The Augusta Courier

State Wide Distribution Of Industry Advocated By Vandiver

Spread Of Payrolls Needed To Give More Jobs And Strengthen Counties Economically

The people of Georgia have just scratched the surface in the development of their industrial and agricultural potentialities, according to Lieutenant Governor Ernest Vandiver.

In a speech to the American Legion in Douglas, Georgia, June 13, 1958, he said:

"We must move forward with increased effort and with added vigor to assure our State's rightful place in the future industrial and agricultural economy of the nation."

Over Wide Area

The Lieutenant Governor takes a view that industry should be distributed over the State so as to give steady employment to people in the area where they live.

And then the Lieutenant Governor said:

During the past ten or more years it has been my privilege to travel over Georgia, to speak before many different groups and organizations and to meet with thousands of our people from all walks of life. This has been a stimulating and inspiring experience for me.

We have talked over common problems: we have discussed mutual hopes for the advancement of educational, agricultural and industrial opportunities and how we can best work together to insure a prosperous, happy and productive future for our children, our neighbors and ourselves.

Industrial Growth

To anyone traveling over this great State of ours, one important fact becomes clear.

The trend of industrial growth to Georgia, after many years' labor on the part of all our people, is now well-established.

It is certain that the surface has only been scratched in this regard.

Only a fraction of vast potentialities of our State have been realized.

Must Move Forward

But, we cannot afford to rest upon the accomplishments of the past.

We must move forward with increased effort and with added vigor to assure our State's rightful high place in the future industrial and agricultural economy of the nation.

It is a matter of deep concern to me that some of our counties, through no fault of their own, are losing population and that this loss of people is causing a decrease in business activity.

Shortage of Jobs

Because of a shortage of jobs in some of our communities, young people and others are having to pick up their families and move to areas where they can make a living.

This is a matter to which all Georgians should devote thought and effort no matter whether they reside in urban or rural areas.

It is a matter of common sense that we should move in every way to buttress the economy of every section of our State. If we do not, a decline in business or farm activity in one section will inevitably affect another.

True Prosperity

I am one of those who believes that prosperity is something which should be shared by all segments of the population, for there can be no true prosperity unless farmers, city dwellers, factory workers, white collar workers and all other lines of endeavor receive a fair return for their labors in terms of purchasing power.

Georgia must continue unabated her efforts to improve the State's agriculture and to make her farms more productive.

Georgia must move to coordinate and to accelerate the efforts of all industrial groups within the State to secure sound industrial development and to make every effort to assure a proper diversification of this new productive capacity.

New Industries

The desirable end to be obtained location of suitable new industries in those communities which do not have payrolls and need them to stabilize their present economy.

There are many ways in which your State government can be of substantial help to both our counties and our municipalities in the quest for new industries, new jobs and new payrolls.

There should be constant, active cooperation among officials at all levels of