member Patrick Topping.

Deal says beating the competition with these incentives and cuts is the only way the state can start to see more money.