Cotton is produced on Georgia farms that are part of rural community economies. Rural communities have fewer economic development alternatives than do community economies with higher population density and a broader industrial base. Communities highly dependent upon agriculture form regional centers of commerce that include medium sized cities. Regional economies with a mixture of agriculture, manufacturing, trade, and services creates employment opportunities throughout Georgia. Community impacts lead to statewide impacts in Georgia, as well as the entire U.S. economy. Cotton production in Georgia occurs in rural community economies that compose the cotton producing regions Georgia. For each dollar received in government payments by the Georgia cotton industry, $2.06 is generated for federal, state, and local treasuries in the U.S. economy. Without government payments, average farm income in the cotton production sector of Georgia would be -$30,840. Government payments are essential for a viable Georgia cotton industry. Economic impacts that begin with cotton production in community economies of Georgia would be lost without government payments.
