Commissioner Comer: Ag too often overlooked in rural economic development
By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette
JAMIE COMER, COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE
Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012 – As he began his keynote speech Saturday night at the local GOP’s Lincoln Day Dinner, Ag Commissioner Jamie Comer said he was there as proof you can win in Kentucky as a Republican.
After his first five weeks in office, Comer said and his team have been busy reshaping the Department of Agriculture in order achieve the goals he has established.
Agriculture plays a larger role in the state’s economy than many people believe, Comer told his audience. “Agriculture is the most important industry in Kentucky,” he said. At $5 billion annually, it is larger than the state’s automotive industry. “It’s one of the bright spots in our economy in Kentucky.”
Comer said his goals for the Department of Agriculture include expanding markets for Kentucky farmers, enhancing rural economic development, and operating the Department of Agriculture in an open, transparent manner.
EXPAND KENTUCKY AG MARKETS. Comer said he wants to expand the current “Kentucky Proud” program, which adds value to Kentucky farm products and allows the consumer to know “Kentucky Proud” products are produced by Kentucky farmers, and the purchase helps supports Kentucky farm families.
Comer has a new director for the “Kentucky Proud” program whose background is not in farming but in fashion. “She has a lot of new ideas of how to take “Kentucky Proud” to a new level,” he said. “She’s also an expert in social media. We’re looking forward to having new ways to market “Kentucky Proud.”
Dick Floyd talks with U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie and Ag Commissioner Jamie Comer at Saturday's Lincoln Day Dinner at My Old Kentucky Home Country Club.
RURAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. Comer said he wants the Ag Department to work with the state chamber of commerce economic development agency to find opportunities to expand ag exports overseas.
“We can enhance and revitalize our rural communities if we refocus our efforts on agriculture,” he said.
Comer said the focus on economic development in much of Kentucky should focus on agriculture rather than recruiting manufacturing plants.
New factories locate in areas close to transportation infrastructure with a skilled, available workforce, and that can rule out much of rural Kentucky. Ag-related businesses like food processors are a better fit for rural areas, he said.
“We need to form a rural economic-development model around agriculture,” he said.
Ag Commissioner Jamie Comer is interviewed on-camera by Scott Cedarholm for one of the local cable TV channels.
TRANSPARENCY. After taking office one of the first things he did was to call for an audit of the Department of Agriculture.
“I believe every agency and department in state government should have an audit,” he said. “Wouldn’t you like to see an audit of the Transportation Cabinet?”
Comer said he believes taxpayers demand transparency in government, and the Ag Department’s new website will work to achieve a goal of total transparency, detailing all expenses and every revenue source.
Transparency is something he supported for state government while he was state representative. “We tried to pass this when I was in the General Assembly but couldn’t get it passed,” he said. “I want to set the example in the Department of Agriculture.”
State Rep. David Floyd listens as Ag Commissioner Jamie Comer speaks at Saturday night's Lincoln Day Dinner.
Comer concluded by calling on grassroots Republicans to get more involved in their county party organization. Kentucky needs to elect more Republicans.
The state needs a Republican governor, Comer said. Gov. Steve Beshear has no plan, no vision and no agenda. “He talks about tax reform but he has no plan, he has no jobs plan, he has nothing.”
Kentucky needs more Republicans in government in order to pass tax reform and help make the state more business-friendly. It all begins at the precinct level, where grassroots support for Republican candidates begins.
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