WHAT IS REFERENDUM A?
Referendum A will provide an annual ad valorem (property) tax exemption for equipment used for managing, harvesting and replanting forests, an exemption that has been extended to owners of farm equipment for decades. This legislation received strong bi-partisan support in the State Legislature, and now requires approval from Georgia voters. Visit www.letsgrowgeorgia.org to learn more.
WHO DOES IT IMPACT?
Referendum A impacts small forestry business owners and landowners throughout Georgia, including land managers, reforestation contractors and loggers. This exemption will apply to more than 1,200 small businesses that directly support over 5,400 jobs.
WHY VOTING ‘YES’ IS IMPORTANT?
Supporting Referendum A supports the sustainable management of Georgia’s top natural resource. At the local level, landowners and forestry businesses are a driving force of the economy, providing good paying jobs, increased investments and tax revenue that is supporting a quality of life in communities throughout the state.
Small forestry businesses are under an extreme amount of economic pressure due to rising operational costs, supply chain constraints and labor challenges. In 2022, logging companies have seen an average cost increase of $2.50/ton of wood harvested, which translates into an estimated $7,500 per week for an average small forestry business. Voting ‘YES’ will provide economic relief for our small forestry businesses who are vital to the sustainability of our forests and the economic future of rural communities.
Click here to learn about the impact of forestry in your region
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
Ninety percent of Georgia’s forests, which cover two-thirds of the land area of the state, are privately owned. Much of that land is owned and managed by tens of thousands of private, non-industrial landowners whose stewardship serves to clean our water and air while providing valuable wildlife habitat and outdoor recreation. In addition to the environmental services they provide, trees from private forests are converted to more than 5,000 household products. The forestry industry provides 140,000 jobs and $39 billion in economic activity. Learn more about the economic and environmental impact of Georgia’s forests at www.gfagrow.org/numberone.