District 62 sits near major job centers, yet too many residents are working full time and still struggling to make ends meet. Rising housing, transportation, and everyday costs have outpaced wages, leaving families without the stability that work should provide.

As a State Representative, I will fight for state budget and economic policies that strengthen wages, expand workforce pathways, and ensure economic growth translates into real stability for the people who live here—while supporting the local businesses that power our communities.

This is not just a district issue—it is a Georgia issue. When workers can’t get ahead and local businesses struggle to compete, opportunity fails to reach home.

Core belief:
Strong local businesses and strong wages go hand in hand.

Where the Gap Is

Georgia has strong economic development tools, including job tax credits, workforce boards, apprenticeship incentives, and the High Demand Career List. Yet gaps remain:

• Economic incentives do not always guarantee measurable local hiring outcomes.

• Workforce programs are not always aligned fast enough with emerging industries.

• Apprenticeship and training access varies by district and school capacity.

• Residents often lack clear navigation into higher-wage industries.

Unemployment rates may be low statewide, but access to high-wage opportunity is not evenly distributed.

We can build on what exists — and make it deliver more effectively.

Key Policy Pillars

High-Demand Skills Alignment

Strengthen coordination between schools, technical colleges, workforce boards, and employers so training programs reflect Georgia’s fastest-growing sectors, including:

• Advanced manufacturing

• Logistics and supply chain

• Clean energy and infrastructure

• Healthcare

• Skilled trades and construction

When industries grow, training pipelines must grow with them.

Paid Pathways into Local Industries

Expand paid apprenticeships, internships, and work-based learning programs that connect residents directly to employers in high-demand sectors.Wage growth begins with paid experience and skill development — not just entry-level placement.

Infrastructure-to-Employment Strategy

When Georgia invests in infrastructure, transportation, and public projects, local residents should be first in line for apprenticeship and workforce opportunities tied to those projects.

Public investment should generate public opportunity.

Workforce Navigation & Re-Entry Access

Strengthen workforce navigation services that help residents — including justice-impacted individuals — connect to certifications, apprenticeships, and stable employment.

Employment is one of the strongest drivers of public safety and community stability.

Local Hiring Transparency

Require clearer public reporting from companies receiving state economic incentives to ensure transparency around:

• Hiring outcomes

• Workforce partnerships

• Wage levels tied to incentives

Economic development should be measurable, transparent, and accountable to communities.

Statewide Impact

By aligning economic development with workforce training, expanding paid pathways, and prioritizing high-demand industries, Georgia can:

• Strengthen wage growth

• Reduce income gaps

• Address labor shortages

• Increase long-term tax stability

• Ensure growth benefits families across the state

If we want lasting stability, we must move beyond job counts and focus on skill development, wage growth, and real upward mobility.