For the tenth consecutive year, revenue generated by Georgia’s forest industry has taken a jump. According to a new Georgia Tech report, the total economic output of the forest industry in 2020 rose to $39.1 billion, a 7.1% increase over the previous year. That number shows the impact of how forestry dollars from the sale of a wide variety of products, along with industry wages and salaries, circulate through the state to benefit Georgia.
“We take great pride in our abundant and beautiful natural resources in Georgia,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “This report reaffirms that our state continues to lead in all areas of the economy, including the critical forestry industry that provides or is a part of so many of the everyday items we use.”
The Enterprise Innovation Institute at the Georgia Institute of Technology produces the annual report, which also shows forestry provided the state with $706 million in tax revenue in 2020.
“These numbers reflect the health of our forests and our standing as the number one forestry state in the nation,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director Tim Lowrimore. “While the 2020 report shows a slight decrease in the total number of forest industry jobs in Georgia, overall, forestry ranks first in compensation across all manufacturing industries, rising 6.2 % over 2019 figures.”
Other highlights of the 2020 Georgia Tech report show:
- Georgia’s pulp and paper industry, including 11 pulp mills, continued to dominate all sectors within the forest industry.
- Urban and community forestry impacts, which are not included in other portions of the report, also showed strong performance. Total impacts were $6.5 billion.
- Wages and salaries in the forest industry totaled $9.1 billion in 2020, up 5.8% from 2019.
“Georgians benefit tremendously from keeping our forests healthy and productive,” said Lowrimore. “Our goal is to keep this precious resource sustainable for every person – in the new year ahead, and for generations to come.”
See the full report below.
Economic-Benefits-of-the-Forestry-Industry-in-Georgia-2020 ga forestry
