ATLANTA— State Representative Ben Harbin (R-Evans), Chairman of the House Music Industry Study Committee, today released the Committee’s final report.
“I want to thank the Committee Members for all of their hard work and dedication to our efforts to better understand the expanding music industry in Georgia,” said Rep. Harbin. “It was great to get feedback from professionals within this field, from various parts of the state. Based on our findings, I believe that Georgia has the potential to become an internationally recognized entertainment and media hub.”
The Committee held five public hearings throughout the course of 2013 and gained feedback from music industry professionals, as well as the general public regarding the successes and challenges that the industry faces. Hearings were held in Savannah, Athens, Macon, Augusta and Atlanta. In the final report for the Music Industry Study Committee, released today, the Committee offered several recommendations based on the feedback received from these hearings.
The Committee recommends that the state fund the development and implementation for a marketing plan in FY 15 to aggressively promote Georgia music talent, business, education and tourism, as well as the music component of the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act.
Also in this report, the Committee recommends that the state facilitate a comprehensive economic impact study of Georgia’s music industry to provide a baseline to measure future growth. Further, the Committee recommends that the Georgia General Assembly consider forming a Joint House-Senate Music Industry Oversight Committee to review the process, participation and findings of the economic impact study.
Lastly, in its report, the Committee recommends that the University of Georgia Special Collections Library examine opportunities to expand public access and extend the reach of its music-related archives through partnerships with other organizations. UGA’s Special Collections Libraries hold the Georgia Music Hall of Fame Collection, as well as a growing number of special collections documenting Georgia music and the music industry. The Special Collections Libraries also house an extensive media archive, including the Peabody Awards collection, while the Music Library and the Main Library house the University’s voluminous music-related holdings.
The House Georgia Music Industry Study Committee was created in 2013 through the passage of House Resolution 529. The Committee was formed to evaluate the issues facing Georgia’s music industry, identify opportunities and explore strategies to retain existing industry and talent and ensure future growth, investment and jobs.
This is a five person committee whose members were each appointed by Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge). The Committee was chaired by Representative Ben Harbin and also included: Representative Matt Hatchett (R-Dublin); Representative Lee Hawkins (R-Gainesville); Representative Margaret Kaiser (D-Atlanta); and Representative Brian Strickland (R-McDonough).
For a link to the Committee’s final report, please click here.
Representative Ben Harbin represents the citizens of District 122, which includes portions of Columbia County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 1994, and currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health. He also serves on the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Insurance, and Ways & Means committees.
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