AMERICUS — Estimated losses from Hurricane Michael for Georgia’s number-one economic driver, the agriculture sector, are more than $2.5 billion, according to experts at the University of Georgia.
In an effort to help the state’s ag economy recover, Danny Minick, executive vice president of Citizens Bank of Americus, led a group representing the banking industry as part of a broad coalition of farm and business interests visiting the Georgia Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C., last week.
The purpose of the trip was to encourage quick action on much-needed federal disaster resources to producers and the agriculture sector. More than a dozen meetings were held with members of the House congressional delegation, both of Georgia’s U.S. senators and committee staff. Minick’s participation stemmed from his leadership of a working group of Georgia Bankers Association members that developed a proposal to tweak parts of last year’s Wildfire and Hurricanes Indemnity Program (WHIP) based on lessons learned. He was the point person for explaining the proposal to lawmakers and staff during the meetings.
“We have producers that are still waiting for payments from last year’s hurricane and for many, the payments are far short of expectations,” said Minick. “We lenders need certainty about the resources our producers will have available when we start working with them to put their operating lines in place early next year. We were pleased with the response to our recommendations, and hope some will be implemented.”
Joining Minick in Washington, D.C., were GBA’s Senior Vice President of Government Relations Elizabeth Chandler, and GBA President and CEO Joe Brannen.
“Danny’s commitment and leadership toward helping Georgia’s farmers recover from this historic storm is a prime example of the lengths Georgia bankers frequently go to on behalf of their customers and their state,” Brannen said.
“We are very proud of Danny’s leadership in this effort to secure disaster relief for our farmers affected by Hurricane Michael. His efforts are a testament to our bank’s commitment to serving the interests of agriculture in our community and the state of Georgia,” said Rick Whaley, president/CEO of Citizens Bank of Americus.
The Georgia Farm Bureau coordinated the visits. Other organizations represented were the Georgia Agribusiness Council, Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia Cotton Commission, Georgia Peanut Commission, Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, and the Georgia Department of Agriculture.