On April 18, 2022, Governor Brian Kemp signed into law the first military retirement income tax exemption in state history. This new legislation will keep more hard-earned money in the pockets of veterans.

With a large population of active and retired military servicemembers, Georgia recognizes the inherent value veterans bring to the community. That’s why the state is actively encouraging even more veterans to remain living and working in communities all across the state through smart policy measures.

Just recently, Georgia created the first military retirement income tax exemption in state history. Signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on April 18, 2022, this new legislation will keep more hard-earned money in the pockets of veterans. It’s also an acknowledgement of the value servicemembers bring to Georgia’s the workforce: whether that’s at a Fortune 500 company like The Home Depot, our classrooms, cybersecurity and tech companies, aerospace engineering, or beyond.

To enhance opportunities for the entire military family, another new measure will expedite the professional and business license process for military spouses. Going a step further, it will allow veterans to use their Veterans Health Identification Card when they seek the service of a public notary.

The new legislation is part of continuing efforts to demonstrate how veterans’ skills, dedication, and talent are valued in the state. Georgia is fortunate to boast the fifth largest military population in the country, with almost 700,000 former servicemembers and over 101,000 military retirees currently living in the state.

Stars, Stripes, Skills, and Education

With several thousand patriots discharged from Georgia’s eight military bases every year, veterans’ experience and knowledge are an asset when they begin a second career. And when they are discharged, the state is ready to meet them.

Georgia provides resources to retrain veterans and place them in high-paying jobs in some of the state’s fastest-growing industries. Veterans are highly sought in industries including logistics, electric vehicle manufacturing, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, technology, and defense, all of which have a robust presence in Georgia.

Georgia VECTR Center - To help meet the growing workforce demand, the Georgia VECTR Center in Warner Robins provides veterans with career training and educational resources to help guide their transition to the civilian workforce.

Technical Colleges - The Technical College System of Georgia also works with veterans to help them gain in-demand technical skills to match jobs. The Technical College System of Georgia has 22 colleges across the state, many of which have full-time veterans assistance programs and veterans coordinators.

Georgia Tech - In addition, the Georgia Tech-Savannah campus offers military programs for servicemembers, veterans, and their spouses.

When it comes to veterans, these are just a few of the state’s assets! With so many resources and programs directed at retraining former servicemembers, it’s clear that Georgia values our veterans and views them as an integral part of our state’s workforce. These highly skilled workers help Georgia retain the title as the No. 1 state for business and provide a competitive advantage for businesses in every part of the state – from the mountains to the coast.