ATLANTA – A former South Georgia lawmaker has been tapped to spearhead a new push to grow the state’s struggling rural economies.

Gov. Nathan Deal announced Wednesday that Amy Carter will become deputy commissioner for rural Georgia, which is a new position evolving from the House Rural Development Council’s work.

“Our metropolitan areas like Atlanta and Savannah are economic engines, and we celebrate the success of those cities,” Carter said. “But we know rural Georgia isn’t experiencing the same prosperity.

“My job is going to be to serve as a champion of rural Georgia,” she said, adding that she wants to “help rural Georgia not only survive – but thrive.”

The move places someone in a state leadership position whose sole focus is creating jobs in rural Georgia.

As a deputy commissioner, Carter will make $155,000 a year. Her salary is part of nearly $740,000 added to next year’s proposed budget with the intention of bulking up the state Department of Economic Development’s efforts in rural Georgia.

“We need people who know something about rural life,” Rep. Penny Houston, R-Nashville, who chairs the House Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee, told lawmakers Wednesday.

Carter was a state representative for a decade, as well as a veteran educator, before resigning late last year to take a leadership role with the Technical College System of Georgia.

She’s only been in that job for two months, but Carter said Wednesday the experience with an organization focused on preparing the state’s workforce will inform her work as a deputy commissioner. She starts her new role March 15.

In the new gig, Carter said she will be the “eyes, ears and mouthpiece” for rural Georgia, working with both existing businesses and new prospects.

“When we’re out promoting our state and new industries are interested in coming our way, I’ll be the one at the table to speak on behalf of the communities I think would be best for these industries,” she said.

The governor appointed “one of our own” for the task, said Rep. Sam Watson, R-Moultrie, who chairs the legislative rural caucus and who is vice chair of the House Rural Development Council.

“I cannot think of a more qualified person who understands education in rural Georgia, who understands workforce development in rural Georgia, who understands this body and this legislative process and the resources we have as a state to improve rural Georgia,” Watson said from the House floor Wednesday.

“But most importantly, I don’t know anybody else who knows how better to raise a family and live and work in rural Georgia – and that’s the most important part,” Watson added.

When making the announcement, Deal said in a statement that “promoting the growth and success of rural Georgia is essential to securing a more prosperous state for generations to come.”

“(Carter’s) background will help her to improve education and workforce development in rural Georgia, two areas proven to be critical in generating significant investment and economic opportunities,” Deal added.

Carter said her first task will be to assess how the state Department of Economic Development’s existing six innovation centers, which focus on manufacturing, agribusiness and other key economic sectors in the state, might benefit rural communities.

As deputy commissioner, she will also work in tandem with a new rural prosperity and innovation center, should a measure creating that center survive the legislative process this session. That bill, which is sponsored by Rep. Jason Shaw, R-Lakeland, is awaiting Senate action.

Jill Nolin covers the Georgia Statehouse for The Valdosta Daily Times, CNHI’s newspapers and websites.