STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) – State lawmakers are now focusing on how to bring more businesses and jobs to rural communities.

State officials representing the Georgia Rural Development Council gathered at the Nessmith Ballroom on Georgia Southern’s campus to discuss the future of growth in rural Georgia.

This included everything from film productions to more medical practices in rural counties.

One of the main topics of discussion featured a panel of film industry executives discussing the possible growth of film production and offices in rural counties.

Honnie Korngold of South Georgia Studios says filmmakers want to shoot in those areas, but something needs to be improved first.

“There was a lot of film production around us, hands-on production, but there needed to be more workforce development,” Korngold said. “There had to be potential soundstages and that sort of thing.”

Film Commissioner Joel Slocumb says with the money movies bring into one community, there’s interest from smaller communities.

“We’re talking about 15 cities outside of metro Atlanta that have come together to talk a little bit more about what we’re trying to achieve for the film and entertainment industry in Georgia,” he said. Slocumb said.

Local optometrists have requested that consideration be given to opening eye offices in rural towns.

Currently, doctors say most patients living in rural counties must travel to larger metropolitan areas to receive eye care.

“These people who have nothing have to do a lot of traveling to be able to get to the big cities and find optometry services,” said Dr. Horace Deal, an optometrist.

State officials say these are two different needs, but ones that will bring not only growth, but also a larger workforce to these rural communities.

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