In a state where the economy is still outpacing the nation’s for the sixth year in a row, some forward thinking Georgia legislators looked to continue that growth and incent businesses to hire more employees from the state’s deep pool of military veterans. A new Georgia Veterans Work Opportunity Tax Credit (GA WOTC) has been proposed, based on the federal program.

According to militarybases.com the Peach State is home to one Marine, two Navy, three Air Force and seven Army bases. It’s estimated that there are over 61,000 active duty military members in Georgia with over 27,00 in the reserves. Many members, at the end of active service, call Georgia home as well.

Offered by Rep Karen Bennett (D) in February, Georgia House Bill 203 would provide a financial incentive for private sector employers to hire veterans who are experiencing a variety of different circumstances similar to those defined in the federal Work Opportunity Tax Credit program.

Co-sponsors currently include Georgia State Representatives Bill Hitchens (R), Calvin Smyre (D), Dave Belton (R), Debra Bazemore (D) and Gloria Frazier (D).