TIFTON — Republican gubernatorial candidate Brian Kemp made Tifton a stop on Oct. 3 during the latest leg of his “Putting Georgians First” bus tour of the state.

Kemp stopped first for a meet and greet at the Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce where he addressed a crowd of supporters.

Kemp later stopped by the Rural Prosperity Summit and addressed the attendees.

“Brian understands rural Georgia and the challenges we face every day,” Brian Marlowe, Tifton-Tift County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO said. “Brian shares our values and beliefs. He will listen to our concerns and work with us to implement a plan of action to address those concerns.”

Kemp said that he was glad to be in Tifton and thanked the chamber for giving him a platform to get his message out.

Kemp touted his record as Georgia Secretary of State and that he has visited every county in Georgia during his tenure.

“That’s helped me learn about the challenges and incredible opportunities that exist in every part of our state,” Kemp said. “I realized, like many of you do, that rural Georgia doesn’t have the same opportunities. Our big cities are growing but it still feels like the great recession exists in some parts of our state.”

He then explained his plan to promote rural Georgia, including improving access to health care; cutting regulations and streamlining government to promote business; promoting Georgia’s agriculture internationally; bringing high-speed internet to rural Georgia; and supporting education, particularly literacy, as well as attracting teachers, particularly to rural areas, by giving teachers a pay raise.

Follow Eve Copeland on Twitter @EveCopelandTTG.