Rep. Bill Werkheiser and House Special Committee on Resource Management Water Subcommittee Hold Meeting in Claxton, Tour North Bryan County Water Reclamation Facility

ATLANTA - State Representative Bill Werkheiser (R-Glennville), chairman of the House Industry and Labor Committee, recently hosted members of the House Special Committee on Resource Management Water Subcommittee, chaired by State Representative Chas Cannon (R-Moultrie), for a meeting in Claxton, located within Rep. Werkheiser's House District 157. The subcommittee has traveled the state over the last several months to evaluate Georgia's major water sources, usage patterns, data accuracy and capacity planning, while developing strategies to meet the state's future water demands.

"It was a pleasure to welcome my fellow subcommittee members to Claxton to continue our discussion on Georgia's vital water resources," said Rep. Werkheiser. "I want to thank House Speaker Jon Burns - our most policy-driven leader who always reminds us to get the facts first - along with Chairman Chas Cannon, for their leadership. I'm also grateful to Mayor Terry Branch for his hospitality and to Claxton High School's Arts and Culinary Club and Claxton Poultry Farms for their contributions to the meeting. These conversations are essential as we work to responsibly manage Georgia's water resources to support our communities, industries and future growth, and I am proud to contribute to the important work of this subcommittee."

The meeting featured testimony from agencies, state and local leaders-including House Speaker Jon Burns (R-Newington) and Claxton Mayor Terry Branch-as well as industry stakeholders, all focused on how Georgia's water resources affect certain sectors across the state.

Discussion began with the forestry industry, where Rayonier, Inc.-a timberland real estate investment trust with assets in softwood timber regions across the United States and New Zealand-noted that two-thirds of Georgia's water infrastructure originates in forests and supports much of the state's residential water use. The testimony also outlined its land-based solution initiatives, which explore alternative land uses related to water management, recharge and retention. For example, Rayonier suggested that adjusting forestry practices, such as growing fewer trees, could help promote groundwater recharge and effectively "grow more water" through aquifers.

Claxton Poultry Farms, a fully integrated, family-owned and operated company with a processing plant built in 1959 in Claxton, provided the subcommittee with an overview of how their business utilizes the state's water supply. The facility processes approximately 2,350,000 birds each week and employs 1,800 people. Claxton Poultry practices water conservation through daily monitoring of usage by area, implementing water reuse systems, turning off water when not in use and other efficiency measures. The company also highlighted that clean water is essential to their operations, underscoring the importance of maintaining, monitoring and conserving the state's water resources.

The subcommittee also examined the role of water infrastructure in supporting the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Bryan County, a $7.6 billion investment expected to produce up to 500,000 electric and hybrid vehicles annually, according to testimony from a representative of the Savannah Joint Development Authority and the Vice President of Infrastructure at Thomas & Hutton Engineering. Vehicle production began in 2024, and as of April 2025, 1,235 meta pros have been hired at the facility, and in total, the plant is projected to create approximately 8,500 new jobs. During the meeting, the subcommittee received an update on the plant's groundwater service plan, which includes a well system permitted to withdraw more than 6 million gallons of water per day to serve the 2,500-acre complex. Representatives from Thomas & Hutton Engineering and the Savannah Joint Development Authority emphasized the importance of maintaining sustainable water resources to support the facility's long-term growth and its impact on Georgia's economy.

The subcommittee also heard from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA), whose mission is to conserve and improve Georgia's energy, land and water resources. GEFA provided an update on its role in managing the state's water resources, including efforts to support recovery and strengthen water infrastructure following Hurricane Helene. Members learned that GEFA has provided more than $6 billion in low-interest loans, funded over 2,100 projects statewide and administers three main water funding programs: the Georgia Fund, the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) and the Drinking Water SRF. The subcommittee also received updates on recent investments in surface water projects across coastal Georgia, including in Effingham County, Bryan County and the City of Savannah.

Following the meeting, members toured the North Bryan County Water Reclamation Facility in Ellabell, Georgia, which receives and treats Hyundai's pretreated wastewater and stormwater.

More information about the subcommittee and a full recording of the meeting are available here.

*Editor's note: Photos of Rep. Werkheiser from the subcommittee meeting are included below.

Representative Bill Werkheiser represents the citizens of District 157, which includes Evans and Jeff Davis counties, as well as portions of Appling and Tattnall counties. He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2014 and currently serves as Chairman of the Industry and Labor Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and the Energy, Utilities & Telecommunications, Judiciary Juvenile, Public Safety and Homeland Security and State Properties committees, as well as the Special Committee on Resource Management.

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